[232524]

So I have the white tie rid going, with braces, fishtail trousers, the whole gamut. The shirt & the waistcoat both have a trouser tab, which I understood to be there to keep the shirt placket & waistcoat medially aligned as well as preventing either from riding up. But what I’ve found instead is the tab forces the shirt/waistcoat to buckle whenever I bend down or sit! So why not just not use the tab? What are your thoughts?

 

[Flanderian]

So I have the white tie rid going, with braces, fishtail trousers, the whole gamut. The shirt & the waistcoat both have a trouser tab, which I understood to be there to keep the shirt placket & waistcoat medially aligned as well as preventing either from riding up. But what I've found instead is the tab forces the shirt/waistcoat to buckle whenever I bend down or sit! So why not just not use the tab? What are your thoughts?

I am mostly ignorant of formal wear, but my vague recollection is that it's purpose is to avoid the possibility of a gap between waistcoat and the top of your trousers, as well as to assure the shirt remains smoothly tucked into the trouser band. The bottom of a traditional waistcoat just "kisses" the top of the trousers, and a gap between it and the trouser band is likely to evolve with wear without such aides.