12 Prom Suits for Men That Stand Out

Most guys show up to prom in a black suit. That is fine, but it is hard to stand out in a room full of the same thing. A strong color, a good fit and one small detail do more than an expensive suit.

These 12 prom suits for men cover the whole range, from a classic black tuxedo to a red jacket with sneakers. Each one lists the pieces, where it works and a cheaper way to copy it.

1. Red Tuxedo Jacket With Black Lapels

Red is the boldest color you can wear to prom, and this jacket gets away with it because the lapels are black satin. The black bow tie and trousers keep the rest of the outfit classic, so the red is the only loud thing. The red boutonniere on the lapel ties it together.

Wear it to: a prom where you want to be spotted from across the room, photos, the after party.

Swap: a black or burgundy velvet jacket if red feels like too much.

2. Royal Blue Three-Piece Suit With the Jacket Off

Royal blue is a strong prom color and it looks even better as a three-piece. Here the waistcoat is doing the work, with a crisp white shirt and a slim dark tie under it. Carrying the jacket over one shoulder makes a posed photo feel relaxed.

Wear it to: a daytime prom, a spring dance, a rooftop party.

Swap: the same suit in cobalt or sapphire if you want a slightly darker blue.

3. Camel Suit With a Patterned Tie

Not everyone wants black or blue. A camel suit is warm and easy to spot in a crowd of dark tuxedos. The patterned tie and the small pocket square add detail without making it busy, and the round glasses finish it.

Wear it to: an afternoon prom, an outdoor event, a garden party.

Swap: a tan or caramel suit in a cheaper fabric looks close enough in photos.

4. Classic Black Tuxedo, Walking

If you want the safe choice that never looks wrong, this is it. A black tuxedo, white shirt and black bow tie, worn with black shoes and nothing extra. Fit does all the work here, so the jacket should sit cleanly on the shoulders and the trousers should skim the shoes.

Wear it to: any formal prom, a black-tie dance, a dinner before the dance.

Swap: rent the tuxedo and buy only the shoes. It is the cheapest way to get this look.

5. Dark Navy-Black Tuxedo and Black Bow Tie

In soft window light this tuxedo reads as dark navy, or black with a blue cast. Midnight blue is a quiet step up from black, and it shows as a rich color in photos. The black bow tie keeps it formal, and the plain watch is all the extra it needs.

Wear it to: a formal prom, a school ball, a winter dance.

Swap: a very dark navy suit with a black bow tie looks the same from a few steps away.

6. Red Blazer, Black Pants and Red Sneakers

This is the prom look for a casual school. The red blazer has black lapels, the shirt and trousers are black, and the red and white sneakers pick up the jacket color. Cropped trousers show the shoes, which is the whole point.

Wear it to: a relaxed prom, an after party, a school dance with no strict dress code.

Swap: keep the blazer and swap the sneakers for black loafers if the rules are strict.

7. Bow Ties on a Light Blue and a Navy Suit

Two friends, two ways to wear blue. The light blue suit with a teal bow tie is soft and spring-like. The navy suit with a red bow tie and a red pocket square is sharper and more formal. Both show that a bow tie is the easiest way to add color.

Wear it to: a spring prom, a group photo, a daytime dance.

Swap: if you are going as a group, pick suits in different blues and let the bow ties set you apart.

8. Grey Pinstripe Double-Breasted Suit

A pinstripe double-breasted jacket makes a man look taller and sharper. This one is grey with thin stripes, worn with dark trousers and a slim dark tie. Dark sunglasses and black shoes keep it cool.

Wear it to: a business-style prom, a graduation dinner, a gala.

Swap: a single-breasted jacket in the same grey if double-breasted feels like too much.

9. Blue Three-Piece Next to a Navy Suit

The man on the left wears a bright blue three-piece with a white shirt, a dark tie and brown shoes. The man on the right goes all dark, with a navy suit over a black shirt and no tie. Together they show how far you can go with blue.

Wear it to: a daytime prom, a graduation party, a photo shoot with friends.

Swap: borrow the black shirt idea. It is one of the simplest ways to look different in a suit.

10. Black Tuxedo for the Evening

Under warm evening lights, a black tuxedo looks its best. A white shirt and a black bow tie are all you need. Straightening the bow tie is the pose everyone ends up doing, so tie it properly before the photos.

Wear it to: an evening prom, a ballroom, a dinner party.

Swap: a pre-tied bow tie works fine at prom. Nobody will check.

11. Bright Blue Suit and a White Bow Tie

A bright blue suit with a white shirt and a light bow tie is clean and cheerful. The graduation cap is not part of a prom outfit, but it shows how the same suit works for graduation. Plain dark shoes keep it simple.

Wear it to: prom and graduation, so you only buy one suit.

Swap: a navy suit does the same job and is easier to wear again.

12. Grey Suit, White Shirt and a Pale Tie

A grey suit with a white shirt and a pale tie is the most low-key look here. The photo is black and white, so the exact shade is a guess, but a light or mid grey with a cream or silver tie would match it. It is a good choice if you want something you can wear again after prom.

Wear it to: prom, a wedding, an interview the week after.

Swap: a plain grey suit from your closet dresses up for prom with just a new tie.

How to Pick a Prom Suit

Start with the fit. The shoulder seam should sit on your shoulder bone. The jacket should cover your seat, and the sleeves should show a little shirt cuff. Trousers should skim the top of your shoes, with a small break at most.

Pick the color for your skin and your date. Black and navy suit almost everyone. Blue, red and camel stand out more. If your date is wearing a color, ask what it is and match your tie, bow tie or pocket square to it, not the whole suit.

Suit or tuxedo? A tuxedo has satin on the lapels and sometimes down the trouser leg. It is the formal choice for black-tie events. A suit is less formal and you can wear it again. If your prom says "black tie", wear a tuxedo. If not, a suit is fine.

Bow tie or tie?

Neckwear	Best with
Black bow tie	Tuxedos, red or midnight jackets
Colored bow tie	Light blue, navy and grey suits
Slim tie	Pinstripe, grey and three-piece suits
No tie, open collar	Casual proms and dark shirts

Rent or buy? Renting is cheaper for a tuxedo you will wear once. Buy a suit in navy or grey if you will need it again for interviews, weddings or graduation. For more on shirt and tie matching, see our guide to formal color combinations for men, and for wearing a tie in a smart setting, our interview outfits with a tie.

Finish with the small things. Polish your shoes, press the shirt, and use a pocket square or boutonniere that matches your date. These take five minutes and make a cheap suit look better.

FAQ

What should a guy wear to prom? A suit or a tuxedo in black, navy, grey or a bold color, with a white shirt and a tie or bow tie. Check your school's dress code first.

What color suit is best for prom? Black and navy are the safest. If you want to stand out, royal blue, red and camel all work, as long as the rest of the outfit stays simple.

Should I wear a tux or a suit to prom? Wear a tuxedo if the dress code is black tie. Otherwise a well-fitted suit is just as good, and you can wear it again.

Can I wear sneakers with a prom suit? Only if your school and your date are fine with it. Clean white or red sneakers can work with a plain black suit, but black leather shoes are the safer choice.