Infographic | Your guide to the morning suit

History and Styles
Historically, the tail coat was cut this way to make riding a horse easier while maintaining a formal impression, but over the years the attire has evolved into a formal outfit for both day and evening wear. There are two types of tail suits; one is a dark evening coat which is squarely cut away from the front, the other is a morning coat which is cut away from the front in a gradual taper – the latter being the more popular of the two.

Where & How to Wear
Worn typically at weddings, morning suits can also be worn on race days since they befit its sporting origins. The jacket and trousers generally are made to match each other, with the waistcoat adding a distinctive flair to the style. They are often worn with wing-collar shirts, but they can be worn with a turned-down collar shirt and cufflinks.

The jacket is to be left unbuttoned, while the waistcoat should be fully buttoned up at all times. Colours don’t really vary away from black and grey, but some modernised traditional occasions such as weddings may be acceptable to wear navy. Patent black shoes are always your safest bet when wearing tails, although a dark brown can be appropriate when wearing navy.

We would suggest a morning suit to be worn when part of a wedding party in which men will also be wearing tails, or at an exclusive event such as the races. Just make sure you follow the golden rules and etiquette for correct wear of a tail suit and you can’t go too far wrong.