best bib and tucker

Idioms  

1. One's finest clothes, dressed up, as in The men were told to put on their best bib and tucker for the dinner dance. Although wearing either a bib (frill at front of a man's shirt) or a tucker (ornamental lace covering a woman's neck and shoulders) is obsolete, the phrase survives. [Mid-1700s] For a synonym, see Sunday best.

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Example Sentences

Melbourne proudly put on its best bib and tucker for the local girl who made good.

From Time Magazine Archive

At four o'clock Andy and Hortense, in their best bib and tucker and with clean smiling faces, knocked at the door of the little cottage beyond the orchard where lived Fergus and Mary.

From The Cat in Grandfather's House by Grabo, Carl Henry

"Sure, child; wear your best bib and tucker, if you like, but I like you better in your play-clothes."

From Marjorie at Seacote by Wells, Carolyn

She came down stairs one evening arrayed in her best bib and tucker, and was speedily joined by John, whose appearance likewise indicated some approaching festivity—all but his face, which wore a rather disgusted expression.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science Volume 11, No. 25, April, 1873 by Various

I was listening to every word you said, and I've got my best bib and tucker in that hand box.

From A Texas Matchmaker by Adams, Andy