Two ways to style prom

When your teachers throw out the rulebook for a night, the last thing you want is to feel like you’re wearing a uniform. Yes, there are some black-tie rules you should probably stick to, but with a hire suit as your base, there are plenty of ways to show your personality with your styling.

Here are two ways to make a black-tie prom look your own.

A traditional tuxedo has peak or shawl lapels and satin details, making it feel more special than your usual suit. It’s best to hire one, as you could well grow out of it before you have another black-tie do.

According to the rulebook, you should complete your tux with a cummerbund, white dress shirt, bow tie and white pocket square in a straight fold. But rules were made to be broken, which is why lots of guys switch out the cummerbund for a waistcoat. You’ll still have a seamless, formal finish, but in a slightly more relaxed way.

Ramp up the personality by choosing a large bow tie or a pocket square in a rich colour, like orange, khaki or deep blue. You can also hire accessories, but there is more choice when you buy them, giving you more room to be adventurous. Plus, you can keep them as mementoes.

There is a way to do prom in a more relaxed way while still looking the part for the event.

Hire a more simple black tux with notch lapels for a more casual take on the dress code. Make it fit for the event by wearing a white dress shirt (contrasting tuxedo stud buttons or hidden buttons look streamlined). Then complete your outfit with a dress scarf worn loosely under your jacket. They come in all sorts of colours, from classic white and black to more on-trend navy and wine hues.

Choose a classic white pocket square in a straight fold or mix up your look even more with one in a puff fold and a colour that contrasts your scarf.

Okay, here’s one rule you must follow, whichever suit you choose: you must think carefully about your socks. Make sure they won’t clash with your suit or accessory choice, as they’ll be on show when you sit down. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with plain black. Or if you’re wearing trousers with a tapered ankle, you can go for loafers with no socks at all.