What coat with white tie?

[Edward]

I'm keen on an opera cloak for a victorian vibe with white tie, but what sort of out garment should I wear with white tie in winter for that noir / golden age look? Is an opera cloak still appropriate, or should I be looking for some form of overcoat?

 

[Hal]

outer coat with evening wear

Surely this is the time for a formal black overcoat, of appropriate weight for the season. Apparently older manuals of etiquette insisted that an overcoat should always be worn with evening dress, but that would seem "overkill" in summer.
The members of the Hat forum will, I'm sure, be ready to advise you on the correct headgear.

 

[Peacoat]

I'm keen on an opera cloak for a victorian vibe with white tie, but what sort of out garment should I wear with white tie in winter for that noir / golden age look? Is an opera cloak still appropriate, or should I be looking for some form of overcoat?

I am assuming that you will be wearing a black coat with tails along with the white tie. For outerwear, the only item I have ever seen worn with "white tie and tails," is a formal overcoat. Not a regular overcoat, but one made especially for formal wear. An Opera Cloak may still be worn in London, but I doubt it. Not ever having been to an opera in London, or even worn white tie there, I can't speak from experience. Maybe someone else on the board has firsthand experience. I think your best bet is the formal overcoat.

 

[Edward]

Thanks for the replies. Yeah, the opera cloak is really a thing of the past - from what I can make out, they were worn on occasion by folks in the 20s / 30s but they were old fashioned then - really for more a victorian look.

Naturally, I'd be wearing traditional evening tails with it. I have a couple of sets of modern tails which I want to have relined (one notch lapels, one with the shawl collar which is a nice alternative) as they have that awful modern style where the lining stops at the waist - hey, they were cheap and bought for costume pieces! My real love though is a geuine 1930s tailor-made tailcoat, made by a tailor in London's cheapside. Beautiful, not a mark on it, and I got it on eBay for £50. First vintage tailcoat I ever fonud big enough for me - I'm only a 42R, but folks were tinier back then!!

By "formal black overcoat" I presume you mean one of those overcoats with satin lapels? Any idea where I might begin to find such a beast?

 

[Peacoat]

The type coat you are looking for is a Chesterfield top coat (named for the Earl of Chesterfield, of course). It is a grey herringbone with a black velvet collar. Although, a black , or dark grey, overcoat with a black velvet color would probably work just as well as an alternative. Many retail stores that carry formalwear will also carry the topcoats.

This isn't the season to be looking for overcoats, so I can't be of much help. I believe mine came from Jos. Banks or Brooks Brothers. But as those stores are both in the Colonies, they won't do you much good.

I know that Banks has a mail order business, and Brooks Brothers might, as well.

 

[Edward]

The type coat you are looking for is a Chesterfield top coat (named for the Earl of Chesterfield, of course). It is a grey herringbone with a black velvet collar. Although, a black , or dark grey, overcoat with a black velvet color would probably work just as well as an alternative. Many retail stores that carry formalwear will also carry the topcoats.

This isn't the season to be looking for overcoats, so I can't be of much help. I believe mine came from Jos. Banks or Brooks Brothers. But as those stores are both in the Colonies, they won't do you much good.

I know that Banks has a mail order business, and Brooks Brothers might, as well.

Ah! Thanks - it's really useful to have a specific garment type name like that when I go looking. I know what you mean about being out of season, though I find that's always the best time to keep an eye out on the likes of eBay - less competition from other bidders!