How to Dress For Prom | A Young Man’s Guide To Formal Menswear (2024)

Keep it great, keep it ageless; and keep it elegant.

These are every one of the three aspects of a similar thought — that you need to resemble a man who took control of his garments, not a man whose garments got hung over him by a relative or a rental tux salesman.That implies avoiding the pompous contributions you'll see a great deal of spots. Regardless of whether you go for a tux or a suit, abstain from anything — genuinely, anything — that arrives in a sparkling, plastic-like, brilliantly shaded texture. Rather, deck yourself out in the ground-breaking polish of high contrast. With only a couple of elegant contacts of shading all over you'll be an amazing option to the folks in the goofier, curiosity style "formal" pieces of clothing.

Secondary School Prom - Young Man Style Advice - Dressing Sharp On Prom Night - Fashion Tips

For most prom you'll have two fundamental clothing regulation alternatives:

Prom suits True Black Tie: The Semi-Formal Option

What a great many people call formal wear is really semi-formal, and it implies a tuxedo coat and dark tie furnish. Sensibly, your prom won't be a strict dark tie occasion. It's difficult to hold a horde of secondary school understudies to that standard, to express nothing of unjustifiable to understudies who don't have the assets for a detailed rental outfit.

Yet, it will absolutely be an alternative at most proms, and for a person who needs to look fiendishly sharp it's as yet the best decision out there. By dressing to genuine dark tie models when the vast majority of your friends are in more outfit like articles of clothing you're certain to emerge.

You won't have any desire to purchase a tuxedo at this phase of your life — despite everything you're developing, and they're costly articles of clothing to supplant. Rather, you'll be leasing.

A Man's Guide To Black Tie

Make it unmistakable at the rental store that you need appropriate dark tie clothing, including the accompanying:

Prom dress ideas1. The Jacket

Tuxedo-style coat in plain dark with either topped lapels or a shawl neckline.

The lapels can be looked in dark silk or left indistinguishable surface from the coat, however the previous is progressively conventional and somewhat more honed looking.

In the event that you plan on wearing a boutonniere blossom (which I suggest), ensure there's a working buttonhole for it.

2. The Trousers

Coordinating dark in indistinguishable material from the coat.

There ought to be a stripe of glossy silk (a similar silk that is on the lapels) down the outside of every pant leg. They ought to be held up with suspenders, not a belt, and the pants ought to have tabs for the suspenders inside the belt.

You don't need the less expensive metal clasp style of suspenders appearing underneath your coat while you move.

Formal outfits

3. The Shirt
Plain white with a stiff vertical band (called a placket) in the center where the sides join. The buttonholes will be holes on both sides, fastened with studs rather than sewn-on buttons.

Cuffs should be French-style. The collar can be either a basic point collar (like you would see on most good dress shirts) or the raised wing-style collar with stiff, elevated points.

4. The Tie
A plain black bow tie. Take the extra five minutes to learn how to tie one yourself, rather than using a clip-on.

It's about as easy as tying your shoes, there's easy how-to guides online if the rental outfit doesn't come with one (Wikipedia alone can get you through it), and it'll look much better. People will notice.

Dress shoes for prom

5. The Shoes
You could rent formal pumps to go with the outfit, but if you have a pair of plain black dress shoes of your own I'd recommend shining them up and wearing them instead.

A night of dancing is a tough way to break in shoes you've never worn before.

6. The Waist
You can wear either a vest or a cumme*rbund. Either one is fine, but plain black satin is preferable for both. You can wear a colored cumme*rbund, but if you do, stick to very dark and sober colors.

Bright colors look terrible. A colored vest of any kind is too much — if you opt for a vest, stick to black.

7. Accents
You can usually select your shirt studs and cufflinks from several options. They should either match or be complementing, such as plain black shirt studs and gold-and-black cufflinks. Never mix silver and gold metals in the same outfit.

For a touch of color, consider adding a boutonniere — a plain red carnation is always striking, or you can talk to a florist about a matching boutonniere-and-corsage set for you and your date.Just stick to ones with a single flower for you; gentlemen should never be wearing a bouquet on
their chest.

If this sounds a little too restrained to you, think again. The elegant simplicity of the black tie outfit brings out everything that goes with it.

A single flower becomes a vivid accent; a darkly-colored cumme*rbund is suddenly a bold fashion statement. And, most importantly, it means that you and your date — not your gaudy outfit — will be the center of attention.

Prom outfits

Dark Suits: The “Black Tie Optional” Alternative
Unless your school specifies in explicit terms that you have to wear black tie, you can treat prom as a “black tie optional” event.

That means that instead of wearing a tuxedo you can wear a plain, dark suit with a white shirt and a colored tie.

This is often a more affordable option (particularly for sons lucky enough to fit in their father's business suits), and it gives you a little more leeway to add colored elements, particularly the necktie.

Just exercise restraint — you'll look better in a simple dark suit with a nice muted tie in the same color family as your date's dress than you will wearing wild patterns and neon colors.

It isn't as striking as black tie, but a good suit (especially one that fits well) will still set you apart as one of the sharper-dressed young men at the prom.

A Word on Matching Your Date
Try not to get talked into matching outfits. A little complementing contrast between you and your date is a good thing.

If she's wearing a light blue dress, a dark blue boutonniere flower on your tux or a navy-and-gold necktie with your suit is more than enough of a nod to her choice. You're trying to look like two charming young people, not a wedding cake topper.

It's easy to get talked into some of the big fashion mistakes of prom — wearing bright colors, breaking the black tie rules, and matching your date too closely — but this is a great chance for you to take charge of your own outfit and stand out on your own.

Whatever you choose to wear, good luck — and remember that the most important part of your outfitis your demeanor and your respect toward your peers and your companion for the evening.

How to Dress For Prom | A Young Man’s Guide To Formal Menswear (2024)

FAQs

What is the dress code for prom men? ›

Q: Do I need to wear a tuxedo to prom, or is a suit acceptable? A: While a tuxedo is the traditional choice for prom, a well-fitted suit can also be a stylish option for a semi-formal or co*cktail attire event. Consider factors such as personal preference, dress code, and budget when making your decision.

What is formal dress code for young men? ›

As a rule of thumb, if an event calls for formal attire, it's going to be fancy, and you don't want to stick out as a slob in a crowd of well dressed men. Traditionally, men's formal attire indicates a black tie event, which means a black tuxedo and a tuxedo shirt, and there's very little wiggle room around it.

What is formal attire for prom? ›

Prom is a formal event and you are expected to wear formal attire. Formal prom attire may be classified as a dress, tuxedo, dress suit, including a tie or bow tie, a dress shirt, which may include a vest or cumme*rbund, and dress shoes. Dresses may be strapless (if they fit properly) or include spaghetti straps.

What is men's formal attire? ›

For formal events, men should always opt for a suit or tuxedo. Tuxedos tend to be favored at many events, especially if the invite includes a phrase like “black tie optional” or “black tie preferred,” but suits are usually acceptable.

How to dress for prom as a guy? ›

WHAT DO YOU NEED?
  1. Suit or Tux: It's prom—polo shirts are not okay.
  2. Tie or Bow Tie: Which one is up to you. Bow ties work best with tuxedos.
  3. Dress Shirt: White is the way to go. If you wear a tux and bow tie, try a tuxedo shirt.
  4. Black Shoes: Shiny patent leather is great for a modern outfit. Black leather works, too.

What is not appropriate for prom? ›

o Prom attire should reflect more a formal family occasion (like a wedding) rather than a night on the town or at a dance club. o Dresses that are too revealing, are skin tight or form-fitting, expose midriffs or cleavage, or are too short in length are not appropriate.

What qualifies as formal attire? ›

Black tie refers to a very specific type of dress, with tuxedos and bow ties for men and floor-length gowns for women. The term “formal attire” is more general, relating to smart suits, shirts, dresses, blouses, and other items. Somewhat paradoxically, general formal attire is less formal than black tie.

What is the smart formal dress code for males? ›

Formal does not mean boring. It means a button up shirt with some sort of neck item (bow tie, tie, scarf, etc) a jacket, smart pants, and shoes. As always, you've got your accessories to really help you stand out and feel like you're making a statement.

What color is formal dress code men? ›

Single and double-breasted waistcoats paired with a single-breasted suit is a classic that never goes out of style. Deep greys, burgundy, navy or dark blue make excellent formal options. Color wise, you can't go wrong with classic black, grey or navy paired with a crisp white button-up.

What shoes do guys wear to prom? ›

For shoes, consider pairing loafers or oxfords with your suit or tuxedo; if you're going for something more casual then sneakers will do just fine (just make sure they're clean). Don't forget about jewelry either–a simple watch or bracelet is all you need to complete your ensemble!

Do guys still wear tuxedos to prom? ›

Unless your prom has a strict dress code, you'll have the choice between wearing a suit and a tuxedo. So what's the deal – they're both pretty smart, right? Yes, but put simply, one is more formal than the other. The main difference is satin: tuxedo jackets have it and suit jackets generally don't.

What is the difference between a formal dress and a prom dress? ›

Schools encourage wearing formal attire like long evening gowns, tuxedos, or suits. Prom dresses are typically floor-length and can be found in a variety of silhouettes and colors.

What is formal vs casual for men? ›

While formal shirts are generally quite fitted and have long tails, casual shirts are shorter and cut to give a little more room. This is because unlike formal shirts, they are usually left untucked and worn more casually.

What is proper dress code for men? ›

Smart Casual dress code outfit:

✔ Button-up dress shirt, polo shirt, formal sweater, or solid t-shirt. ✔ Dress pants, slacks, khakis, corduroys, or jeans. ✔ Dress shoes, loafers, brogues, boat shoes, or fashion sneakers. ✔ Black or colorful dress socks or ankle socks. ✔ Suit jacket, blazer, or sports jacket (optional)

What coat to wear with formal dress men? ›

What coats can be worn over a suit?
Type of CoatWorn with a Suit?Occasion
Mac CoatYesFormal, Business
ChesterfieldYesFormal, Business
TopcoatYesFormal, Business
RaincoatYesCasual, Business
16 more rows
Jan 18, 2024

Do guys have to wear a suit to prom? ›

Unless your prom has a strict dress code, you'll have the choice between wearing a suit and a tuxedo. So what's the deal – they're both pretty smart, right? Yes, but put simply, one is more formal than the other. The main difference is satin: tuxedo jackets have it and suit jackets generally don't.

What can men wear to prom besides a suit? ›

Lastly, if you want something more relaxed, then you can opt for a khaki pant or chino paired with a dress shirt or button-down shirt and blazer. No matter which option you choose, make sure that it fits properly so that you feel comfortable throughout the night.

What is the guy supposed to do for prom? ›

Rent A Tuxedo or Press Your Dark Suit

Guys luck out at prom and don't have to agonize over what dress to wear or worry about whether John is wearing the same black tux. The traditional prom look for guys is all the same: A black (or sometimes white) tuxedo rented from a local formalwear shop.

What do boys wear to a school prom? ›

A prom suit is ideal if you want a smart and modern look on the big night. Choose either a 2- or 3-piece suit (a waistcoat being the third piece), and what colour and cut you want: either skinny, slim or tailored.

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