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Dress Code | Livery companies of the City of London
The livery companies and the City of London have grown up together. They share common goals and since the earliest beginnings of the City have both been strong and active in its support. The livery companies are integral to the City’s governance: each year liverymen elect the Sheriffs of the City of London, endorse the election of the Lord Mayor and play a prominent part in major events.
Today, there are more than 100 liveries, and though trading conditions changed, since their inception, their work is as pertinent as it always has been. Different in size, structure and interests they share the same ethos: supporting trade, education, charity and fellowship, working in the best interests of the communities in which they operate. The charitable dimension of their work now amounts to over £40m each year.
Each Livery company holds various events throughout the year and with strict Dress codes to adhere to, many of our customers get in touch with Girl Meets Dress to find a suitable Black Tie gown, White Tie Dress or Day Midi Dress.
The general dress code is as follows and we have listed some useful collection pages for each section:
Evening dress or white tie
Gentlemen: Black tailcoat and trousers, winged collar shirt, white tie and white waistcoat.
Ladies: Long dress or long skirt with appropriate top, shoulders covered. Gloves may be
considered. Tiaras, if in possession.
Evening Dress Hire https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/long-dresses
Ball Gown Hire http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/ball-gowns
Dinner jacket or black tie
Gentlemen: Black dinner suit, white shirt and black tie.
Ladies: Cocktail dress, long dress or skirt with appropriate top, shoulders covered.
Evening Dress Hire https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/long-dresses
Ball Gown Hire http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/ball-gowns
Cocktail dress Hire http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/cocktail-party
Morning dress
Gentlemen: Black morning suit tailcoat with black/grey striped trousers, black or grey waistcoat, white shirt with conservative tie. Hats are not normally required.
Ladies: Suit or dress with hat as function dictates.
Dress Hire UK https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com
Dresses with Sleeves http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/with-sleeves
Hire Mid length Dresses http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/mid-length-dresses
Hire Day Dresses http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/day-dresses
Cocktail dress Hire http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/cocktail-party
Formal afternoon dress
Gentlemen: Black or grey tailcoat suit, grey waistcoat, white shirt with conservative tie. Hats black or grey are worn for Royal Ascot, Buckingham Palace visits and weddings.
Ladies: Suit or dress with hat as function dictates.
Dress Hire UKÂ https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com
Dresses with Sleeves http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/with-sleeves
Hire Mid length Dresses http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/mid-length-dresses
Hire Day Dresses http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/day-dresses
Cocktail dress Hire http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/cocktail-party
Smart casual
Gentlemen: Blazer or sports jacket; tie optional.
Ladies: Dress or trousers with appropriate top.
Dress Hire UKÂ https://hire.girlmeetsdress.com
Dresses with Sleeves http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/with-sleeves
Hire Mid length Dresses http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/mid-length-dresses
Hire Day Dresses http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/day-dresses
Cocktail dress Hire http://hire.girlmeetsdress.com/collections/cocktail-party
The invitation will specify if decorations are to be worn. Note; grey or coloured waistcoats are not worn in the City.
The livery companies are perhaps one of the last bastions of traditional formal attire,
and many of their members like it that way. It has been wittily observed that two
women turning up at the same event in the same dress are mortified. Whilst two men
at the same dinner dressed differently are even more embarrassed at their social faux
pas.
This note sets out a few guidelines, but as with all else, individual companies will
have their own practices and customs, and it may also be usefully added that livery
dress codes are now becoming a little more relaxed.
Ladies hats. It would be unusual these days to dictate whether women should or
should not wear a hat. Ladies who like wearing hats will wish to do so at daytime City church services (not after 6pm) and on other formal occasions in the City.
Livery sashes, medals, badges etc should only be worn when with the host company,
not when a guest elsewhere. Ladies livery brooches, however, may be worn as
wished.
