A tailcoat is a formal jacket with a front that cuts away at the waist and two long panels, called tails, that hang down the back. The tails typically reach to about the knees, giving the coat its distinctive appearance and name.

Tailcoats were everyday wear for gentlemen in the 1800s, but today they're reserved for the most formal occasions. Orchestra conductors often wear them while leading performances. At a white-tie wedding or formal ball, men might wear tailcoats as part of their evening dress. You'll also see them in old-fashioned stories like A Christmas Carol, where Ebenezer Scrooge might have worn one to his office.

The coat creates a dramatic silhouette, especially when someone bows or moves quickly and the tails swing behind them. Magicians performing traditional stage magic often choose tailcoats because the tails add flair to their movements and the coat's many pockets help conceal props.

The formal version is usually black or midnight blue and worn with a white vest and white bow tie. There's also a morning tailcoat, which is gray and worn for daytime formal events. Either way, when you see someone in a tailcoat, you know the occasion is exceptionally formal.