Prom is an American tradition dating back over 100 years. In fact, the very first one on record took place at Amherst College in 1894. Besides the funky bell bottom suits of the ’70s and the ruffled dress shirts of the ’80s, prom-going guys have pretty much always rocked largely the same style components. Tuxes, black bow ties and a fresh pair of polished dress shoes were as essential then as they are now. But if you’re new to formal dress, you may be a bit lost on all of these dressing details. In this guide, we’ll go over a few basics on what guys wear to prom to help you get the perfect look to show off in your pics and on the dance floor.
Check Your School’s Prom Dress Code
The first thing you need to do before picking a ’fit is to check your school’s prom dress code. Most likely, the dress code is formal or black-tie, but what does that mean? Formal dress codes encompass all kinds of dressier options, including dress suits, dinner jackets or tuxedos. Typically, prom dress codes are a bit dressier than homecoming or winter formal, so plan to go all out if you’re comfortable with it.
- Black-tie. If the dress code explicitly states that you must wear black-tie apparel, you’re going to want to wear a tuxedo with a bow tie. Tuxes are super common at prom, so you won’t feel out of place if you go this route regardless of if the dress code is black-tie or semi-formal.
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- Semi-formal. Semi-formal outfits are dressier than what a guy might wear to the office but not as dressy as a tux. If you want to look put together but not go ultra-formal, we’d suggest skipping the tux and opt for one of our suits or vests. Dinner jackets are also an ideal option for semi-formal dress codes.
- Dressy casual. Dressy casual can include khakis or even dark-wash jeans paired with a sport coat or suit jacket. Style it with a button down shirt or even a crewneck T-shirt for a stylish casual prom look.
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Consider the Theme
You don’t necessarily have to dress in a way that vibes with the theme of the dance, but it can serve as inspo if you’re lost on which direction to take. Some common themes include masquerade, Old Hollywood, fairytale and decade themes. If the theme correlates with a certain time period — say, the ’80s or ’90s — check out our guide to the best Y2K and 90s prom looks to take inspiration from.
Consider Matching Your Date
There’s one last thing to consider before you dive into the options. Your date may want to coordinate colors or styles, so make sure to talk to them before deciding. If you wear a tux or a three-piece suit, it’s common to match your tie, vest, pocket square and other accessories to your date’s dress. Navy is one of the most popular prom dress colors to wear and if that’s what your date is wearing, we’ve got you sorted! Check out our guide on What Color Tux To Match A Navy Prom Dress for specific ideas on how to complement her outfit!
What To Wear To Prom Guys
Now that you’ve thought through the big-picture considerations, it’s time to dive into the details. When planning your look for prom, consider the three most common options outlined below so you know what to look for when you head out to shop for or rent your outfit.
1. The Ultra-Formal OG: Tuxedos
Prom tuxedos are the most formal and dressy option, so they’re ideal for black-tie and formal dress codes. They are typically made of a high-quality material such as wool and are usually worn with a bow tie, a formal shirt and either a vest or cummerbund. Tuxedos have a few fancy trimmings that make them dressier than a typical suit, including satin trimming on the lapels, the sides of the trousers and even the buttons.
Wear this option if you want to:
- Dress as formal as possible
- Want a more classic look
- Try something you don’t normally wear
- Wear something that matches your date’s look
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If you want to keep it classic, we’d recommend going with an all-black tuxedo and pairing it with either a black bow tie and vest or a bow tie and vest that matches your date’s dress. Black and midnight blue are popular colors for prom tuxedos, but those aren’t the only options on the table. Tuxedos come in tons of cool colors — burgundy, white, gray, etc. — and even some patterns. If you want to match your date’s look, consider that we offer bow ties and men’s vests in a huge assortment of colors to keep it coordinated.
Buying vs. Renting Tuxedos
Since you’re not likely to bust out the tux very often, prom-goers typically opt for the tuxedo rental rather than buying their own. However, if you think you’ll wear it more than once a year, it may be worth your while to buy one to keep in your wardrobe. You never know when you might want to get fancy!
2. The Effortlessly Cool Option: Suits
Suits are another common option for guys going to prom. We’d recommend taking this route if you still want to look dressy but aren’t feeling the vibe of a classic tux. Unlike a tuxedo, prom suits don’t necessarily have to be worn with a bow tie and the extra components, such as the vest or cummerbund. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear a necktie with a dress suit rather than a bow tie.
Wear this option if you want to:
- Look great without going ultra-formal
- Wear a necktie rather than a bow tie
- Buy your prom look rather than rent
- Wear brighter colors or patterns
- Prefer a more modern vibe
- Already own a dress suit
How to Wear a Suit
The great thing about a suit is that it can be played up or played down, depending on the vibe you’re after. You could take a page out of Terrence J and Rami Malek’s book and rock a brightly colored suit or go classic with a black or midnight blue material. Our men’s dress shirt options are virtually limitless as well. Create a modern look and pair your suit with a turtleneck or go classic and wear a crisp white button-up shirt.
Buying vs. Renting Suits
You can either rent or buy your prom suit. But which is the best option? Chances are, you’ll have more occasions throughout your life to wear a dress suit. For that reason, you may want to consider investing in a solid suit to wear to prom and having it professionally tailored to you rather than renting one. This will ensure that you always have something nice to wear. With that said, renting is more cost-effective, so you can totally go the rental route if you prefer to save a little cash.
3. The Suave Alternative: Dinner Jackets
In addition to the tux and suit, there’s one other option that you want to keep on the table — the dinner jacket. A favorite among well-dressed guys like Daniel Craig and Jake Gyllenhaal, the dinner jacket has been called “the black-tie must-have for men.” This type of jacket differs from the standard tux or suit jacket in that it traditionally features shawl lapels that curve and have no peaks or notches. Plus, these jackets come in bold prints and patterns rather than the typical black or midnight blue.
Wear this option if you want to:
- Stand out with a fun print or pattern
- Rock a mix-and-match look with pants in a different color
- Skip the vest or cummerbund
- Go for a more modern, suave vibe
- Wear loafers rather than dress shoes
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The dinner jacket brings a modern polish with a twist, so it’s perfect for prom-goers who want to stand out and rock a style that matches their adventurous personality. Warm burgundy, unexpected jade green, cool off-white, funky florals or sharp paisley are all on the table for those who want to go the dinner jacket route. Many of the most stylish options are crafted with velvet or jacquard fabric for a little extra texture.
How to Wear a Dinner Jacket
You don’t have to wear a vest or cummerbund with the dinner jacket. A bow tie and one of our nice men’s dress shirts will tie it all together. The pants you choose depend entirely on the look you want to achieve. While it’s totally fine to match pants to jacket, it’s common for guys to wear an eye-catching dinner jacket with more subdued, contrast men’s dress pants. Oh, and don’t forget the loafers with no socks!
Buying vs. Renting Dinner Jackets
While guys were once limited only to tux and suit rentals, you’ve now got the option to rent dinner jackets as well. If you intend on making this option a part of your wardrobe for the long-term, there’s no shame in buying one either!
We’ve Got You Covered for Prom
Men’s Wearhouse is your one-stop shop for all things prom, whether you’re looking to rent the perfect tuxedo or buy a suit. No matter which direction you take, you want to make sure you focus on fit. With the help of Men’s Wearhouse’s in-store stylists or our online sizing tool, we’ll help ensure that you get the best look and the best fit so you rock prom like the tastemaker you are.