The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-29
A CLOTHES DECISION.
TrappIngs OF King Edward VII. at . Dinner
Attended by Men Only.

To THE EDITOR OF TIVE SUH-.Sr FIX
Governor Francis Of Missouri has come back
from Europe. where he had been ptnnlng badges
on a few Kings, and he says that King Edward VII.
az a dinner attended by men only. wore Q Tuxedo"
or dinner jacket" q white waistcoat and a white
necktie. The trousers were not men toned In the
report. but assume that they were black.
II is comforting to have this thing settled once
and for all. that Is. mill King Edward sees At TO
wear a SKY blue neckue with a dinner coat; then
the admirers OF correct dress will be all al sea again.
Every expert In dressing recalls, not without a
shudder. that King Edward appeared at a famous
racetrack wearing a derby hat with a frock coat
Some few ventuTesome spirits followed his exam
pie. but the traditions OF political greatness in the
United States were TOO strong for them and the
plug" hat held Its own, Even IN England the
King 8 Innovation was not received with enthusiasm
and Bntons con tlnuc to wear frock coats In com
blnA ton with top hnts even In June and July. They
have taken to wearing straw hats In recent years.
but only with slck coats. The high hat goes with
the frock cost In England just as surely as soda
goes with brandy.
1t seems plain. though, that the wearing of a white
waistcoat and a white tie with a dinner tacke 4"
was not meant by the King 20 be n monetary
freak. He has done II before. II appeal n. and he Is
going TO do II again. Now, In this country II has
long been held to be the EXTREMIST evidence of a
want OF acQuain lance with the art OF dressing TO
wear a white tie with a Tuxedo coat. White
ties and walstcolts were for a lolg time reserved
for exclusive association with the full dress or
swallOwtall coit. The rule was subsequently, so
nodded that a man might put Oh a dinner Jacket
with q white waistcoat. but he stu had 10 wear a
black tie.
The reason is not far TO seek. The Tuxedo or
dinner coat is, after all, only a subterfuge. a tailess
pretence. made to LOOK like the real thing when
the weareT OF II Is sitting at a dinner or In a theatre.
To avoid Seeming to attempt the deception Of an
Innocent public the wcarcr was expected to ad-
vcTtise by means OF the blatant black tie the fact
that he was Wea ring a taillesS coat and that he Wn a
doing 50 without any desire for concealment. This
stern verdict of fashion ultimately brought the
dinner coat into disrepute. IL ives read ont of
women's society, Tciegated 10 stag Affairs. to the
club. the political conference and piobeian resorts
where wine" Is opened between meals.
That was a pity. for after all the dinner coat
Is a comfortable and sensible garment. especially
bliLated II. He has proclaimed to the world its
true USE and Its proper accompGniments Of cos
tune. liza dinner coat may be worn at the table
OF a King. when the dinner is informal. II may
certainly be worn nywhere else In similar condl-
lions. Furthermore, n King Edward. who has
always been regn ried aE one OF the most tasteful
Of all men In matters Of dress, has ssen nt 10 wear
with . dinner coat . white waistcoli and a white
tie. that ought to settle the vexed u~uCstlOl for
Americans who pride themselves a. following the
manners and custom Of the BRUSH sEells in these
things.
Mr.. Francis, however. neglected 10 state whether
his Majesty also wore a large. fat watch rhaIn
streaming from one pocket DT the w~aistcOlt to the
other. Did that 60 out with the black tie and
the highly essential black Waisicoat7 or did the
King never sport that variety % ornament at all,
Let US hope that he did not, for In spite OF the One
neld for It's display which his MaJcsty's ample front
would afford sIch an attachment. cvery one knows
n can AFFORD a watch, even Il there be no visible
E idencr Of Olc. J. 10. W..
Nav YORK. September ~.