The countdown to prom has started and the race to find the best fitting suit is on! Knowing that prom is such a memorable event, the pressure to find the ideal suit can be a bit much…. but relax and take a deep breath.
While finding the ideal suit can be a bit of a challenge, this quick idea guide will set you on the right track to quickly find a suit you look sleek, sharp, and sophisticated in.
Single vs Double Breasted
Suits jackets can come with many subtle differences. Single breasted jackets (featuring 2-3 buttons) are more favorable at the moment, though double-breasted jackets (featuring 3 rows of buttons) have been making a steady comeback.
Lapels
What is the lapel? The lapel is the folded flap of cloth on the jacket of your suit. Here are three types of lapels ideas for your suit:
- Notched
- Peaked
- Shawl/typically reserved for tuxedos
Notched Lapel Suit
The most common type of lapel you will find on a men’s suit is called the notch lapel. It’s the go to standard in suits and can be found on weekend sport-coats to formal-wear, so it should come as no surprise that the notch lapel is ideal as business attire and formal occasions, whether it be prom, or a wedding.
If you are planning to buy a suit for your prom, consider buying a notched lapel suit, as it is more versatile, allowing you to wear it to work, interviews, and other occasions down the road.
Peaked Lapel Suit
A peaked lapel is also a formal choice but is bolder. It’s flashier with a hint of bravado. A peak lapel, you see, has its edges pointing up and towards the shoulder and is feature on more formal suits often favored in executive offices and in formal events.
A peaked lapel suit requires you to dress sharp with little to no room for dressing it down. For a special night though, why not make it formal! Your date is sure to appreciate the effort!
If you’re on the shorter end when it comes to height, the peaked suit can produce a lengthening effect as it naturally draws the eyes up towards your shoulders while heavier wearers find it produces a slimming effect.
Vents
You’ll spend a lot of time fussing about how you look from the front, but the back is just as important. The vent is the slit opening on the back of your jacket and deserves your attention.
Fun Fact: Historically, this was a functional need in order to travel by horseback comfortably. A jacket can have 0 to 2 vents.
If you’re looking for a suit that will hide your rear end, then you should lean toward a center vent, for comfort and mobility go with the side vents.
Additional Suit Ideas
- Skinny Fit
The skinny fit suit provides a very smart, modern look with its very slim lapels and narrow shoulders. The short jacket length and the narrow legs make it a great choice for the slim built chaps.
- Slim Fit Suit
A slim fit suit works really well on guys that have either a slim to medium build, creating a sharp silhouette. The jacket of a slim fit suit tapers in on the waist while slimmer lapels and close fitted shoulders define the top. Trousers are also slim cut and tapered.
- Try a Tailored suit
Try a tailored fit suit if you want to accentuate your body shape but still have enough space to bust a move on the dance floor. The jacket of this suit type is nipped in at the waist and features classic lapels while the trousers are tapered. The great thing about this style is that it works for those with a slim build or a large build.
- Modern Suits
For those who like to stand apart from the crowd, consider going with a more modern version. One only needs to look as far as the celebrity award shows to quickly get a sense of how much creativity and flair you can add to your suit. Chose high contrast jackets, velvet, or even different colors.
All of these combinations are considered classics and have withstood the test of time. These are the suits that look classic year after year and won’t bring you any embarrassment when you pull the photos out to show your grandchildren.
