Suit for Daughter's Year 11 Prom

[Simplelobsterhat]

I'm pretty clueless about style and fashion and my 16yo is even more clueless, so hoping to pick up some tips! My daughter is thinking of wearing a trouser suit for her prom.

I'm just not sure where to start getting one, what to look for or what to wear with it. Obviously you can get women's trousers suits loads of places, and they seem to suit her. But how do you make it look like she's going to a prom not an office?

Any tips, ideas etc for those whose daughters wore trousers, or just those with more fashion sense than me, gratefully received.

She doesn't like shopping and wouldn't want me to spend a small fortune, as it just isn't important enough to her, but I'd love her to look and feel good, as she's not the most confident and I know some of her friends will be on beautiful dresses.

Mine did this! A good few years ago now. It was a three piece (included waistcoat), navy suit with chalk stripes. Double-breasted jacket and slightly flared trousers. It was from Primark and she wore it loads afterwards. She has a white shirt-style blouse from Mango and a navy tie. She got loads of compliments on it. I hope your DD finds something she loves and has a wonderful time!

I suppose my problem is that I know she won't wear makeup, doesn't have her ears pierced etc, so I struggle with how it will look special rather than business like. But I guess the boys must have the same issue!

Would she wear a nice waistcoat or tie to jazz it up a bit?
Assuming, of course, that she wants to jazz it up. Perhaps she’d be happiest and most comfortable in a simple business style suit?

There are some beautiful velvet or satin trouser suits or trousers and a waistcoat, which are dressy and would look great at a prom. Lots of vibrant colours.

My dd buys suits from next, needs them for work, buy a black one then choose something like silk blouse underneath, most of all make sure she’s comfortable in her outfit

My daughter went for suit with a silk shirt underneathh, definitely more on the androgynous side. I was worried it might look a little businesslike - but actually on girls of that age it just don't really look that business, it just looks smart but distinctive.

Key thing is that she's happy with it and it suits her style - it's hard at that age to stand out looking a bit different so lots of support for her choices and embracing her personal style!

Just had another chat with her and it sounds like this sort of thing may be her preference, but she wants to try some different options on on the weekend. Thanks for the ideas everyone.

A girl who lives near me wore a dark red velvet suit to her prom. Looked fantastic!

At my daughter’s school formal there were several girls in suits and their suits looked like the boys’ ones. They looked great.

My dd wore separate black trousers and a blazer as we couldn't find a suit she liked. She was adamant about having a shirt and tie as well. We went for converse for shoes. She looked pretty cool in the end but it was hard work to find something she was happy with.

Trainers in a bright colour and coordinated tie or handkerchief with a masculine would look really cool. What about buying or hiring a boy/ man's suit?

Some fab pics in this gallery (all from weddings but a good range of different looks and styles)

kingandallen.co.uk/lookbook/womens-wedding/

Might not be her style but I have this which I love, the colour is striking on and makes it ‘occasion’ like, a simple vest top underneath maybe, or a sheer / mesh type thing

www.dorothyperkins.com/product/coast-satin-lapel-blazer_bcc10155?colour=cobalt&size=10%3Futm_source%3Dawin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Bidnamic&aw_affid=786113&awaid=1134&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhtvMBhDBARIsAL26pjE1bO9EVAMw683e01Drl0mk4wnb9bxXdJVVtIc9lgdH1cDKuFsFBVoaArGZEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23034865346&gbraid=0AAAAA-gP1JMfxBxhGSGoJhsAavj56jIhC

ASOS will be good for lots of options in small sizes. Helpful if she doesn’t enjoy actual shops too. A suit with a crisp shirt will probably be what makes her happy. She’s not going to want to look ‘sexy’ with nothing under the jacket, or a little camisole.

Trousers with a waistcoat would look cool. If it’s for prom she’s going to be hot in a jacket.

What about something like this?

Trouser suit as suggested upthread but dressed up with absolutely massive white flower buttonhole, either real or fake flower.

DD wore something like this for hers, with a pretty shirt from mint velvet - we had the waistcoat and trousers made to measure as we couldn’t find anything DD liked. She wore Dr Martens boots. She wasn’t sure about wearing a blazer and in the end it was too hot for one anyway.

If she’s not one for being glam or flamboyant, some of these will be ‘too much’ for her.

Is she more of a pretty blouse, band T-shirt or cosy jumper sort? What sort of music does she like? How does she usually dress and from what sort of shops? What kind of shoes would she like to wear? Whose style does she like?

A black suit (or separates) could be styled in so many ways. Get her to spend some time on Instagram looking at pictures and seeing what might appeal.

I have a similar issue with ds. He'd happily go to prom looking like he's about to go to work on an allotment.

How about a 70s feel? Flared trousers, waistcoat and interesting shirt? I am aware I'm projecting here, as ds is deaf to all my suggestions.

tkmaxx do a waistcoat and trouser outfit. Mine wore a crushed velvet one with just the fitted waistcoat and matching trousers (no jacket). She paired with gold heels and clutch bag and had her hair and makeup done professionally.

Dd1 wore trousers to her prom, she is very petite - 4.11, size 6. She wore wide legged trousers, converse, and a fitted waistcoat, with her grandmother's amber choker, hair up, bright red lip. She looked amazing.

DD's friend wore smart trousers, a more feminine style shirt, and a waist coat to their school prom. She looked incredible.

I’m assuming she has friends who will be dressing like this too. It’s going to be very “look at me” if she’s the only one. As a result, I’d go with a jump suit and hope the loo floors aren’t wet. Is the prom the place to advertise who she is? Not sure. Going with friends doing similar will be easier. If not, jump suit. These are 16 year olds.

Interesting mix of opinions. From she must be comfortable to prom isn't the time to be herself!

All her close friends are wearing dresses, although one of their older sisters wore a suit and a more peripheral friend is apparently wearing a suit, so none if them think it's weird she's considering it. As a group they are not particularly fashion/ appearance orientated. They are neither the alternative dressing grungy ones or the designer label fashion conscious ones.

She's already made herself stand out by cutting her hair short last summer. She's definitely not a 'look at me ' person though, so I did wonder if she'd regret not doing a dress, but every time we discuss it she seems more sure. I think possibly at this point it's more likely people would pay her attention if she was in a dress, as they are so used to her always wearing trousers, no make up etc. she definitely won't want to be too 'out there'.

I'm liking the waistcoat without jacket suggestions for a June event, will see what she thinks of that idea too.

I also need to get her something to wear to a wedding so wondering if that could work for both!

The chances of finding a suitable girls/womens trousers suit in a charity shop are basically zero, I don't know why anyone would suggest that.

OP my daughter will ultimately go down this road too I think so I've been googling for a while for ideas in advance and I think waistcoats with a really crisp shirt always look quite elevated from a normal trouser suit. With short hair too I think it looks superb.