Men’s Prom/Ball Outfit Inspiration
Introduction
Formal affairs, particularly those during our formative years, are often riddled with ill-fitting rented suits, hefty tie knots and square-toed shoes. In reality, the dress code isn’t all that difficult to navigate – not the essentials anyway.
What it whittles down to is the wearing of an appropriate suit with a shirt, tie and smart shoes.Hardly rocket science. Getting the details right is what really counts, especially when looking to make yourself stand out among a sea of penguin suits.
With the basic structure of formal (black tie even more so) already set in stone, it’s important not to attempt to deviate. While some say it’s OK to break the menswear rules when you understand them, this is one instance you should not be testing the water under any circumstance.
Sneakers or a t-shirt don’t make black tie young, cool or different – just juvenile. It is the fit, colour, accessories, shoe style and shirt collar etc. that will be the defining points of your look, not your insubordinate Converse or rebellious band tee.
With all that in mind, today we’re going to take you through a selection of looks, from timeless classics to some more unorthodox takes on event dress that bend the codes without breaking them.
Traditional Outfit Inspiration
Traditional Lookbook Inspiration
Instead of boring you with endless images of a black tux with black shoes and a white shirt, we have decided to instead try to inspire with the lookbook images below.
Whether you choose to wear a classic tux with precision or simply utilise your black suit with a contrasting bow tie, pocket square or tie, it is up to you to decipher the dress code, dress appropriately and put your own stamp on your outfit:
Look One: Timeless Tuxedo
Rental tuxes often get a bad name – and for good reason, if the large number of ill-fitting examples is anything to go by. That said, spending time sourcing a flattering suit is a great solution to the black tie issue, rather than spending a fortune on a ‘non-essential’.
Pair a well fitting tuxedo with a freshly pressed white shirt and polished black shoes for the shell of a timeless look. A black tux offers a traditional option whilst a midnight blue or navy variation presents an opportunity to remove some of the penguin tag.
In this case we’ve opted for navy tailoring to complement a burgundy bow tie effectively. Finish by accessorising with a simple white-bordered handkerchief and rakish lapel pin to bring individuality and a touch of flair to your look:
Look Two: Spruced Up Suit
The tuxedo is traditionally considered quite a stiff piece of tailoring. More often than not, its only use is at a black tie party, where the bar frequently becomes your best ally in the fight to survive the monotony. Therefore, it may be worth splashing out on a slightly more versatile black suit, rather than a tuxedo rental, and simply sprucing it up a bit.
The other advantage of investing in a classic black suit is that you will get extended wear out of it well after your event. As you are likely to be moving into the world of professional employment, a black suit is versatile enough to be worn to job interviews, special occasions and everything in between.
Stick with a smart white shirt and accessorise with a printed silk bow tie to really differentiate it from customary office wear. A printed pocket square can offer a similar amount of panache as the bow tie; keep the colour similarly monochrome. Patent shoes are non-negotiable when seeking to bring the look to a sleek, sophisticated finish:
