Nikki’s Inbox: Help! It’s Prom! (The Guy Edition)

April 16, 2010 By: Nikki 1294 Views

Dear Nikki,

I saw your post last week on helping the ladies out with prom. How about for guys? I know its considerably easier, but any tips?

Justin

HelIo Nikki,

So here’s my situation. I’m a junior this year and going to prom. I really don’t want to do the whole tux thing and I’m thinking about ordering stuff from here. My style is definitely preppy and daring, and I go for the more simple things, like J. Crew. What do you think I should do for my prom?

Cameron

I wasn’t kidding last week when I said my inbox was flooded with questions about prom problems. Thanks for reading, even though the advice didn’t quite apply to you!
Justin, you’re right about it being easier on guys, slightly! Formal menswear doesn’t have many options. A tuxedo or suit is pretty much the only way to go, and there isn’t much wiggle room for style in those two choices. If you’ve been doing your homework (and you should!), you’ll know that it’s hard to find prom advice for guys (except maybe for a small paragraph in your sister or girlfriend’s Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl and Seventeen magazines. Style blogs and magazines for men usually target an older, working crowd.
The formula from last week’s advice applies to guys as well.
  • Step 1: Find a celebrity look you think is cool. You really only have two options, the tux or the suit, so look for celebs at award shows or movie premieres. An everyday Chuck Bass for old school dapper style or a simple Taylor Lautner at the CFDA Awards? Once you’ve decided, move on to…
  • Step 2: Replicate and inject personal style. Cameron, this is where you can work a little individuality into your prom night outfit. The most important is actually…
  • Step 3: Make sure it fits. No style works on a guy if the suit doesn’t fit right. There’s nothing more camera-worthy than finding a guy dressed in his dad’s too-big suit or a brawny linebacker squeezed into an ill-fitting one.

The Tuxedo

Though the tux defines style for men, this traditional suit can be a little too much for a high school prom, in my opinion. However, every school is different and yours may be trendier. The traditional tux really falls under the Black Tie dress code, meaning single or double-breasted with any collar except notched, in black or midnight blue. A satin-faced lapel adds mature sophistication, and vents are optional. A black bow tie goes around the neck and a black cummerbund around the waist, or a simple vest (also known as waistcoat). Girls love this traditional look on guys, so it’s well worth the fuss.

The Suit Option

This is the simpler option because most guys own a suit already – an aunt’s wedding, a cousin’s bar mitzvah, an older sister’s graduation – and it’s much easier to wear. I definitely prefer it but you might want to check with your date first (because I’m not your date anyway, boohoo>. There’s nothing wrong with wearing a regular suit to the prom but you should style it well for this special event. The standard attire is a three-button suit in a dark color with matching shoes. For guys like Cameron who want to mix it up a little, the suit option is the place to start (don’t mess with the tuxedo!). Go for more trendy Hollywood styles with satin-faced lapels on single-breasted jackets. Opt for a straight skinny tie in satin to match the lapels, or one in a bold color like classic eye-catching red or preppy fuschia. Yes, fuchsia can work on guys. But that’s another column. If you opt for a waistcoat, try one with a different color to your suit; a gray goes great with navy. A pair of Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers will rock your prom look for the bold and daring, but not every guy wants to stray so far from tradition on this special night. I wouldn’t venture too far from the white shirt – it’s classically cool and can be mixed and matched while other colors like black and blue can turn you into a tacky bad boy.

The Fit

If you’re buying online, make sure it fits so check the measurements carefully. It always helps to know a good tailor to ensure everything looks good. It’s worth the time and investment, I tell you. The suit jacket fits if the shoulder seam falls a centimeter or so off your shoulder. The shirt fits if you can slip your pinky finger into the collar, meaning the shirt isn’t too loose or too tight. The suit fabric should match the weather; wool and flannel suits are very trendy now.

Have a fun time!

Nikki


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