The Prom Dress Is Dead — Here's How to Wear a Suit Better Than the Boys

These incredible looks are all the proof you need.

By Tyler McCallPhotography by Stevie + MadaStyled by Kirby MarzecHair by Cameron Rains

March 11, 2016

1/17
Who says you have to wear a dress to prom? After all, it's the night that you want to stand out from the crowd, not blend in.
That's why you need to consider a suit — it's your surefire bet for making a statement on the dance floor. You'll cut your way through the swaths of satin in a rock'n'roll leopard print set or in a skater-inspired floral suit.
In looks this fly, you'll be the coolest girl at the dance guaranteed. We've got just the inspiration you need for ditching the gown this year right this way.
Photographed by Stevie + Mada
Fashion Editor: Kirby Marzec
Hair: Cameron Rains at The Wall Group
Makeup: Tracy Alfajora at Jed Root
Nails: Gina Edwards at Kate Ryan
Amator jacket, $362, and pants, $219. amatorcollection.com. Atea Oceanie shirt, $260. Baazar Boutique, Norway. Mignonne Gavigan tie, $140. mignonnegavigan.com. Guess belt, similar styles guess.com.
2/17
One of spring's hottest colors is red, but you'll put your own unique spin on the trend in a smartly-cut suit.
Costume National jacket, $1073, and pants, $601. costumenational.com. Thomas Mason for J.Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. The Tie Bar bow tie (worn in pocket), $19. thetiebar.com.

3/17
Powder blue feels like a throwback in the best way possible, especially when paired with silver brogues.
*Veronica Beard jacket, $795. veronicabeard.com. Paul & Joe vest, $318. paulandjoe.com. Thomas Pink shirt, $185. thomaspink.com. The Tie Bar bow tie, $19, and lapel flower, $8. thetiebar.com. Falke socks, $24. zappos.com. Simone Rocha shoes, $1120. Nordstrom Space. *
4/17
When you're already thinking outside the box, why fall back to statement jewelry? A long velvety ribbon is a feminine play on the bowtie.
Ebonee wears Costume National jacket, $1073, and pants, $601. costumenational.com. Thomas Mason for J.Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. The Tie Bar bow tie (worn in pocket), $19. thetiebar.com. Stefany wears Amator jacket, $362, and pants, $219. amatorcollection.com. Atea Oceanie shirt, $260. Baazar Boutique, Norway. Mignonne Gavigan tie, $140. mignonnegavigan.com. Guess belt, similar styles guess.com.

5/17
This should prove once and for all that florals don't have to be girly. Paired with athletic socks and a black tie, this suit goes straight from the dance floor to the skate park.
No. 21 jacket, $1024, and shorts, $700. Brooks Brothers shirt, $98. Brooks Brothers. Calvin Klein White Label tie, $65. calvinklein.com. Huf socks, $14. hufworldwide.com. Hogan shoes, $400. hogan.com.
6/17
Parisian brand Jacquemus made waves for its deconstructed interpretation of menswear staples. You'll make waves for this ultra cool look.
*Jacquemus jacket, $650, and pants, $390. jacquemus.com. Thom Browne shirt, $135. Thom Browne. M&J Trimming flower pin, $12. mjtrim.com. Dr Martens creepers, $130. drmartens.com. *

7/17
Think of a jacket with tails as the menswear-inspired version of a dress with a train: It's all about the drama.
Natasha wears Faith Connexion jacket, price upon request. faith-connexion.com. Thomas Mason for J. Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. Rag & Bone pants, $395. Rag & Bone. Chanel belt, $975. Chanel. Church's shoes, $600. church-footwear.com. Ebonee wears Costume National jacket, $1073, and pants, $601. costumenational.com. Thomas Mason for J.Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. The Tie Bar bow tie (worn in pocket), $19. thetiebar.com. Falke socks, $24. zappos.com. Laurence Decade shoes, $1070. [email protected].
8/17
A look this strong requires equally major accessories, like a thick chain.
*Amator jacket, $362, and pants, $219. amatorcollection.com. Atea Oceanie shirt, $260. Baazar Boutique, Norway. Mignonne Gavigan tie, $140. mignonnegavigan.com. Guess belt, similar styles guess.com. *

9/17
That stash of vintage pins you've been saving up isn't just for your denim jacket anymore. Pile them on the lapels for an added dose of attitude.
*BLK DNM jacket, $495. BLK DNM. Uniqlo shirt, $50. Uniqlo. Scosha necklace, $260. scosha.com. Zazzle round pins, $3 each. zazzle.com. KateeMarie square pin, $22. kateemarie.etsy.com. *
10/17
If this doesn't give you prom #SquadGoals, we don't know what will.
*Natasha wears Jacquemus jacket, $650, and pants, $390. jacquemus.com. Thom Browne shirt, $135. Thom Browne. Dr Martens creepers, $130. drmartens.com. Stefany wears Thom Browne jacket, $1890, and pants, $1150. Thom Browne. Brooks Brothers shirt, $98. Brooks Brothers. Hook & Albert lapel pin, $40. hookandalbert.com. The Tie Bar suspenders, $25. thetiebar.com. Laurence Decade shoes, $860. [email protected]. Ebonee wears Costume National jacket, $1073, and pants, $601. costumenational.com. Thomas Mason for J.Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. The Tie Bar bow tie (worn in pocket), $19. thetiebar.com. Falke socks, $24. zappos.com. Laurence Decade shoes, $1070. [email protected]. *

11/17
Slicked back hair and ultra-groomed brows finish up this polished look.
*Veronica Beard jacket, $795. veronicabeard.com. Paul & Joe vest, $318. paulandjoe.com. Thomas Pink shirt, $185. thomaspink.com. The Tie Bar bow tie, $19, and lapel flower, $8. thetiebar.com. *
12/17
Lean back — or in, or sideways, or whichever way you want. In a suit, your dance moves will never be limited by stiff style.
*Jacquemus jacket, $650, and pants, $390. jacquemus.com. Thom Browne shirt, $TK. TK. Dr Martens creepers, $130. drmartens.com. *

13/17
Two suit sets, two completely different looks — see what we mean about not blending in?
Ebonee wears No. 21 jacket, $1024, and shorts, $700. Brooks Brothers shirt, $98. Brooks Brothers. Calvin Klein White Label tie, $65. calvinklein.com. Huf socks, $14. hufworldwide.com. Hogan shoes, $400. hogan.com. Stefany wears McQ blazer and chain, $830. mcq.com. Ashley Williams sweatshirt and pants, price upon request. ashleywilliamslondon.com. Explorer's Press pin, $5. explorerspress.com. Chrome Hearts ring, $860. chromehearts.com. Darner Socks socks, $36. darnersocks.com. Stacy Adams shoes, $100. stacyadams.com.
14/17
The cropped flood pant is having a major style moment. Thankfully, it looks just as cool in a formal cut as it does on your favorite jeans.
*Faith Connexion jacket, price upon request. faith-connexion.com. Thomas Mason for J. Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. Rag & Bone pants, $395. Rag & Bone. Chanel belt, $975. Chanel. Church's shoes, $600. church-footwear.com. *

15/17
Wearing a look as cool as this, we couldn't blame your friends for confusing you for Kate Moss.
Amator jacket, $362, and pants, $219. amatorcollection.com Atea Oceanie shirt, $260. Baazar Boutique, Norway. Mignonne Gavigan tie, $140. mignonnegavigan.com. Guess belt, similar styles guess.com. Dorateymur boots, $557.
Copyright: gorman studio 2009
16/17
Hold on tight: When you look this good, you won't want the night to ever end.
*Stefany wears Thom Browne jacket, $1890, and pants, $1150. Thom Browne. Brooks Brothers shirt, $98. Ebonee wears Costume National jacket, $1073, and pants, $601. costumenational.com. Thomas Mason for J.Crew shirt, $138. jcrew.com. The Tie Bar bow tie (worn in pocket), $19. thetiebar.com. *

17/17
Want more Teen Vogue? Like us on Facebook to stay in the know!

Who’s your favorite model and why? It has to be a toss up between Cara Delevingne and Karlie Kloss — but please don't ask me to choose! What’s your go-to karaoke song? Outkast "Hey Ya," every time. It always gets the room going! If you had to describe yourself in a GIF, what ... Read more

Keywordsprom