This petition is for Eastman/UofR students to keep the tradition of wearing Concert Attire, formally known as “White Tie”, “Evening Wear” or “Tails”. 

As of 2024, there is not much of a dress code anymore. People are wearing shorts and T-Shirts to funerals, weddings, dates and many more formal occasions. Male “White Tie” dress, also known as “Evening Wear” as we know it started to become popular in the early 1800s, being streamlined later in the 1880s. This dress code was designed for men for formal occasions in the evening. It is comprised of a tailcoat, black trousers with a silk stripe along the outer seam, white vest, white shirt, and a white bow tie which is where it got its name from. Detachable wingtip collars or “imperial” standing collars were popular at this time, but nowadays it is acceptable to wear a standard turndown shirt collar with a pleated front or bib front shirt + black shirt studs. 

This was one of the last traditional dress codes we kept alive in the 21st century. Morning wear has been completely eliminated, however black tie (also called tuxedos) is nearly there. 

The purpose of this petition is to keep this tradition alive at the Eastman School of Music. Some other professional symphonies have removed the tails requirement, but it is good practice to look good for a performance wearing a uniform that not only looks professional, but has been the preferred uniform for performances since the turn of the centry and earlier. 

If you are concerned about cost, a full tailcoat outfit is not expensive, and used options are readily available online or in second hand clothing stores. For a reference, My 113 year old full white tie ensemble cost me less than $200.

Signing this petition will ensure that students won’t have to throw away their concert attire that they have had since high school/freshman year, as well as keep a professional looking uniform alive for performances. 

-Gavin Rice