Q: I have to go to a black-tie event in the Caribbean. I don't want to wear my black tuxedo, so I was thinking of buying a white dinner jacket. Should I still wear black tuxedo pants with it? And what color shirt and accessories should I use?
A: A white dinner jacket is a good choice for a tropical event. Black tuxedo pants are the way to go. You could also pair it up with some matching white trousers if they are available. If the jacket's single-breasted, you could also go with a black cummerbund and a black tie. However if it's double-breasted you can loose the the cummerbund and still pull it off great.
Q: I wore my white dinner jacket when I got married. Is it appropriate to wear it for a "black tie" wedding?
A: Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it is considered proper to wear a white dinner jacket or mess jacket in place of a black dinner jacket. So if you are to go all secret agent style on them, this is a good way to do it. However it also can all depend on where you are. Pretty much everywhere but England accepts a white dinner jacket at a "black tie" event. Just always use discretion, and if unsure, don't be afraid to ask.
Q: With a white dinner jacket, what color socks should I wear?
.A: Well, if you are going all out with white shoes, pants and jacket then follow up with white socks. But we all hope you are not. However, with the white dinner jacket, black pants and black shoes, nothing would go better then a smart pair of black socks. And don't forget, there's nothing better then a shiny pair of Oxfords to sum it all up. (Are you sure we can't talk you out of the "all-white ensemble"?)
Q: Aren’t white dinner jackets supposed to be worn during the summer only? Does it matter if it’s day or night?
A: White dinner jackets are meant for the summer season (beginning on Memorial Day) or for year-round temperate zones, like the caribbean for example. The best white dinner jackets aren’t really white—they are a sort of cream color, since wool isn’t bright white. If the jacket is really white, it’s probably polyester, a fabric that doesn’t breathe well and thus isn’t the best warm-weather option. A really nice summer alternative, (a personal favorite of mine) adopted from the military, is the white mess jacket, which is basically a tails jacket without the tails. The same rules that apply to black tuxedo jackets apply to white dinner jackets, except I believe white jackets look better with a cummerbund than a vest, and they really demand a bow tie.
We hope we were able to clear up a few questions you may have had about the white dinner jacket. Prepare your formal wardrobe for this summer by heading over to our e-store and checking out all the great deals we have.
(info collected from GQ and other sources)
Whether it's a Caribbean bash or a high class casino, few things say 
