The three-way suit

The familiar sight of dolled-up juniors and seniors crowding hotel lobbies tells us that prom season is upon us again.

In conjunction with this comes the question of what to wear to the party, a question asked not only by the ladies, but by young men as well. After all, dressing up for one’s prom is as much a rite of passage as going to the prom itself.

For many, this will be the first time they will have to wear a suit to attend a fancy function.

Questions will arise: what style to choose, how does one wear it properly, and what’s it going to cost? In line with this, I have prepared some basic guidelines to help the guys look great, and dress the part for the prom.

This article will also show how one good suit can be worn three different ways, thereby stretching its usefulness and wearability.

Classic contemporary

Take the same suit, pair it with a button-down shirt and necktie, and you have transformed it into a less formal, yet still dressy ensemble worthy of the event. Make sure that your pieces work well together. For example, a narrower necktie will not look good with a spread-collared shirt.

Timeless  traditional

Traditionally, formal events require wearing black tie. In its strictest sense, this means wearing a tuxedo. Choose a tux that flatters your figure and hides your flaws. Part of the fun is choosing the details. Here we have used a peaked-lapel single-breasted tuxedo-style suit and paired it with a traditional wing-collar tuxedo shirt and bowtie. Cummerbunds and waistcoats are optional for a super-trad look, but here we have kept it clean and more modern.

Casual chic

Using the same jacket, we paired it with a dapper French-cuffed shirt, no tie and dark denims for a more casual yet still fashion-forward look. Make sure the jeans are on the dark side so they look dressier and more up to date.

A few handy tips to get you prom-ready

Good grooming is the foundation of looking great for every occasion.

Grab some skincare products that will work well for your skin type.

Basics include a good cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Zirh has a wide range of these products for men.

Avoid those shiny-faced photos by using a mattifier like the Anti-Shine Refresher from Shiseido.

When in doubt, take it out. Avoid unnecessary accoutrements that scream fashion victim. You don’t want to look back at your prom photos and laugh at how dated your outfit was. Timeless trumps trendy.

Mind your manners. Not only will it impress your date, but showing good manners always separates the men from the boys.