Get Fresh for Prom and Award Season
Fit is everything, especially in formal wear. As a celebrity style strategist, I am all about you expressing yourself and being an individual—except when it’s time to dress up. On those nights, keep it clean and classic.
Suit vs. Tuxedo
If you’re going to buy a suit, make sure you’ll be able to wear it over and over again. You can create new looks by changing your shirt, tie and pocket square combinations. For formal events like prom, you may want to wear a tuxedo. If you were in your mid-20s, I would suggest you purchase one, but if you’re still growing, rent one instead.
Color Choice
Stick to basics. A black, navy or dark grey suit and either a black or navy blue tuxedo will go a long way and should last as long as you can fit into it. Don’t deviate.
Silhouette
Choose a two-button suit or tuxedo. A three-piece suit (including a vest) can let you have a James Bond moment. If this is your first suit or tux, keep it classic and go with a notch lapel. If you are fashion-forward like Tom Brady or LeBron James, go for a peak lapel, which literally has peaks or points.
Shirts, Ties & Bow Ties
Pair a crisp white shirt with classic collar and a black bow tie. If your dress shirt has French cuffs, you’ll need a pair of cufflinks. If you wear a tuxedo shirt with your tux, no ruffles please! Opt for clean, narrow pleated tuxedo details.
Bring Some Personality
If your prom date is wearing yellow, wear a tie, pocket square, socks or even shoelaces of the same color. Pick only two accessories and don’t go overboard. For evening awards ceremonies and dinners, wear pale spring shirt colors like purple, grey or pink. Your tie should have a shade of that color in it, but choose a cool pattern.
Shoes
If you’re wearing a tuxedo, go patent leather lace-up. Choose black or dark brown shoes with a grey suit. For a blue suit, opt for a dark brown shoe. Pair black shoes with a black suit. If you can pull off sneakers, choose kicks with a slim silhouette like Chuck Taylors or shell toe adidas.
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Get Fresh for Prom and Award Season
Fit is everything, especially in formal wear. As a celebrity style strategist, I am all about you expressing yourself and being an individual—except when it’s time to dress up. On those nights, keep it clean and classic.
Suit vs. Tuxedo
If you’re going to buy a suit, make sure you’ll be able to wear it over and over again. You can create new looks by changing your shirt, tie and pocket square combinations. For formal events like prom, you may want to wear a tuxedo. If you were in your mid-20s, I would suggest you purchase one, but if you’re still growing, rent one instead.
Color Choice
Stick to basics. A black, navy or dark grey suit and either a black or navy blue tuxedo will go a long way and should last as long as you can fit into it. Don’t deviate.
Silhouette
Choose a two-button suit or tuxedo. A three-piece suit (including a vest) can let you have a James Bond moment. If this is your first suit or tux, keep it classic and go with a notch lapel. If you are fashion-forward like Tom Brady or LeBron James, go for a peak lapel, which literally has peaks or points.
Shirts, Ties & Bow Ties
Pair a crisp white shirt with classic collar and a black bow tie. If your dress shirt has French cuffs, you’ll need a pair of cufflinks. If you wear a tuxedo shirt with your tux, no ruffles please! Opt for clean, narrow pleated tuxedo details.
Bring Some Personality
If your prom date is wearing yellow, wear a tie, pocket square, socks or even shoelaces of the same color. Pick only two accessories and don’t go overboard. For evening awards ceremonies and dinners, wear pale spring shirt colors like purple, grey or pink. Your tie should have a shade of that color in it, but choose a cool pattern.
Shoes
If you’re wearing a tuxedo, go patent leather lace-up. Choose black or dark brown shoes with a grey suit. For a blue suit, opt for a dark brown shoe. Pair black shoes with a black suit. If you can pull off sneakers, choose kicks with a slim silhouette like Chuck Taylors or shell toe adidas.