I have to buy a suit for semiformal, and prom. I figure it's gotta last me.

[simms]

So, It's that time of suits and tuxes, etc. I've got semi and prom coming up, any idea what colours I should wear? I don't know what my date's wearing... (partially cos prom isn't here yet, and no one's asked) so is there a good combination of colours to get that usually is safe? Black? Interchangable with a tux as long as I switch the bow? (See LordJezo's post below)

Oh. Should I get a tux for prom? Or not..and just stick with the suit?
^see... is this just a stereotypes that proms need tuxes? Some of my friends have gone in suits. But I think it's a tux..

editWhat's the difference between a suit and tux aside from the bow tie?
I've got about $300CND to spend, that's about 190US. Any good stores you recommend?

 

[csf]

1. How much do you have/want to spend? Keep in mind that a suit is not something you should skimp on if you want to look and feel good in it.

2. What other occasions will you be wearing this suit for (e.g. job interviews, fancy dinners, weddings, etc)? If you want something versatile you should stick to a regular suit. However if you also have multiple formal black tie events to go to (not semiformal, though I doubt you'll have to worry about this yet aside from prom) you should consider investing in a tuxedo, but again worry about the suit first.

 

[glen]

Depends where you live.
I live in the SouthEast and I have needed a Tuxedo average 5 times a year for the last 15 years.
A Tuxedo is an invitation to any party - anywhere.
I am too old to do this now, but in high School, we used to crash loads of parties.
Government balls - Normally they have a free bar and lots of MILFs who think it is cute to have high school guys hit on them.
Debutante balls -Tons of Deb balls can be crashed with one, and those girls are typically pretty hot.

 

[thomsbrain]

you're gonna want a tux for prom, whether you rent or buy.

 

[AUMM]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
you're gonna want a tux for prom, whether you rent or buy.

yep

 

[LordJezo]

I got a cheap one at J C Penny, wore it to all my proms and semi formals, added in a bow tie when I needed a "tux".


Saved lots of money that way and no one cared.

Years later no one does now either.


Go cheap, it wont matter.

 

[Bignate603]

I inherited a tux because my father didn't fit it anymore. Expensive one too, he used to need it alot. It's much nicer then I would buy otherwise.

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: LordJezo
I got a cheap one at J C Penny, wore it to all my proms and semi formals, added in a bow tie when I needed a "tux".


Saved lots of money that way and no one cared.

Years later no one does now either.


Go cheap, it wont matter.

Ahh, like a black suit, then... that sounds smart, what's the difference between a suit and tux aside from the bow tie?
I've got about $300CND to spend, that's about 190US. Any good stores you recommend?

Originally posted by: Bignate603
I inherited a tux because my father didn't fit it anymore. Expensive one too, he used to need it alot. It's much nicer then I would buy otherwise.

I'm bigger than my dad.. I'm 6'

 

[EvilYoda]

It might depend on your prom, but usually everyone gets a tux...I was lucky enough to get hooked up in HS, since my friend worked at the tux place...as for a suit, $190 isn't really going to get you anything spectacular, but I also can't recommend a store, since you're in Canada, and there's probably no similar stores around

Good luck tho

 

[amnesiac]

Buying a tux could be handy if you see yourself using it a lot. I'd rather spend the money on a damn good suit and just rent a tux when necessary. Much more practical, and a good black suit can substitute for a tux most of the time.

Also, if you have friends getting married, a purchased tux is a lost cause if you're in the wedding party because you'll have to rent one to spec anyway. I had to rent 2 tuxes in 3 weeks last summer. :Q

 

[csf]

The main differences between a black suit and a tux (not all may apply, and i'm only giving the obvious differences, not the other subtle rules that apply to black tie):

1. A tuxedo jacket has satin or grossgrain lapels and cloth covered buttons (that's why the lapels and buttons look all shiny).
2. Tuxedo pants have a satin/grossgrain stripe running down the sides and should never be cuffed.
3. Tuxedo pants don't have belt loops and require suspenders to be worn.
4. A tuxedo takes special accessories (a vest or cummerbund with a single breasted jacket, bow tie, special tuxedo shirt, cufflinks if you dont have them already, etc).

If you want to do a black tie event right, the costs of #3 add up quickly, so you should probably wait to buy a tuxedo until you actually need one regularly. keep in mind that proms are always fashion nightmares and none of the kids there will really have a clue of what to wear, so showing up in a nice dark colored suit should work fine. If you want your suit to be versatile and work for job/school interviews and what not definitely do not get a black one as they are not appropriate outside of eveningwear; instead go with a nice dark navy or charcoal gray suit. To be honest $190 won't get you far at retail (the really nice suits start at about $800-1000 retail, maybe ~500 if you find it on sale), but if you can get a tailor to take your measurements and size and if you have any friends/relatives who are knowledgable about suits you could do very well at a discount store, thrift store, or ebay. I don't recommend this for a first-time suit buyer but if you start studying up and become familiar with your size and the different brands and terminologies you can find some amazing deals. Go to a department store or menswear store and start trying some suits on and asking questions to get an idea of what to look for and what you can do in your price range.

 

[simms]

Originally posted by: csf
The main differences between a black suit and a tux (not all may apply, and i'm only giving the obvious differences, not the other subtle rules that apply to black tie):

1. A tuxedo jacket has satin or grossgrain lapels and cloth covered buttons (that's why the lapels and buttons look all shiny).
2. Tuxedo pants have a satin/grossgrain stripe running down the sides and should never be cuffed.
3. Tuxedo pants don't have belt loops and require suspenders to be worn.
4. A tuxedo takes special accessories (a vest or cummerbund with a single breasted jacket, bow tie, special tuxedo shirt, cufflinks if you dont have them already, etc).

If you want to do a black tie event right, the costs of #3 add up quickly, so you should probably wait to buy a tuxedo until you actually need one regularly. keep in mind that proms are always fashion nightmares and none of the kids there will really have a clue of what to wear, so showing up in a nice dark colored suit should work fine. If you want your suit to be versatile and work for job/school interviews and what not definitely do not get a black one as they are not appropriate outside of eveningwear; instead go with a nice dark navy or charcoal gray suit. To be honest $190 won't get you far at retail (the really nice suits start at about $800-1000 retail, maybe ~500 if you find it on sale), but if you can get a tailor to take your measurements and size and if you have any friends/relatives who are knowledgable about suits you could do very well at a discount store, thrift store, or ebay. I don't recommend this for a first-time suit buyer but if you start studying up and become familiar with your size and the different brands and terminologies you can find some amazing deals. Go to a department store or menswear store and start trying some suits on and asking questions to get an idea of what to look for and what you can do in your price range.

<neo>whoa..</neo>
That was a lot. Thanks for all of that... I'm not even sure what those 4 differences are, to be honest with you. You should come up and help me out.. LOL... If worse to worse, I might be able to double that cash, but I'm only in high school and will need it for a few semi's, a debut or two and prom. By university hopefully I can grab a tux to add to the closet.