Morning Dress is a daytime dress code and generally worn for Royal Ascot, smart weddings and funerals, garden parties and the like. Call it a ‘morning suit’ at your own peril
‘For him’…
Top hat Black or grey, top hats are optional at weddings but compulsory in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot
Shirt A turndown collar is correct here. White is generally the preferred choice of colour. A pale pastel colour may be toyed with by fashionistas
Tie Always a tie. Foulards and cravats are mainly seen at down-market weddings
Coat (jacket) A curve-fronted, tailed single-breasted number usually in black or grey. If attending Ladies’ Day at Ascot then grey is de riugeur
Waistcoat Bright colours are to be treated with care and perhaps best reserved for young, spraunchy weddings. Grey or buff/camel waistcoats are the better options. Black could be worn for very formal or sombre occasions
Gloves A bit of a nuisance but needed. The grey, white or lemon gloves are correctly carried not worn
Trousers The most important thing to remember here is that they do not match the material or design of the coat. They are held up by braces, and are usually a lighter pinstriped grey. Darker ones can look like they’ve been hired in
Shoes Formal well-polished (but not patent) black lace-ups. Brogues or loafers just will not do!
Accessories A boutonniere is permissible for the florally inclined, and a pocket-square may also be sported but probably not at the same time – that may be overkill
‘For her’…
Hats Straw hats are permissible after Easter. Fascinators remain a sartorial hot potato. Female bluffers should steer well clear of them. Even though the younger generations are slightly fonder of them, with a proper hat you will not go wrong. No hat at all and, as Samantha Cameron once found, you will fall prey to wagging tongues
Dresses For formal daywear dresses can be colourful and depending on the season will be of varying materials. White and black should be avoided for weddings: the former will clash with the bride and the latter, unless heavily broken up, is too funereal. Nothing above the knee, really
Gloves A must!
Tights Ladder-free, or else you run risk of looking like a lady of the night
Shoes These may have a heel but anything over a couple of inches is tarty and not practical for standing for long periods
William Hanson is the Etiquette and Protocol Consultant for The English Manner. He works with VIP households, diplomats, businessmen, schools and colleges and has advised multinational brands. He is regularly asked by global media to comment on modern manners and social mores
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