Excited for Prom?
Prom night is fast approaching and it’s probably going to be the biggest night of your life so far as a teenager.
With that in mind, the pressure is on when it comes to whipping up a memorable prom outfit.
And we hear you: we want to make sure you will look impeccable on that night and be the best dressed gentleman in the room!
Highly formal events like prom definitely calls for strict formal dress codes. But it’s also meant to be a fun occasion to celebrate the end of secondary school or exams. So, you would want to wear something that’s party ready, too!
Now, fun yet formal? Nothing rings the bell for us other than waistcoats!
Waistcoat is a great garment that can be the centerpiece of your ensemble. It can give you a more stylish look with very little effort, keeping your silhouette cleaner than if you simply wore a dress shirt.
All you need to do is to make sure you buy a well-fitted men’s waistcoat for you, and know how to style and wear it with confidence. Here’s how:
Right Fit is Key
Getting the perfect fit will make or break your whole ensemble. If your waistcoat doesn’t fit properly, you won’t achieve your aim of looking smart and tailored.
If it is too tight you will look like you are wearing a corset. Now, that’s not the right way to match your date!
And if it’s too loose, you will look bigger than you actually are — who wants that?
So, here are some key points to consider when picking the right fitting waistcoat for you:
The armholes should be slightly higher and a close fit around the shoulders and torso. You should be able to move around and lift your arms without totally exposing your shirt underneath.
There should be no pulling at the buttons or around the back, as well as the opposite problem which is extra fabric that will make you look sloppy.
Your waistcoat should be cut and rightly fitted just around your midsection to accentuate broader shoulders and tinier waist.
How to Style a Waistcoat for Prom
Now that your waistcoat fits you perfectly, it is time to bring in the accessories! Here are a few of our favourite men’s essentials and styling tips on how these accessories can turn your look incredibly smart and sleek.
- Tie or Bow Tie
On deciding whether you’ll be wearing a classic necktie or a more conventional bow tie, it’s just a matter of personal style and preference.
A slim tie will make you look a lot thinner and taller since it will have an illusion of clean vertical line from your neck, down your chest. While a bow tie will broaden your shoulder and better frame your face.
READ: The Right Tie Length
But as a rule of thumb, always make sure to find the perfect bow tie shape and right tie size for your body frame and face shape.
- Cufflinks
A great way to show your transformation from a school boy to a dignified and well-dressed gentleman is your transition from cute buttons to the ever sleek and smart cufflinks.
It is also a fun way to show a bit of your personality in a subtle yet elegant way. You can play with colours and patterns to match your waistcoat while still looking all formal.
- Pocket Square
This is where the fun starts. With tons of colours, patterns, and textures available for you to choose, picking the perfect pocket square can be a bit confusing.
As for starters, there is actually no problem if you just want to blend in and opt for simple yet elegant white handkerchief.
It is a simple yet classy way to show that you know what you’re doing but that you prefer to stay within the lines.
But if you’ve got a brave heart, go get yourself a patterned one or even a solid coloured pocket square and have it folded in the most extravagant style!
READ: Here’s a comprehensive guide on 11 Ways on How to Fold a Pocket Square by DQT.
To Match or Not to Match
After choosing who you’re going to take to prom (and luckily she said yes), it is time to decide whether or not you’ll have matching outfits.
Below, we have put together a quick list of things to consider if you want to coordinate your look with your date:
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Exact Match: The key here is asking your date the exact colour or the specific shade of dress she will be wearing. Then find either a tie, bow tie, pocket square, or cufflink that will match it.
- Complementary Colours: Instead of an exact match, you can consult the colour wheel and get a colour that complement your date’s outfit.
Get a quick understanding of matching colours and patterns here.
- Think Out of the Box: An overly common outfit for teenage girls during prom is a princess ball gown that is usually made of tulle fabric. You can wear a cravat to match your waistcoat for that medieval or regal theme she’s going for.
Most girls also wear flower crowns as an accessory for that fairy-like dress usually made of flowy fabric, and with that you can totally rock a floral tie or bow tie.
So there you have it, lad!
That is pretty much everything you need to know and with that, we have high hopes that you’ll be able to choose what to wear and be confident on that special day!
Just don’t forget to have fun, and always be yourself no matter what.
Get all your prom needs only here at DQT, we will never disappoint, as always!
