frackskjortan

Frackskjortan is the term used in Nordic languages for the formal shirt worn beneath a tailsuit (frack) in white-tie dress. The shirt is designed to be worn with a bow tie and a waistcoat, and traditionally features a stiff front bib and a wing or stand collar. The name derives from frack (the tailsuit) and skjorta (shirt) in Swedish and related languages.

Common variants include a bib-front shirt with vertical pleats or a smooth bib, and cuffs designed for cufflinks. Materials are usually high-thread-count cotton or cotton blends. Designs may include detachable bibs or detachable collars in historical contexts.

Historically, frackskjortan arose in the 19th century with the rise of white-tie dress codes in Europe. In Nordic ceremonial life, it has been associated with court events, state ceremonies, and formal weddings, though many people today wear standard tuxedo shirts with a tuxedo. In contemporary practice the term is used mainly to refer to traditional white-tie shirts, particularly in discussions of period costume or formalwear wardrobes.

See also: Frack, White tie, Dress shirt.