What sort of suit is on trend for teen boys prom suit?

[jackandy]

Hi, DS16 is autistic and not aware of fashion at all. He is attending mainstream school.

I don't really know what's on trend for teens at the moment. He wants to go to prom (held early at his school). I remember being badly bullied for my fashion choices on mufti days at school and I don't want this happening to him. But he hasn't a clue about current prom suit fashions and neither do I.

I wondered if anyone can tell me what's on trend please in teen suit styles? I don't need him to be Mr Super Model but equally I don't want him to be teased for wearing eg skinny trousers if they're now out of fashion completely.

DS hates stripes, checks etc but has asked for a black or blue suit as grey is too much like his school uniform.

Can anyone tell me what sort of leg shape is on trend for 16 year olds in UK at the moment? Skinny? Straight? Or doesn't it matter?

He is very very slim....26" waist. I've asked the local suit hire places and they don't have waist sizes of 26" so I'm looking for second hand ones on eBay and Vinted.

Also, jackets.....I like single breasted. Hate double breasted but will buy the latter if single breasted is out of fashion.

Help appreciated. Thanks.

When it came to prom time I never realised buying a suit would be so hard! I thought the girls had the hard part and the boys just picked up a suit!

We initially tried in the local gents fitters (Slaters) thinking it would be in and out and job done, but it quickly became clear he wouldn't be able to buy a full suit in one size and he would have to buy separates in different sizes (odd teen boy shape!) It also became clear very cheap suits don't sit right unless perfectly fitted so better to get one with some weight in the fabric.

Then we ordered loads of suits to try at home, returned them all, ordered more - mostly from Moss, some from Next - different colours and fits. Many of them, even if they looked modern on the website, made him look like a middle aged business man and were quickly rejected. We also had a white shirt and black shirt, and a couple of different ties to try on with them as they would really change the look of the suit, especially the black shirt which makes grey suits a lot less school uniform like.

It also didn't help he had a girlfriend at the time and he said he was supposed to wear a tie the same colour has her dress but she hadn't bought her dress yet!

He eventually went for a slim fit charcoal 3-piece single breasted suit, black shirt and silver tie/pocket square. The jacket/waistcoat fitted perfectly and looked great on, the trousers were still not quite right so he took them to get altered locally to fit and it made a huge difference to the whole look of the suit.

From the pictures of his prom there was a wide range of different suits, plain, checked, striped, tuxedo like and different fits - skinny, slim etc

Good luck, I would say start early, it will take longer than you think especially if you want alterations as everywhere will be really busy around prom time.

@Blanketpolicy thanks so much for this. I hadn't considered a non white shirt but it makes sense. What colour shirt did your DS end up wearing with the charcoal suit?

If you search “prom suit” on eBay it brings up mainly skinny legs style, such as this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195816350484?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20221115143302%26meid%3D2cfd9c9aec96490388249bde9d9290ec%26pid%3D101613%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dnone%26itm%3D195816350484%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2Mobile&_trksid=p4375194.c101613.m146925&_trkparms=parentrq%3A70ba821118d0a514b76c7072fffdeb38%7Cpageci%3A890a4c68-c2d5-11ee-8bcc-8aa1ac4a7e1f%7Ciid%3A1%7Cvlpname%3Avlp_homepage

That is really helpful, as having the same dilemma right now. We were more focused on GCSE's at the moment. But son also has a gf who appears to be stressing about him not having it sorted yet. She apparently wants him to wear a tuxedo and bow tie. I'm a bit worried about that as from the photos of previous years the boys were just mainly wearing 3 piece suits of all different colours - no black ones. And either a tie or (rarely a bow tie). I don't want him to get ribbed for looking overdressed. I'm trying to order things online too but having read the above ...............looks like it could take some sorting.

I would prefer something he can wear in future - eg an ordinary suit - even if it's with a bow tie - not a fancy shiny lapel tuxedo jacket which may never be worn again - plus there don't seem to be waistcoats to go with tuxedo jackets.

jackandy - maybe the tie could wait till later? I'd probably go on the safe side and choose slim rather than skinny fit trousers. And good point about it not looking like school uniform! (Another reason I don't fancy black as they wear black trousers to school).

I feel in an awkward position between what his gf wants him to wear, wanting him to choose for himself and have a bit of choice in things himself, and wanting something that will be useful again in future!

Mine had spray on trousers style. Luckily he was skinny then. Husband thought it awful but the suit place at Cheshire Oaks agreed with my son 😂

My son had his Y11 prom 2 years ago. He is very tall and skinny so was probably a 28in waist. He would be unlikely to wear a suit again so we hired. Went to Moss Bros and M&S at Bluewster. Moss Bros had a good range and service. He chose a blue 2 piece single breast suit with quite skinny legs. He borrowed a formal white shirt and cufflinks from his dad. I realised how out of touch I was when I was admiring the double-breasted suits. Apparently they are very old fashioned now!!

Thanks! We had thought of hiring but he wants us to buy something - not sure why. Now a nice blue suit seems just right to me. I don't suppose there's much point suggesting something other than a tuxedo if the gf wants him to wear one but I kind of wish he'd man up a bit there!

I came across this if it helps. Might show it to son - it says personally he would avoid a tuxedo

https://theeverydayman.co.uk/wear-school-prom/

DownWhich link to eBay is fab. Lots of 2nd hand, only worn once prom suits, skinny or slim leg, are perfect.

Lots of boys at my daughter's prom wore fairly plain suits they later wore for sixth form but added coloured shirts, ties, belts and even shoes to jazz up the look.

So pleased to have found this thread! My son is adamant he wants a pink suit - no idea why. His friends are choosing grey.

Look at the school prom photos from last year to get an idea of what they’re wearing.
At my son’s prom there was the whole range from Bermuda shorts up to full top hat and tails. Most of them wore a three piece suit. My son didn’t want a suit or tie so wore a grandad shirt with a waistcoat and matching trousers.

My son insisted on tartan 😂

My ds’s school has an end of prep ball when they’re 12/13, which is a terrible age for suits and prom dresses! Ds has told me he’s going to wear a velvet smoking jacket and fancy waistcoat.

In our school boys tend to wear a slim leg 3 or 2 piece suit.
Leg length is usually too short (in my opinion) and bare ankles (hidden trainer socks) with smart black lace up shoes or loafers.
White or coloured shirt and a slim tie or open neck shirt with no tie

Now I wouldn't mind that. I like a bit of tartan :-) This area though nobody wears tuxedos. I guess I'm feeling miffed that he wants his girlfriend to choose what he's wearing (and us get dictated to what to pay!). And I wouldn't have minded that if we'd actually been consulted! I don't mind paying £300 for a special outfit for a special night but for heavens sake he's not married!

My super skinny Y11 got a really nice suit from ASOS - they go down pretty small size wise, and can mix and match with jacket and trousers to get a good fit. Reasonably priced too and easily something he’ll wear again. Got waistcoat and matching bow tie/ pocket square from Amazon, and Moss Bros shirt.

ASOS the tartan suit came from. Yes the bare ankle, invisible socks and pointed shoes (boats) look is odd. But ASOS suits are cheaper and you can buy pieces individually. As for the drainpipe trousers he couldn't get in them a year later.

Mad 😂

Which link is that please? Thing is we are having a big holiday post GCSE as a treat - not sure we can afford much more. Son isn't that bothered - it's his gf!

We have a charity shop in town the second floor is for weddings and proms. OH the dresses are beautiful. A friend bought three. £6 £10 £20. She's had a bit of altering done and now has three beautiful dresses for £36 plus a bit of altering on one.