This is the one guide to prom tux ideas that will truly help you arrive in the prom tux 2025 will be known for and land the right look. There are endless prom outfits for guys, and we understand if you need help narrowing your options.
The good news is when it comes to prom attire for guys, 2025 has a lot to offer. Men’s prom outfits usually stay pretty much the same (tux and a tie, and you’re set), but this year’s prom tux styles bring a little more to the dance floor than in the past. Read on to set yourself apart from the pack with the best prom styles for men.
Table of Contents
Modern Prom Tux Ideas →
Traditional Prom Tux Ideas →
Prom Tux Accessories →
Prom Tux FAQ →
Prom Tux Ideas
Awards shows tend to be a little long, with questionable films taking home the hardware. At least they're good for another better thing: style inspiration. Knowing who won the red carpet can provide you with plenty of prom tux ideas, from modern options to more traditional outfits. Let's review the best prom tux styles for 2025.
Modern Prom Tux Ideas for 2025
You respect tradition, but you don’t want to risk looking stale. These are updated, modern versions of the most classic tuxedo styles.
@oscars Mark Eydelshteyn joining Hollywood’s biggest night at the 97th #Oscars. #Oscars2025 #AcademyAwards #MarkEydelshteyn #Anora @NEON ♬ original sound - The Oscars
Mark Eydelshteyn wore a modern double-breasted tuxedo to this year's Academy Awards, but it still has a classic feel because of the simple black and white accessories he chose.
Get the Look for Prom
@oscars Is there a Bob Dylan look-alike contest here today? Timothée Chalamet chats with Oscars Ambassador Amelia Dimoldenberg on the Oscars red carpet. #Oscars #Oscars2025 #AcademyAwards #TimotheeChalamet #ACompleteUnknown @searchlightpics @ameliadimz ♬ original sound - The Oscars
Timothée Chalamet's Oscars look received strong reactions, but we're here for a bold choice. Now, you may not find his exact tuxedo color, but you can recreate the spirit of Timmy's look with any colorful tuxedo (including ours on the list below). Be sure to button your shirt all the way up to the top for full effect.
Get the Look for Prom
@oscars A love for espresso martinis and ANORA? Calum Harper is a walking green flag. #Oscars #Oscars2025 #AcademyAwards @calumharper18 @ameliadimz ♬ original sound - The Oscars
While technically this is a tuxedo, the colors of Calum Harper's outfit lean casual — almost like a beige suit. Nobody's wearing a beige tuxedo more than a few times (a good case for renting vs. buying), but a beige suit? That's a wardrobe staple — one we'd recommend you buy for prom and wear throughout spring and summer.
Get the Look for Prom
Traditional Prom Tux Ideas for 2025
There’s a reason some prom tuxedos have withstood the test of time: they’re classics. You’ll thank yourself in 20 years when you find your prom pic in a box (or framed on your mantle, whatever) and have zero regrets.
@oscars The only real pain was not having more time with Kieran Culkin. #Oscars #Oscars2025 #AcademyAwards #KieranCulkin #ARealPain @Searchlight Pictures @ameliadimz ♬ original sound - The Oscars
Kieran Culkin's all black tuxedo works well, especially with his dark hair. It's traditional except for the shirt, but this is becoming less of a risky move and more of a classic with each passing year.
Get the Look for Prom
@oscars All musicals should have Jeff Goldblum. #Oscars #Oscars2025 #AcademyAwards #JeffGoldblum @Wicked Movie @Universal Pictures @ameliadimz ♬ original sound - The Oscars
Who says timeless can't be fun? Master the basics, and, like Jeff Goldblum, you'll earn the ability to take liberties and put your signature on an otherwise classic look. We'll let you source your own shirt with complicated patterns, or follow the list below for an absolute no-brainer outfit with a pop of color.
Get the Look for Prom
- White Dinner Jacket Tuxedo →
- White Fly-Front Shirt →
- Black Butterfly Bow Tie →
- Purple Quad Pocket Square →
- Black Velvet Slip-On Shoes →
@oscars A mini reunion of sorts! Jesse Eisenberg chats with Oscars Ambassador Amelia Dimoldenberg on the Oscars red carpet. #Oscars #Oscars2025 #AcademyAwards #JesseEisenberg #ARealPain @Searchlight Pictures @ameliadimz ♬ original sound - The Oscars
Jesse Eisenberg wore a classic peak lapel tuxedo, and kept it fresh with a black satin necktie. We'd choose a bow tie, but he wears it well (and you undoubtedly would too). This is the most timeless and rewearable tuxedo there is, and we'd recommend buying it — you never know when you'll need it.
Get the Look for Prom
- Essential Peak Lapel Tuxedo →
- White Dress Shirt →
- Black Satin Necktie →
- Black Patent Leather Shoes →
Prom Tux Accessories: Ties, Shirts, Shoes and More
Once you’ve chosen the perfect tux, it’s time to fill in the gaps in your prom outfit with these accessories.
Prom Tux Neckwear
Black Ties
Sometimes the most obvious choice is the right choice. Pair a black bow tie or necktie with anything and you’ll be fine.
Pattern Black and White Neckwear
If you’re wearing a solid black or midnight blue tux, try a patterned tie in black and white—it’s really hard to mess this up.
Colorful Neckwear
A little color can be a good move, but it can be easy to overdo. If your tie is colorful, keep your tux and shirt black and white.
Prom Tux Pocket Squares
White
White pocket squares look good with everything, and demonstrate you're really, really good at folding things. Your parents will be so proud.
Black and White
You can get a lot of mileage out of black and white. Try a simple pattern, a unique design, or even just a shoestring detail.
Colorful Pocket Squares
Remember what we said about colorful ties? Same goes for your pocket square. Keep your tux and shirt simple if you choose colorful accessories.
Prom Tux Shirts
Dress Shirt or Fly-Front Shirt
Wearing a dress shirt is a low-key move, leaving the door open for your tux or tie to make a statement.
For a sleek, modern choice, try a fly-front shirt (the kind that hides your shirt buttons).
Tuxedo Shirt
Elevate your look without going full-on formal. The fold-down collar says “Relax, it’s just prom,” but the pleated front says “I legitimately know how to tango.”
Wing Tip Shirt
Only with a traditional tuxedo style, and TBH, this is probably too serious for prom. But do you.
Prom Tux Shoes
Patent Leather Shoes
Patent leather shoes are an easy go-to when you’re wearing a tux. Simple FTW.
Cap Toe Shoes
A sleek cap toe shoe demands just enough attention. This pair adds variety to your look without upstaging your tux.
Loafers
Velvet slip-ons will improve your dance moves by up to 20%, probably. If it’s warm outside, skip the socks and let those ankles breathe.
Sneakers
Sneakers are an interesting choice, but a clean pair in black are the only kind we can safely recommend.
Cufflinks for Prom Tuxedos
A tux without cufflinks is like eating fries without ketchup… or ranch, or mustard, or whatever you like to dip into. So I guess what we're saying is live a little and wear them. You can rent cufflinks with your prom tux, or buy a set of cufflinks you can wear on repeat for any formal event.
Prom Tux Questions, Answered
Nobody’s born a formalwear pro. Whatever prom tux ideas end up shaping your look, you probably have some questions. We have the answers, and they’ll help you avoid bad fits, awkward photos, and that specific prom-induced anxiety.
Prom Suit vs. Prom Tuxedo
Suits and tuxedos might seem similar, but a tux isn’t just a black suit worn with a bow tie (and not all tuxedos are black and white). The biggest difference is the silk satin used in the design of the tuxedo’s jacket lapels, buttons, and pants. Suits are usually made with one fabric on both the jacket and pants—no satin involved—and normal buttons.
So, should you wear a suit or a tuxedo for prom? We vote tuxedo — the opportunity to bust out a tux doesn't come along all that often, so up your game for the big night and let your bar mitzvah suit sit this dance out.
Bow Tie Vs. Necktie
Bow ties are the right choice for a prom tuxedo, and if you don’t know how to tie one yet, it’s simple. It's not that you can't wear a silk satin necktie with your prom tux —it's one of the modern prom tux ideas we can get on-board with — but most tuxedos just look better with a bow tie.
In the end, no matter what your overall look is, choose the tie style that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
Should I match my date for prom?
Short answer: No.
There are several reasons, but for starters, it’s almost impossible to keep matching outfits from looking like a costumes. You may not wear a tux very often, but it’s clothing — it can (and should) say something about who you are. Matching outfits say "we make all our decisions together."
There’s also a big difference between matching and coordinating. If your date has an elaborate color scheme planned, that can work with any of the prom tux ideas we've offered here. But narrow it down to one or two of those colors for your outfit. Power couples do this all the time, but they still maintain their individuality. Why? Because they’re coordinating, not twinning.
How much color is too much color?
Most of the time, getting dressed is about making personal style choices. That definitely applies to color, but choices come in two flavors: good and bad. There are two ways you can (and should) make a good color choice.
The first is to let your tuxedo do the talking. If you wear a colorful tux — whether it’s only the jacket, or both pants and jacket — choose accessories in a black and white color scheme. That keeps the attention on your statement tux where it belongs. With few exceptions, too much color can be distracting.
The second option is to keep your prom tux black and white, and take your tie, pocket square, or shirt for a ride around the color wheel. Again, it’s easy to overdo it, so if you bring the color to more than one accessory, choose complementary colors. This may seem limiting at first, but there are endless ways to customize your look without missing the mark.
How should my prom tuxedo fit?
Wearing a prom tux should look effortless, but you’ll need to pay attention to how it fits to be your prom's GOAT (Greatest Of All Tuxedos). Lucky for you, there are just 3 major parts to double check and dial in.
Prom Tux Jacket Fit
Prom Tux Shirt Fit
Prom Tux Pants Fit
Dive a little deeper and perfect your fit here.
Do I button all of the buttons on my prom tux jacket?
Unless your jacket only has one button, never fasten all of the buttons on your suit or tuxedo jacket. Let’s break it down:
- 2 buttons: Fasten the top button only.
-
3 buttons: You have the option of fastening the top button, but always button the middle.
- Double-breasted jacket: Fasten the top button (and keep it fastened—don’t wear this unbuttoned).
But no matter the jacket, never button the bottom jacket button—it just won’t fit very well or look right.
Finding prom tux ideas is a solid start, but that's only half the battle. We get that finding a tux for prom can be a hassle. That’s why we make it simple. Just answer a few questions, order online, and we’ll deliver your prom tux to your door. No tux shop trip required. Plus, it'll actually fit. Sound good?
Remember: prom is one night, but the photos are forever.
