four in the afternoon in morning
On the other hand , if you are asked to come an hour or two before sunset , after six in summer , in the autumn after five , you can not err by appearing in evening dress . It is always taken as a compliment to do so , and if your acquaintance with your hostess is slight , it would be almost a familiarity to do otherwise . In any case you desire to avoid singularity , so that if you can discover what others who are invited intend to wear , you can always decide on your own attire . In Europe there is a convenient rule for these matters ; never appear after four in the afternoon in morning dress ; but then gray trousers are there allowed instead of black , and white waistcoats are still worn in the evening . At any rate , it is possible to effect a compromise between the two styles of costume , and if you are likely to be called upon to dance in the evening , it will be well to wear thin boots , a black frock-coat , and a small black neck-tie , and to put a pair of clean white gloves in your pocket . You will thus be at least less conspicuous in the dancing-room than in a light tweed suit . `` Not so the distinction to be made according to size .