Unless your prom has a strict dress code, you’ll have the choice between wearing a suit and a tuxedo. So what’s the deal – they’re both pretty smart, right? Yes, but put simply, one is more formal than the other. The main difference is satin: tuxedo jackets have it and suit jackets generally don’t. But there are a few other things to know before you pick a side.

NICKNAME

Whistle and flute

AT A GLANCE

Smart, but not overly formal. A prom suit gives you lots of freedom to express yourself, with all sorts of fabrics to choose from and plenty of ways to style it.

WEAR WITH

Anything, really. On the more dressed-up side of things, wear with a formal shirt, tie, pocket square and polished shoes. But if you’re happier in casual kit or want to stand out, try a Cuban collar shirt in a can’t-miss-it print and trainers.

KILLER MOVE

Once prom’s nothing but a great memory, a suit can be dusted down and worn again for an interview or your next special occasion.

NICKNAME

The penguin suit

AT A GLANCE

Peak formal. Traditionally defined by sleek satin lapels, a wing-collar shirt and bow tie, a prom tuxedo will also probably have a satin-covered, single-button fastening and it might even have a matching satin stripe down the side of the leg. But our Moss London tuxes and jackets also come in bold colours and metallic fabrics that’ll light up the dancefloor.

WEAR WITH

For classic style, add a dress shirt, black bow tie, black patent shoes, silver cufflinks and a smart dress watch. After something more modern? Ditch the accessories and take the floor in a statement tuxedo jacket.

KILLER MOVE

Ever heard of the tuxedo effect? It’s the idea that when you wear a tuxedo, you’re instantly more attractive. While we can’t promise success with your crush at prom, a pin-sharp tuxedo’s going to go a long way to help.

Think of it this way: your suit might be the hero in your prom outfit, but even the best heroes have a partner in crime. A great prom shirt will make your suit look its best, playing a support role to your overall look. Sometimes it’ll even steal the spotlight. Either way, the two need to work together to get the best results.

Here are four winning suit and shirt combinations to get you going.

Bold, but surprisingly easy to pull off. This season’s graphic-print shirts might seem a little daunting for some, but wearing one with a suit in a very similar shade streamlines the look because there’s less contrast. It also keeps the focus firmly on your statement shirt with only maybe a patterned pocket square to add a shot of contrast colour.

A classic black tux is supposed to be worn with an impeccably pressed white dress shirt and, really, they don’t look as suave with anything else. But this is prom and you’ve got years of sticking to formal black tie rules ahead of you, so feel free to throw a more casual shirt into the mix. It should really still be white for the full tuxedo effect but forgo the traditional bib version in favour of a stud-buttoned one and leave it unfastened at the collar for a more relaxed take.

Gone all out with your jacket? Then you’ll need a solid foundation piece to support it. This prom jacket ticks off metallic brocade cloth and a large-scale floral motif in one – that’s already a lot for any look, so you’ve got to be careful not to stray into ‘too much’ territory. A black shirt is suitably simple but will feel more nighttime-appropriate than a white one, or lean into the gentleman’s lounge look with a block-colour rollneck instead.

It doesn’t get much fresher than a tropical floral pattern. Except a tropical floral shirt paired with this season’s freshest pastel suiting. You don’t need them to match but you’ll want to pick a floral pattern with similarly toned shades to your suit. In this case, the shirt’s pink and red motif complements the suit’s pink cloth, while the high-contrast base colour adds impact.

Got your prom suit sorted? Good. Now for a lesson in accessorising. Note-taking is optional but a well-rounded prom look is essential.

The list of bow tie wearers is a long one, from old Hollywood movie stars to current red carpet regulars and, of course, just about every James Bond ever. In other words: it’s shorthand for suave. Usually worn with a tuxedo, as shown here, but equally as stylish with a three-piece suit. Go for a pre-tied bow tie for ease or, if you’re up for the challenge, here’s how to tie a bow tie from scratch.

Tucking a pocket square into your top pocket is one of the easiest ways to take your look from so-so to sharp. Choose one that complements but contrasts with the colour of your suit. Extra marks for pattern-clashing with your shirt. And while we’re on the subject, there are loads of ways to fold your pocket square, but these two are a good place to start.

Kim and Kanye. Chris and Kem. Suit and tie. There are some pairs that are just meant to be. If you’re wearing a tie to prom there are few things you need to remember. Your tie should be a similar width to your lapels (so a skinny fit suit gets a skinny tie, a mid-width lapel needs a tie that’s little wider). As for colour, you can go one of two routes. For a pulled together look, choose one that’s a similar shade to your outfit. For a bolder look, pick one that’s a contrasting colour, as shown above. Either way, make sure your tie is always darker than your shirt.

We’ll shout about the importance of accessories any time, any place, but sometimes simple really is best. See our boy above – he’s already got a sharp suit in this season’s pastel blue and a graphic print shirt. Anything extra would just be a distraction from a strong look. The lesson here? If you think it looks too much, it probably is.

But even though it’s pre-tied, you’re still going to have to adjust it to fit your neck. Here’s how it’s done.

SHOP BOW TIES

First up, a brief intro on all the parts of your bow tie. Clip A is a T-shaped bar at the end of the strap that goes into the slots on the back to adjust the fit. Clip B is a movable bar on the strap that you’ll connect to clip C, a hook on the back of the bow itself.

1. Take clip A and fold the bow tie’s strap back on itself to a length that will fit snugly around your neck, with clip B at the end

2. Fix the length by sliding clip A into one of the slots on the back of the strap

3. Hook clip B onto clip C to secure your bow tie. If it’s too loose or tight, move clip A into a neighbouring slot to adjust the fit

Once your bow tie’s on, adjust its sides and plump them out a little. A flat bow tie is a sure giveaway that it’s pre-tied. There’s no shame in a pre-tied bow tie but a little artful illusion never hurt anyone.

If you search ‘how to tie a tie’ on YouTube, you’re going to get more advice than anyone’s got time for and loads of different knots to confuse you. Save yourself the bother. As a young guy, the four-in-hand knot is your best bet. Also known as the schoolboy knot, it’s the easiest of the bunch but looks just as good as any other if you get it right.

Here’s how to do it in six steps.

Meet the pocket square: a simple square of fabric that takes an average outfit to something much sharper. There are loads of ways to fold your pocket square, but these two are a good place to start.

Looks fancy, is actually really easy. Most pocket square folds are all about symmetry but this one’s much more low maintenance. It looks best casually ruffled to show off a brightly coloured pattern.

1 – Lay the square on a flat surface
2 – Pinch the square in the middle
3 – Then twist about halfway down
4 – Tuck into your pocket

Basic, but in a good way. The straight fold is crisp, clean and usually worn with a formal tuxedo. It’s also a good option if there’s already a lot of pattern or detail in your suit. Usually seen in white, but also works with other plain colours.

1 – Lay the square on a flat surface
2 – Fold the square in half
3 – Then fold it into thirds
4 – Tuck into your pocket with about 1cm of the folded edge showing at the top

If you’ve gone to the trouble of getting a sharp suit or tux for prom, you don’t want a crumpled shirt to let the side down. And while your mum or dad might usually do the ironing, you’re getting ready to be a man of the world now so you should really be able to it yourself.

So this is it: here’s how to iron your prom shirt like a pro.

Start easy: plug in the iron. You’re going to need to select a setting, so read your shirt’s label. Cotton or cotton-blend shirts can take higher heat, but something with polyester or spandex might be a bit more delicate. If in doubt, pick a low setting and move up if you need to.

Shirts always get ironed from the collar down. Lift the collar up and iron the underside from one tip to the other. Then flip the shirt over and repeat on the outside.

Unbutton your cuffs and repeat the process above, ironing them on the inside and then the outside, pressing any wrinkles out towards the edges. Never iron over the buttons as they can leave a mark on your shirt – iron around them instead.

Unbutton your shirt and lay one side of its front flat on the ironing board, with the rest hanging off the side. Start ironing at the shoulders and work your way down, pressing creases out towards the sides. Again, avoid the buttons and iron carefully around them instead. Give the placket (that’s the strip your buttons are on) extra attention as it’ll be the most visible part of your shirt when you’ve got a jacket on. Repeat on the other side.

Flip your shirt over and lay it with the collar nearest the pointy end of the ironing board. Start with the yoke at the top (that’s the panel that covers the back of your shoulders), and work your way down to the bottom.

Lay the sleeve down the length of your ironing board, ensuring it’s nice and flat. Iron from the shoulders down to the cuff. You don’t really want a crease down the side of your arms, so make sure you concentrate on the middle of the fabric and stay away from the edges. As usual, repeat on the other side. And, you know, the other arm.

Iron slowly, but not so slowly that you burn your shirt. Burns are not a good look.

A pair of prom shoes can last you a lifetime, but not if you knock them about.

Like anything worth keeping, you’ve got to treat them right. It’s simple, really. These are the four steps you need to know.

The key to crack-free, shiny leather shoes is a good old moisturise. First things first, remove the laces (you don’t want polish on them). Next, wipe away any surface dirt with a brush. Then apply leather conditioner to an old t-shirt and rub in a circular motion to fill in any cracks.

Choose a cream or wax based polish in a shade that matches your shoes. If in doubt, go lighter, unless you want to completely change the colour. Apply the polish in a circular motion, then buff vigorously with a brush and leave your shoes to dry.

Grab that old t-shirt again and dab some polish on it, and add a few drops of water onto the leather. Next, you’ll need a bit of elbow grease. Polish the water away until you’ve got a smooth, shiny, mirror-like finish.

It’s time to admire your handy work.

Whether you’re the groom, best man or a guest, spring is a great time to experiment with SS19’s colour trends. You can still pull off the darker hues as the temperatures are not too high, yet the lighter, brighter days mean that pastel shades are a great option too. Whatever your preference, we have something to suit everyone so you can really make it yours while still looking and feeling great.

The colour experts at Pantone® state that the colours of SS19 “reflect our desire to face the future with empowering colours that provide confidence”.  Who doesn’t want to look and feel confident at a wedding? They’re a great excuse to dress up in our increasingly casual culture, so we’re going to run you through some of our top colour picks for the season and how to wear them. Although the preparation might seem like work, weddings are meant to be a celebration and, of course, fun so what you decide to wear should be too.

Making multiple appearances at the men’s shows in both NYC and London, sage green is up there as one of the colours of the season. This more muted shade of green is a stylish choice for spring weddings. It’s a subtle way of adding a bit of colour into your wardrobe, without losing the refined look. The natural hue pairs brilliantly with floral prints in pastel shades or other earthy tones like grey, light brown and beige. Create a relaxed look by teaming your suit with an open-necked shirt paired with brown Derby shoes, or if you’re going for a more formal look, opt for the matching waistcoat and add a tie.

POWDER BLUE