The Complete Prom Style Guide For Men

Prom is a huge milestone in any young man's calendar. It's also the perfect opportunity to showcase your personal style with a brand-new outfit, but we know it can be difficult finding the suit to do just that.

Not sure where to start? Need some style advice? Suit up with confidence with our expert guide to choosing and styling your prom suit. We’ll help you find a sharp fit, a style that suits you, and give you top tips on how to match your accessories to your suit.

The Basics

Step 1: Choose Your Suit

The first step is knowing what kind of suit you want. Go full-on formal in a tuxedo, keep it smart with a three-piece suit, or stick to the classic suit jacket and trousers for a slightly more relaxed style.

Tuxedo

Want to go all out? A tuxedo is a strong choice for formal evening occasions or a black tie dress code. You’ll usually find tuxedos in black, but navy, dark green and cream are an increasingly popular choice if you’re looking for a real head-turning moment. A tuxedo is similar to a classic suit but with a silk lapel, buttons and sometimes with a silk stripe on the side of each trouser leg.

A tux is traditionally worn with a bow tie or tie, and a crisp white double-cuff shirt, fastened with cufflinks. Wear with a matching waistcoat or cummerbund (a type of waist sash) for a clean and ultra-sophisticated look.

Two-Piece or Three-Piece?

A three-piece suit includes a jacket, trousers and a waistcoat, whereas a two piece suit is a jacket and trousers combo. A two-piece is great if you want a more relaxed style and plan to dance the night away, but if you want to take it up a notch and make the most of a formal dress code, go for a three-piece.

Double-Breasted Suit

For the fashionistas among us, a double breasted suit jacket features two columns of buttons rather than one. It’s smart and structured, and is currently enjoying a style resurgence. Wear buttoned up for maximum impact.

Just a Blazer?

If you’re really not a suit kind of guy, a blazer and suit jacket with smart chinos or tailored trousers can look great too. The dress code may ask for a suit though, so it’s always good to check first. While prom is an opportunity to dress up in your finest formalwear, it’s important that you feel confident too, so don’t be afraid to break with tradition if the dress code allows.

Step 2: Choose Your Fit

Getting the right fit makes all the difference. Here's how to figure out what works best for your body shape.

Slim Fit

A tapered modern fit that sculpts the body with narrow shoulders and slim sleeves. The trousers sit slightly lower at the waist and cut a slim line from thigh to ankle. For a clean and modern silhouette without being too tight, slim fit is your top choice.

Tailored Fit

Next up from a slim fit is a tailored fit. It’s got more room in the shoulders and waist, but is still cut closer to the body than a regular fit. The trousers are subtly tailored from thigh to ankle - a tailored fit is balanced but smart.

Regular Fit

A regular fit is a traditional style, and the loosest of all the fits. It’s a classic, flattering cut, with more room through the body and legs, featuring a slightly higher waist and a straight leg.

Skinny Fit

A skinny fit is the most fashion-forward of all fits, and is best suited to lean frames. Very popular with prom and graduation-goers, a skinny fit sits close to the body with narrower shoulders and slim sleeves. The trousers are more tapered through thigh to ankle for a skinny silhouette.

Big & Tall

We’ve got a great range of suit sizes in big, tall and short for jackets and trousers that are properly tailored to your proportions. These are ideal for if you need extra room in the chest and arms, or need to make sure your sleeves and hem sit where they should!

Step 3: Choose Your Colour

Your prom suit is the perfect opportunity to make a style statement, so don't be afraid to go all-out on a style or colour you haven't worn before. Keep it classic in black, add texture with tweed or go bold with light pastels.

Here are the colours that you’ll be seeing everywhere in Spring & Summer 2025:

Classic Shades

Black, navy and grey always work - they’re classics for a reason and easy to style for future occasions so your suit doesn’t end up being a one-year wonder. For a small pop of colour, add a bowtie and complimenting pocket square in burgundy, dark green to your outfit, and let the suit do the talking. Pair with black brogues and a white dress shirt, and you’re onto a winner.

Our Picks: The Limehaus black slim fit with added stretch is a formalwear essential that will see you beyond your prom for years to come.

Perfect Pastels

Soft shades like powder blue or light pink are fresh and on-trend for spring and summer 2025. Neutral shades like ecru and beige also make a great lighter choice, especially when paired with a tie in a contrasting pastel colour like peach, champagne or sage. Smart brown shoes or loafers will match any pastel suit perfectly. Try a light blue suit with a pale blue shirt, or soft greys paired together. Keep accessories in the same colour family or skip the tie for a more relaxed, confident look.

Our Picks: The Ted Baker sharkskin suit in rose is a stunning addition to a young man’s wardrobe, perfect for a summer prom!

Tweeds and Checks

If plain doesn’t feel right, try a subtle check or bold tweed pattern. It’s a great way to add personality into your suit with textured fabric and a nod to heritage style while keeping it current. Pair with a plain shirt and brown or tan brogues.

Our Picks: Try the Antique Rogue grey monochrome check or the Marc Darcy blue herringbone tweed for a step up from plain grey or blue.

Go Green

Green suits are having a moment, especially given there's an array of shades and cuts to choose from. Are you more mossy green, or bottle green? Green suits are also easy to style and offer a modern take on classic black or navy. Style with a matching green tie or contrast with dark rust or champagne.

Our Picks: We love the Antique rogue deep green texture suit - it allows you to showcase your individuality without straying too far from the crowd!

Step 4: Choose Your Shirt

Make sure your shirt fits the same way as your suit. A slim-fit suit needs a slim-fit shirt. A regular suit? Go regular on the shirt too.

Formal or Casual?

Formal shirts have structured collars and usually work best with a tie. Casual shirts tend to be softer, sometimes with prints or button-down collars. For prom, most guys lean formal, but if you're skipping the tie, a softer shirt can still look polished.

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How to find your size

Finding a suit that fits can feel like a daunting prospect, but it doesn’t have to be with Suit Direct.

Get Measured In-Store

The easiest way to find your size is to visit your nearest store for a free consultation and style tips with our friendly team. Once you know your size, you can get shopping with confidence!

Book an appointment

Use Our Handy Size Guide

Ordering online? Our handy size guide contains everything you need to make sure your suit fits perfectly, including how to find your jacket, shirt and trousers measurements.

Already know what size you are? Great - time to get shopping!

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Styling

How To Accessorise Your Prom Suit

Accessories can make or break any outfit, especially on prom night. For the best in men's accessories, look no further than Suit Direct's variety of standout pieces. From smart shoes to classic pocket squares, a polished look is all in the detail.

Got a date? Coordinate with your date; choose a tie, pocket square or shirt that complements your date's outfit or the theme of the prom.

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Ties & Bow Ties

A classic black tie or bow tie works with everything. Want to mix it up? Go for a knitted texture, a pastel tone or a subtle print that ties into your shirt or pocket square.

Pocket Squares

Add a pocket square into your jacket chest pocket for a burst of colour that will level up your entire outfit. There’s a general saying that your pocket square shouldn’t match your tie, so we recommend going for a contrasting colour. If your suit is plain, opt for a subtle pattern and vice versa - it can be tricky to style clashing prints.

Cufflinks

Wearing a double-cuff shirt? cufflinks are a must-have and a great way to pack a subtle statement. Choose from silver, gold or add extra personality with a silver stag head design.

Shoes

Smart brogues or loafers are a solid bet. Want something a little different? A clean pair of smart trainers could work - just make sure they’re fresh and match the prom dress code. Whether you opt for smart brogues or laid-back trainers, this is your chance to show off your personal style and treat yourself to a brand-new pair of shoesfor such a special occasion.

Socks

There’s nothing worse than a grubby sock to spoil the vibe of your perfectly curated outfit. If you want to go the extra mile, match your socksto your tie or pocket square, or simply stick to black, navy grey or white. The smallest of details can make a big difference!

Ready to Shop?

Now that you’ve got some ideas, it’s time to make it happen!

Or book a fitting in-store for a little expert help.