Ball Season guide for guys

Ball style

Don’t think the glamour is all for the girls, there are some fine options for hiring formal, tailored suits in a range of styles to make sure you’re looking your best on the big night.

From the Bond-style dinner suit to the bright, yellow zoot suit Jim Carrey donned in The Mask – there is no shortage of styles, colours and looks to go for.

Black is the classic colour for formal evening dress, but don’t be afraid to be different. Just make sure you check with the person you’re going to the ball with – you’ll make more of an impression if you’re dressed in complementary styles.

A formal occasion

Evening tails are the traditional formal wear, with a bow tie, a winged shirt, and a cummerbund round the waist.

If you’ve never been fitted for a suit before, just be aware that they do need to measure your inner arm, your chest, your neck and your inner leg – to make sure the suit fits properly all over. And remember you need room to move in the suit, you’re going to be dancing the night away.

Save embarrassment with dancing lessons

If your school doesn’t provide them, consider getting some ballroom dancing lessons with your partner. Ballroom dancing is a real skill and getting some practice in is a good way to avoid embarrassing moments on the dance floor.

And speaking of embarrassing, DO NOT attempt to dip, sway, hurl, tumble or spin your partner unless you know what you are doing. Think Rodney Hide on Dancing with the Stars. You don’t want to go there, and neither does your date.

Tips for the big night:

Try to find some comfortable dress shoes – and polish them beforehand. Wear them in before the night – they’ll be on for hours, so make it’s not the first time you wear them… Shoes can be hired too – so if dress shoes aren’t something you’ll keep in your wardrobe, hire them.
Book your suit in advance, you don’t want to be left with an ill-fitting, last-minute suit
Treat the suit with respect – don’t spill raspberry and coke, or any other refreshment, on it – you’ll end up with a dry cleaning bill.
Get the suit back on time – it’ll save you money.

Sites for suits

Sergios has an excellent website, with online and downloadable fitting guides, plus small and large images of the suits that are available – and you can book online.
Munns Menswear has a suit hire section with a wide range of styles including traditional suits evening wear, bow ties and waistcoats.
O’Keefe’s Suit Hire have 25 styles of suits, and 36 waistcoats – which should be enough for anybody.
You could even hire a kilt from Kildonan House

Enjoy your night!

Updated February 2008

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Ball Season guide for guys

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