Why, yes. White tie or full evening dress is the most formal of men's dress styles, strictly regulated and consists of

- black tailcoat with silk (grosgrain or satin) facings, horizontally cut-away at the front, cut as if double-breasted but unable to close
- black trousers with a single stripe of satin or braid in the US or two stripes in Europe; trousers are fish-tail back, thus worn with braces instead of a belt.
- white plain stiff-fronted cotton shirt (usually cotton marcella)
- white stiff-winged collar
- white bow tie (usually cotton marcella)
- white low-cut waistcoat (usually cotton marcella), matching the bow tie and shirt, which should not extend below the front of the tailcoat
- black silk stockings (long socks)
- black pumps

Black tie, which is commonly referred to as a tuxedo in the US, consists of

- a single-breasted jacket with ribbed silk facings (usually grosgrain) on a shawl collar or on a peaked lapel (a notched lapel is considered incorrect).
- trousers with silk braids covering the outer seams
- a black cummerbund or low-cut waistcoat
- a white dress shirt with a marcella (piqué cotton) front and either a wing or turndown collar
- a black ribbed silk (self-tied) bow tie matching the lapel facings
- black dress socks, usually silk or fine wool
- black shoes in patent leather, or patent leather court shoes

Top hat and tails are usually worn to formal state occasions, balls, banquets and the opera. In turning up at the wedding in white tie, it could be argued that the Doctor had overdressed slightly...but he did cut a dashing figure in it.

I must confess, I don't often get invited to those sorts of dos either (well, not these days), but it has been part of my upbringing. If an invitation stipulates white tie as the dress code, a woman would be expected to turn up in an evening gown or a ball gown; if black tie, she can relax and wear a cocktail dress.

Rory, btw, was wearing a morning suit to his wedding, as is entirely appropriate as it can be worn before dark.

I love dressing up. But even so, I'm more comfortable with black tie: there's no reason a cocktail dress can't be worn more than once.

I bet that, as with the millions of other women who feel uncomfortable in frocks, you could look stunning in a (bespoke) dress, though.

Exactly. Off the rack dresses are cut to a mean or average body shape -- but most women don't have an average body shape. I, e.g. am quite top-heavy, and have wide shoulders; and so I can never find a dress that will fit over both my bosoms and my waist unless I go at least 2 sizes up; then I can fit my bosoms in, but I'm left with a surplus of material at the waist and if it has a collar, that will be too big, too.

In the past, I have worn dresses that were tailor-made for me and I looked fabulous; but when you're on an average salary, bespoke clothing just isn't something you can afford, esp. not for everyday wear. Which is why I usually wear trousers.

I can't wear blouses either, by the way. Same reason as with the dresses: can't fit them over my boobs; and if for some reason they look as if they can, they'll tear in the armpits on the first day of wear.

Can't wait!

I'm so glad you asked this!

I love that you know these things. I wish I did, and had been exposed to them. However, I honestly don't think there will ever be a time in my life when I will *need* to know this. I am still glad that I can say I do now.

I had spent a lot of time and money on what I WAS wearing, however, and as I was travelling, I think people either cut me some slack, or dismissed me as an uncouth Australian.

Oh, that would have been extremely bad form if they had had that last thought! Isn't it more likely that they thought you looked lovely, and that you WERE lovely?

So how would they have known me to notice one way or another?

There you are, then. Proof you fitted right in (blended in with the background).

Well, unless he changes into his usual costume before the TARDIS deposits the team at their Christmas destination, he should still be in his tails (having earlier discarded the top hat) he wore to the wedding.