Prom Suits
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Index - Prom Suits: 1. Basic Shapes of a Suit 2. A Perfect Suit Outfit Consists of: 3. General Fitting Advice 4. Fitting Advice for the Suit Jacket 5. Fitting Advice for the Suit Trouser |
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The prom suit is very elegant, but not as traditional or classic as the tuxedo.
Of course, you may wear a suit for your prom night and may even look better in it than a tuxedo.
Although, it is just a matter of taste which outfit suits you best.
Following, you will learn the most important details of a prom suit and you will receive expert advice for the perfect fit.
Basic Shapes of a Suit
Single-breasted prom suits have one button row on the front with two to four buttons.
They are the most common style for dress suits.
They usually have a regular lapel collar (notch reverse collar).
Double-breasted prom suits have two button row on the front with two to three buttons on each row.
They are the most elegant style for dress suits and usually have a peak lapel collar.
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A Perfect Prom Suit Outfit Consists of:
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- a single- or double-breasted suit jacket - a suit trouser in the same colour than the jacket - a suit vest - a dress shirt - elegant patent leather shoes - a neck-tie or a bow-tie |
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General Fitting Advice
The most important element of a dress suit is the fitting.
A prom suit with good fitting and a not-so-high quality fabric should be preferred to a suit with bad fitting and a high quality fabric.
A suit with a good cutting shape should be natural: it should accent a man's figure and correct real problem zones in a decent way.
A man with a small frame should wear a suit with a slender cutting shape, minor or no shoulder pads, a narrow lapel and a trouser cut close to the leg.
A man with broad shoulders and an atlethic frame should also wear a suit without shoulder pads.
A man with a burly frame should renounce on any extension or broadening by the cutting shape of the dress suit.
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Fitting Advice for the Suit Jacket
Collar:
The collar of the suit jacket should end at the middle of the neck without standing away from it.
See that there is no fabric wrinkling up underneath the collar in the back part.
Lapels:
The lapel should lay flat and roll smooth on the opening line (neckline) above the upper button.
If the lapel gapes open, the jacket is too small in the back part and in the chest.
Shoulders:
The shoulders should sit straight with no pulling and they should not stand off too much.
If there is any pulling or pressure on the shoulder, the jacket is too small.
Body Part:
The jacket of the suit should not fit too slackly.
If the fit of the jacket is too tight, it creates horizontal lines on the back part, it pulls on the hips and opens the back vents.
When you try on the jacket, you should raise and lower your arms in order to see if the jacket moves back to the right fitting place without having to fix the fit position.
Make sure that the armhole is wide enough to move your arms comfortable.
(Please note that jackets with a good fitting shape are always not as comfortable as jackets with a bad fit!)
The curves on the waist of the jacket should fall smooth without making any pleats or crinkles.
Hem:
When you look at the hem from the side, it should be straight all around and fall in a nice round shape.
Make sure that there is no part standing off and that the hem line has a smooth run all around.
Sleeves:
When your hands hang at your side and your arm is slightly bent, the sleeves should just cover your wrist bone.
Buttons:
If the suit jacket is fastened, you should be able to sit down comfortable.
If the jacket is too tight, the fabric will make pleats in the shape of an x pattern going out from the upper button.
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Fitting Advice for the Suit Trouser
Waistband:
The waistband should make no gapes on your waistline and you should be able to put a finger between your body and the waistband.
There should be no pulling on the closure hook or button.
Try also to sit down and see if you feel comfortable.
Bottom:
Your trousers should not bag underneath your bottom or be pulled up too tight.
If you must compromise, you should choose the looser fit for your evening outfit: the trousers will fall more smooth and straight and give you a decent appearance.
Pockets:
Most of the different pocket styles should lie flat and be closed if you are standing.
The lining should be invisible and the shape of the pocket should run in a smooth, straight line.
Side Seam:
The side seam is very important on a trousers look.
The side seam should run in a straight smooth line from the waistband to the hem.
There should be no puckering or pulling along the side seam.
Inside Seam:
The inside seam should also run in a straight, smooth line without any puckering or pulling.
The area of the crossing seam between your legs should especially feel comfortable without any pulling or pushing when you stand or sit.
Crotch Seam:
The best tip for the fit of the crotch seam is just to make sure it feels comfortable when sitting and standing.
If the crotch seam hangs too low, it will shorten the length of your legs and look unfavourable.
If it sits too high, it can be very uncomfortable and look even coarse.
If you try on the pants you should sit, stand, dance and move to see if they feel comfortable and you should pay special attention to the area of the crotch seam.
Legs:
The style is most dependant upon the shape of the legs of your trouser.
The most important for the shape is the knee width and the hem width.
Creases:
If you are wearing trousers with a front crease, the crease should hang right down the middle of your leg.
If the crease line falls outside of the middle of your leg it looks unfavourable.
Also take care that the intensity of the creases stays consistent all over the length of your trouser.
Otherwise, it will give the trouser a sloppy appearance.
Hem:
The width of the hem is very important for the style of the trouser.
For your evening wear we suggest choosing a trouser with a hem width which is close to the knee width or tighter.
The correct length of your trouser is also a very determining factor for a good appearance.
Make sure that you always wear the shoes you will most often wear with your trouser you try on; the height and the width of the shoe style are especially important.
A trouser which is a little bit too long is better than a too short one.
Walk around and also check the length from the back in a mirror while standing straight.
The hem should touch your instep in front and cover half of your heel on the back.
If you wear trousers with a turned up hem you should consider that your legs appear shorter than without a turned up hem.
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