White Tie Affair Requires Long Dress

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

If an invitation specifies White Tie, do I need to wear a long dress, or can I wear a short cocktail-type dress? Can my husband wear his tuxedo?

Signed,

Wondering

Dear Wondering,

White Tie affairs are the most formal of all the functions. Women should wear long formal dresses. Your husband should not wear his tuxedo. He needs to be in "full dress" which means a black tailcoat, black pants, and a shirt, tie, and vest that are all white.