The White Dinner Jacket
03. Jan, 2009 
4 Comments
Miss A’s favorite Bond, Sean Connery in 1964’s Goldfinger in a classic tuxedo.
Dear Miss A,
I have a question about what a man can wear to a black tie wedding in January. My husband is thinking of wearing a white dinner jacket with a black bowtie and cummerbund. Standard etiquette would discourage wearing the white after labor day, does this rule apply. What are your thoughts?
Thanks,
What Should He Wear
Dear What Should He Wear,
I think that there are many who just think of a white dinner jacket as an alternate color option to a black jacket. To understand the etiquette, you need to know the history behind the white dinner jacket. Back in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the white dinner jacket emerged as a way for wealthy vacationers (not everyone could afford to travel in those times) to dress formally in warm climates without having to endure the heavy and dark-colored fabrics that were standard for evening wear at the time. New technology has allowed for lighter weight black tuxedos, and many argue that above the Mason-Dixon line, men should stick with the traditional black tuxedo that our friends in London wear regardless of season.
As you can see, if you aren’t in the tropics and it isn’t Summertime below the Mason-Dixon line, then you should NOT wear a white dinner jacket. Please note that when I write “white”, I don’t mean white white, I mean more of an off-white, Winter white. You don’t ever want that fake white in a white dinner jacket.
I hope this helps! Enjoy the wedding!
(Pictured bottom right: Humphrey Bogart in 1942’s Casablanca…clearly in a tropical climate! Note the shawl collar which is more casual and befitting of a White Dinner Jacket.)
- Miss A
I’m annoyed by inappropriate dress. Such tuxedos are for summer properly. I can wear one 10 months a year in Houston but rarely if ever here in San Francisco.
Is it proper to wear a white dinner jacket in the summertime to a “black tie” event?
My friend who is 95 years old wants to wear his white dinner jacket to my granddaughter’s afternoon wedding. I said it wasn’t appropriate but he insists that is his desire. I said o.k. since at his age he should be able to wear it if he is so determined. We really don’t think it will matter about whether or not it is appropriate