By: Josean Vélez Betancourt
A few weeks ago, the city gathered for a gala that celebrated one of Puerto Rico’s greatest cultural treasures. The Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra was the guest of honor, honored for its enduring contribution to the island’s artistic identity.
The evening carried the essence of refinement: an atmosphere filled with conversation, connection, and the shared appreciation of culture. More than a social gathering, it was a tribute to the musicians and the institution that continues to elevate Puerto Rico’s place in the world of the arts.
White Tie: A Dress Code with History
A night honoring the Symphony calls for a dress code worthy of such distinction, and nothing embodies prestige and reverence more than White Tie. The origins of White Tie can be traced back to the early 19th century in Europe. Around the 1810s and 1820s, the tailcoat began replacing the frock coat as the preferred evening garment among the English aristocracy. By the mid-19th century, White Tie, defined by a black tailcoat, white waistcoat, and white bow tie, had become firmly established as the standard for formal evening wear across Europe’s royal courts and high society.
For over a century, it was the attire worn to the opera, the symphony, grand balls, and diplomatic dinners. Even as Black Tie emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, as a more relaxed alternative, White Tie remained the unchallenged symbol of ultimate formality. Today, it is reserved for the most exceptional occasions: state banquets, Nobel Prize ceremonies, royal weddings, and cultural galas where tradition is honored.
The Elements of Elegance
White Tie is more than clothing; it is a ritual of precision. The black tailcoat, cut short at the front and sweeping long at the back, is paired with a stiff-front white shirt and a winged collar. A low-cut piqué waistcoat and the emblematic white bow tie add distinction, while high-waisted trousers with satin stripes, shoes polished to a mirror shine, and an impeccable fit to complete the look. Each element reflects centuries of refinement, echoing an era when elegance was an art form in itself.
Why It Still Matters
White Tie is not simply about tradition; it is about respecting the gravity of an occasion. At the Symphony Gala, it served as a sartorial statement that moments dedicated to honoring heritage deserve nothing less than the highest level of elegance. In a world where dress codes are increasingly relaxed, the choice to embrace White Tie underscores a desire to preserve culture, ceremony, and the rituals of refinement.
Leonardo’s Role
At Leonardo 5th Avenue, we see formalwear as more than attire, it is a way of expressing reverence, confidence, and timeless style. For a gala where the Symphony stood as guest of honor, White Tie offered the perfect expression of elegance in harmony with culture.
White Tie is not just a dress code. It is history, art, and elegance woven into one. And at Leonardo, we
make sure it is mastered.
