I sure don't want to sound like a Rube here but I guess I really don't know the difference between a black tie event and a white tie event. To me formal means wearing shoes that are not suitable for hiking and combing my hair.
I have a tux but that is what I wear to lodge (when I'm Master) I have a converted tux jacket for "fancy" but I've never had the occasion to have to know the difference.
With two teenagers in the house, it is unlikely that any of the above mentioned jackets, coats, coatees or doublets will be gracing my shoulders for the foreseeable future but it would be nice to know when to wear one if it should happen to magically appear in my closet.
Bob

Oh No! You folks are the ruin of me. Now I'm fashion conscious, thanks a lot!