Well, I have never been very conformist and so, for my Senior Prom I am looking for an elegant and truly old-school suit. If anyone has seen "Enchanted" the ensemble that the lawyer wears to the ballroom scene would be nearly perfect.
As it stands I have been able to discover very little that is truly elegant or not some cheap Halloween costume. If anyone knows a distributor of such clothing please point me in that direction as I have been tearing my hair out trying to ascertain if such a thing even exists.
Please note that I am male.
Keep in mind I'm a child of the 80's, so my idea of non-conformist may be a little awkward. I say go for a tux with tails, but keep the color of the shirt underneath it avant garde. Dance hall days, indeed.
I was actually thinking I'd spring for a zoot suit if I failed to aquire the older-style outfit.
|
Zuit Suits are a gamble. If you order it online make sure you give accurate measurements and give yourself enough time to have it tailored locally just in case. Also, hopefuly your not 1 of 20 other people who thought a zuit suit would be cool and end up looking just like everyone else. Even so, the cool thing about Zuits is the variaty of colors and materials you can use. Whenever I sport one of my Zuits to a event, even if others are wearing Zuits mine is always the best. Long chain an inch off the ground, pocket watch, nice leather shoes, hat and cane. And dont mess it up with the tie, make sure the tie compliments the ensamble. Dont go with the cheapest you can find either, you dont have to go overboard but a crappy Zuit looks crappy.
My Zuits usually cost about 600-700 dollars, but that is for the hat, shoes, shirt, tie, suspenders, all that. Pretty much everything except the chain and cane. FIY, put the chain in a pocket while danceing.
You could prolly suit your needs with a 200-300 dollar ensamble, but you shouldnt go under 200. If your looking to cut some $ off you can lose the hat, and cane. Dont wear combat boots or sneakers with the suit, get some period shoes (1920s) or at the very least leather shoes.
SE
Purple crushed velvet. No one will ever forget it. Or just take the opportunity to get a normal tux and act the fool. It's not the suit, boss, it's how you wear it.
|
I was actually thinking I'd spring for a zoot suit if I failed to aquire the older-style outfit.
There's a Zuit shop close to my work... I'm not sure where you are. (I'm in California) But I'd get you their # if you want.
The outfit you are thinking of, has always been hard to find for me... like I've never found one. Maybe antique shops might have some clothes like that...
|
|
The outfit you are thinking of, has always been hard to find for me... like I've never found one. Maybe antique shops might have some clothes like that...
I used to have this problem till I started flirting with a seemstress. All I do is get a pattern and have her sew it. Just cause its old fashoned doesnt meen it was assembled in 1902.
Lurker in the Threads: Interesting problem considering the name your using on these messageboards. I hope that you find something to your liking and have a good time at the prom.
Proper accessorizing can indeed be striking without being tasteless, offbeat shirts or such is thing to consider...as is velvet.
Places to ask around for interesting costumes are theatres and operas, especially if you know some people there but with luck also otherwise...they might be interested in renting or selling.
Oh, and do discuss the idea with your date. Preferably you want to look good together.
Some of the better places you can find pieces of old-timey clothing are thrift stores. A vest here, a set of slacks there, and before you know it you have a dapper outfit fit for prom for under $100.
Talking someone that can sew into making you something also works. Simplicity especially has patterns that may fit exactly what you're looking for.
If you find a "thrift store treasure" that looks good, but doesn't fit quite right, you can always go to a tailor's shop to have it altered. Adjusting the hems and taking in the waist a bit won't cost much.
You might want to buy a shirt from a tux shop and wear it with your vintage finery. An antique three piece suit might look quite sharp with a crisp shirt, silk bow tie, and fedora.
Don't forget the shoes and socks!
Most major cities have Costume suppliers to support local theater groups (and school productions, etc).
You could contact any local theater groups, but your school's music or choral director might also know about the best costume suppliers (if your school puts on annual musicals, for example). The majority of their business is probably rental, and if you don't live near a major city, I expect you'd be able to arrange shipping. But I strongly recommend asking your local theater group/choral director which suppliers are reliable and have good-looking stuff.
(A few years back in Atlanta, for example, there's was a theater group with several members who made most of their costumes. If you find a local group like that, they might have something they can loan, or they might make costumes for reasonable rates.)
Post where you're from - someone here might know a good source (incl. thrift stores) in your area.
Also, if you don't know someone who could sew you a suit, go to a local fabric store & ask if they have a list or book of people who sew. I have a friend who sews costumes (mostly Ren) and that's how she started out. You also want to know what era of "old school" you're looking for. Google's a great thing to find "classic" patterns. Hope you find what you're looking for & enjoy your prom.
you mean the big puffy sleeve thing?
that is odd, i would also check with ballat (sp?) schools. that looks like something from the nut cracker, or swan lake.
i also agree with the above post, its not the outfit, but the person in the outfit. i would watch "pretty in pink." i know i know, super cheesy 80s molly ringwald.
as for korea, dont go into a tailors shop too to drunk, you never know what you will be picking up in three days. i bought a hideous outfit, looked like something the commodors would wear, and i was a head banger. go figure.
just have fun. i didnt go to my prom, no date, it was about a 50 mile drive, no license, no car. i was a computer programer/jrotc/gamer. not really welcome with the jocks and coyboys of a central montana high school in the mid 80s.
as for pretty in pink, i saw it at camp casey, i rode the bus to see it at camp hovey, then i went to itawan (sp?) to see it. i had the biggest crush on molly ringwald, those were the days.
Good luck! I ended up making a prom dress for a friend, that had to convert from hoop skirt to a sheath with a waist high slit on both sides. Making her and her mom happy was brutal. Between both and the inevitable remakes I spent about 140 hours on that.
Thift stores and costume shops for theater are your best bet. The velvet shirt is a swank idea though. Costume shops for Halloween and such might not be where you want to look first. If you can draw or get a picture of what you are looking for it will really improve your chances.
Zoot suits are cool. ESPECIALLY if you can swing. The ladies love a man who dances well.
Director of Sales
|
Depending upon your style, sometimes subtlety can achieve a greater effect.
For example: A straight-forward, nice, well-fitting Tuxedo. With skull and crossbones cuff links, tux studs, socks, cummerbund, and tie.
Or even just the metal bits.
This way, you look better than the Norms and your date (being the important one) knows you're hardcore, without flaunting it. :)
How about a kilt?Kilts are kickass.
I do want to stress out that if you are planning to go for something totally offbeat, do discuss it beforehand with your date. Even if you have guts to wear kilt or something like that, she/he might be more easily embarrassed. And even if not, she might come up with something relatable (in formal dinners and events, invitations typically specify only what is expected attire for men, women take their clues from that).
Consideration, chicks love that.|
|
Over the course of my high school career I attended 5 proms.
3 I wore your typical tux.
1 I wore a full Bonnie Prince Charlie kilt and tux.
1 I wore a zoot suit rented from a local costume supplier. My date rented an awesome black dress of the same period.
The last two evenings were FAR more fun.
My two cents.
Depending upon your style, sometimes subtlety can achieve a greater effect.
For example: A straight-forward, nice, well-fitting Tuxedo. With skull and crossbones cuff links, tux studs, socks, cummerbund, and tie.
Or even just the metal bits.
This way, you look better than the Norms and your date (being the important one) knows you're hardcore, without flaunting it. :)
Cool stuff, but you missed something Cosmo. This.
Hey Dude, check out El Pachuco.com. Cool stuff, even if just for ideas. Can get spendy, but you only live once.
google what you want and find some pictures. Try to get a high resolution picture.
Find a good tailor and have it made for you.
A tailored suit makes a man feel godlike.
It may be expensive in the states. I live in Asia. Only a fool would wear something off a rack here. I have my suits tailored by Narry.
Asian tailors are excellent, and there is enough competition to drive prices very low. Most rely on return trade, so there is a strong service ethic at work too.
Most tailors here keep your measurements, and can send additional items at a later date.
You will need perfect measurements to get the full benefit however, so I would recommend finding some tailors and getting quotes locally.
Please note that the rest of the world disdains inches and feet and is geared to work in mm. If you send an order internationally in inches it could be very annoying.
A tailored suit makes a man feel godlike.
...and while I don't exactly know if the clothing culture in America is different from here in Europe, I am not talking only for myself when I say that "looks good in a tux" is a fine category to belong to. Of course, belonging to that category is exceedingly rare among high schoolers and not common for college guys either, it usually requires certain level of maturity...
Because essentially it is all about self-confidence (that applies to all costume choices, but especially tuxes and suits). The casually cool self-confidence, not the noisy braggardy...think James Bond. And having a suit which fits you perfectly helps on that a lot.
She is right. To heck with them if they cant take a joke BUT don't be a joke. Lift weights, run, learn to dance.
If you can dance you won't be lame like Harry and Ron.
It is tough getting a suit made here in the states. I envy your location Mr. Hoyle.