How to Shop for Prom Suit or Tuxedo

Prom is one of the biggest nights of your high school experience, and finding the perfect suit or tuxedo is key to looking and feeling your best. Whether you want a classic black tux, a bold-colored prom suit, or something uniquely tailored to your personality, knowing how to shop smart will make the process easier. In this guide, we’ll break down the best suit styles, the debate between renting vs. buying, how to find the right fit, and what you should expect to spend—all while keeping style and comfort in mind, of course.

Starting with the prom collection and these tips makes finding your prom fit is even easier than ever.

Classic Prom Suit and Tuxedo Styles

Tuxedos: Formal, Timeless, and Classic

A tux is a go-to for a formal, elegant look. Traditional tuxedos include satin lapels, satin-covered buttons, and often a bow tie rather than a necktie. Classic colors include:

• Black tuxedos: Always sophisticated and a great choice if your prom has a black-tie feel.
• Navy tuxedos: A modern alternative to black, offering a sleek and polished appearance. 
• White tuxedo jackets: Paired with black pants, this gives off a stylish, vintage-inspired vibe.
  

Tuxedos can be worn with a vest or cummerbund, depending on how formal you want to go. Be sure to also check out the women’s tux options.

Suits: Versatile and Stylish

A suit offers more flexibility while still keeping you looking sharp. Unlike tuxedos, suits don’t have satin lapels or buttons, giving them a more wearable and modern appeal. Popular SuitShop options for prom include:

• Men’s slim fit suit: A sleek look that hugs the body without being too tight. The jacket features a wide shoulder with a tapered waist, great for muscular, broad-shouldered, or trim builds through the upper body. The pants have a tapered leg through the calf and sit a bit lower on the waist.
• Men’s modern fit suit: The same, updated look as a slim suit but cut for a wider range of body types. The jacket has a straighter cut through the shoulders and torso and built with a bit more room around the buttons. The pants feature less of a taper and are great for athletic or larger legs to still get that tailored look.
• Women’s fit suit: A menswear-inspired option with a modern twist to perfectly fit and flatter a female body without being tight or restrictive. Women’s suit pants have a mid-rise waist and include a notch at the ankle with a small slit for added detail and mobility.
• Unisex fit suit: A masculine feel with an updated fit to accommodate a range of body types. Get the details of a men’s suit without compromising on the fit or comfort!

Learn more about the different fits and sizing with SuitShop’s fit guide.

When choosing a color, consider classic black, navy, or gray, or go bold with burgundy, dark green, or even pastels for a unique statement. And with Made-to-Order suits, you can access even more range with especially trendy prom suit colors, tuxedo cuts, and more, so you can get any style you’re looking for.

Rent or Buy: What’s the Best Option?

One of the biggest prom shopping decisions is whether to rent or buy your suit or tuxedo. Each option has its supporters, but there's one clear option to get the best look, fit, and bang for your buck.

Why Rent a Prom Suit or Tuxedo?

Renting is a popular choice for prom-goers to get that high-end look without the long-term commitment. While renting is thought to be more affordable than buying, you may run into issues with limited sizing and style options. Plus, more current, updated options or brands like SuitShop's prom suits and tuxedos aren’t just stylish, they’re just as affordable as rentals.

If you don’t see yourself wearing a suit or tuxedo often, renting can sound really convenient, but adding one to your wardrobe as a mainstay can definitely save you in the long run. Beyond the rewear value, since you can pay the same for each option, we recommend buying, since you'll ensure you get your best fit and have to option to do any alterations with a tailor.

Why Buy a Suit or Tuxedo for Prom?

Buying a suit is a smart investment, especially since you’ll need formalwear for future events like weddings, interviews, or college formals. Here are some of the main benefits of opting to buy your prom outfit:

• Better fit: SuitShop’s suits come in an especially inclusive, specific range of sizes and fits that you're unlikely to find when renting. You can also receive your prom suit or tuxedo far ahead of prom night to really make sure you have that just-right fit. A purchased suit can even be tailored for that truly perfect, customized fit.
• More style choices: Rental inventory may not include different types of fabrics and colors, and with limited inventory, you might not be able to secure your first choice style for your prom date.
• No hassle: With rentals, you only receive your prom suit or tuxedo right before your event. This doesn't leave enough time to make any necessary fit updates, ensure you have what you need, or try out styling options. And you have to worry about getting your rental back in the mail right after your prom.
• Long-term value: Instead of spending on multiple rentals, you now own a high-quality suit forever! Plus, you’ll skip the hassle of having to return it.

How to Get Fitted for the Right Suit Size

The right fit is essential for looking sharp at prom. A suit that’s too loose or too tight can throw off your whole look. There are a few ways to get your perfect prom tuxedo or suit fit.

A quick suit fit quiz:

• The Fit Finder is a virtual, easy, and accurate quiz to calculate your best suit size.
• Answer simple questions about your age, height, weight, and typical clothing sizes.
• Get size recommendations in about 1 minute or less.

Take suit measurements:

• Chest: Measure around the fullest part of your chest, placing the tape measure snuggly under your arms.
• Shoulders: Measure from one shoulder edge to the other across your back.
• Waist: Measure around the narrowest part of your torso.
• Inseam: Measure the inside of your leg down to your ankle. Pro tip: remember SuitShop’s pants are unhemmed to allow you to create the perfect hem for your height and style preferences.

SuitShop offers a detailed fit guide and suit sizing charts to help you find the right size, and if you’re unsure, visiting a tailor or a store that offers professional measurements can be a great help.

Try It On and Make Adjustments

Everybody is different, so your perfect suit or tuxedo will be too! For the best-fitting prom outfit, you should consider getting some small alterations. There’s still lots of room for style choices here, but you’ll generally want to make sure you check these boxes:

• Shirt sleeves should end just above the wrist bone with a bit of the sleeve sticking out past your jacket sleeves
• Suit pants should have a slight break at the shoe without bunching up
• The jacket should button comfortably without pulling or gaping

While a tailor can ensure your suit or tuxedo has the right details, any major fit issues may just be the wrong size. But don’t worry! You can return or exchange your suit or tuxedo at SuitShop for free as long as you haven’t altered it yet.

How Much Should You Budget for a Prom Suit or Tux?

Prom suits and tuxedos can vary in price, especially if you’re considering renting vs. buying. Here’s what to expect based on your preferences:

• Renting a tuxedo: ~$200, plus hidden fees depending on the style 
• Buying a suit: $200-400 with SuitShop for a high-quality option
• High-end designer suits: $600+ for a luxury look

Additional costs to factor in:

• Basic alterations: Varies widely on what you want done and where you go, but typically a pant hem (all that's needed for a SuitShop prom tuxedo or suit) ranges from $10-20
• Extra alterations: Also varies, but typically $30-100 with professional tailor
• Dress shoes: $50-150 depending on the style and brand
• Accessories: $20-75 for ties, pocket squares, cufflinks, etc.

Buying a versatile, well-fitted suit or tuxedo means you can wear it beyond prom, making it a worthwhile investment.

Have Fun With Your Prom Outfit

The most important thing is to have a great time! Start with making sure your suit or tuxedo reflects your style and makes you feel confident. When you look and feel good, it’s much easier to dance the night away with your friends