Dinner Jackets
White dinner jackets have been a formal wear option in warm climates since the 1930s. It is an exquisite dress typically worn during summer months (from Memorial Day to Labor Day). Dinner jackets are also a classic dress for formal nights on cruises. Most dinner jackets worn today are single-breasted with a shawl-style lapel that is self-facing. A self-facing lapel or collar is the same fabric as the rest of the jacket. You will note that tuxedos have a satin lapel instead of the self-facing lapel.
Though we refer to these as white dinner jackets, they are available in white and off-white (or winter white). Since wool cannot be woven in pure white, all better dinner jackets are made in an off-white or ivory color. However, many men require a pure white dinner jacket for fraternal groups, orchestras, etc., so we offer them. If you plan on wearing a dinner jacket to a formal function, we suggest you wear the off-white option. All dinner jackets should be matched with black formal tuxedo trousers, a white tuxedo shirt, a black cummerbund, and bow tie. Yes, even if you choose the off-white jacket, your shirt should definitely be pure white.