Dress codes are adhered to more strictly in Cambridge than in many chiller places. That said, Christ’s is less strict about this than many other colleges.

“Real” Black Tie

This has a very strict, codified meaning depending on which gender you wish to present as:

• femme: A floor length formal dress, made of an “evening appropriate” material such as velvet, silk, chiffon or lace.

• masc: A dinner suit (distinguished from a normal (lounge) suit by shiny, burnished lapels and a similarly burnished strip down the pant leg.

“Cambridge Black Tie”

When people say “Black Tie” in Cambridge, the meaning is generally significantly relaxed. Lounge suits in any dark fabric are perfectly acceptable.

What will I use this for?

• May Balls: Almost all require real black tie. Some (Peterhouse, Magdalene) require white tie.

• Superhalls and special occasions (e.g. Bridgemas): Generally Cambridge black tie.