White Dinner Jackets

[Anonymous]

Is this n actual thing? White jacket and black pants for dinner? I saw it on Bravo's Southern Charm and it's the first time I have ever seen men dress like that for dinner. They look like waiters.

Is it a Southern custom or do WASPs everywhere do the white dinner jacket thing? What kind of dinner parties are appropriate and what aren't?

I've lived in DC for ten years and never seen this...

[Anonymous]

The only time I've seen this is Navy officer's dress uniform. Otherwise I think its silly.

[Anonymous]

My father got married in a white jacket, black pants. Old New England WASP but not sure if that had anything to do with it.

[Anonymous]

PP here. A bit of history on the white jacket http://www.blacktieguide.com/Classic/Warm_Weather.htm

[Anonymous]

Normally events here are black tie. Many men own tuxes but not that many own white DJs nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's a real thing. White tie is more formal than black tie. I grew up in the south.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My father got married in a white jacket, black pants. Old New England WASP but not sure if that had anything to do with it.

So did my dad. When I got married this is what I wanted DH wear but we had a daytime garden wedding so it didn't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's a real thing. White tie is more formal than black tie. I grew up in the south.

White tie is more formal than black tie, however white tie is not the same as white dinner jacket. White tie is a tail coat, white "vest', and a white tie. The shirt is a little different than a standard tux shirt, too.

During the summer months (Memorial Day to Labor Day), gentleman may wear a summer dinner jacket, either white (cream really) or a plaid.

A waiter's jacket should be shorter and trimmer than a dinner jacket anyhow.

[Anonymous]

Is this only in the South? Do they do this in New England and DC as well? What about California? And Europe?

[Anonymous]

You wouldn't do it for a morning event, and you probably wouldn't do it for an evening-only indoor event. It's ideal for an afternoon garden thing or something that has outdoor cocktails segueing into dinner.

[Anonymous]

They looked like waiters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's a real thing. White tie is more formal than black tie. I grew up in the south.

Me too. New England WASP here. Lots of weddings where groom/groomsmen wore white tie. Benefits as well, if they are super fancy.

[Anonymous]

So what's the difference between white jacket and seersucker? I thought seersucker suits were also meant for warm summer afternoon garden parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My father got married in a white jacket, black pants. Old New England WASP but not sure if that had anything to do with it.

Same. Seems it was very popular in the 70s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what's the difference between white jacket and seersucker? I thought seersucker suits were also meant for warm summer afternoon garden parties.

I think seersucker is more informal.