Quick Answer: What Colour Should I Wear to Prom?
- Black: classic, sleek and works with any date's outfit.
- Navy or midnight blue: timeless and a little more personal than black.
- Grey: clean and easy to pair with bold accessories.
- Burgundy, green or purple: rich, confident and memorable.
- Pastels: fresh and fun, perfect for spring proms.
If you're going with a date, coordinate with their outfit. If not, choose the colour that feels most like you.
Your prom outfit will live forever in photos, so the colour matters. The right shade makes you look confident and coordinated. The wrong one can wash you out or clash with everyone around you. Here's how to choose.
Start With Your Date (If You Have One)
If your date already has their outfit picked out, let it guide you. You don't need to match exactly. In fact, a complementary colour often looks better. Wear a neutral suit and pick up their colour in your tie, pocket square or vest. Our guide to matching your prom date has seven ways to do it.
Consider the Prom Theme
If your school has a theme, you don't need to dress in costume. A black or navy suit is the perfect base for any theme, and a tie, pocket square or boutonniere can hint at it. For a "Fire and Ice" theme, try a red tie with a black suit. For "Enchanted Garden," a floral pocket square or green accents. See more ideas in our prom theme outfit guide.
Choose a Colour That Fits Your Personality
Black: classic and confident
Black is the most popular prom colour because it always works. It's sleek, slimming and pairs with every date's outfit. Want it to feel modern? Try all black with a black shirt. Shop black prom suits.
Navy and midnight blue: timeless with a twist
Navy feels classic but a little more personal than black. A midnight blue tuxedo with a white shirt looks straight off the red carpet. Shop navy suits.
Grey: clean and versatile
Grey is the perfect neutral base for bold ties and pocket squares. Light grey feels fresh for spring, charcoal feels more formal. Shop grey suits.
Burgundy, green and purple: rich and memorable
Jewel tones are confident without being loud. A burgundy or green suit looks incredible in photos, especially under evening lighting.
Pastels: fresh and fun
Light blue, blush, pink and lilac feel springy and upbeat, and they're great for daytime photos. Read why guys are choosing pastel prom suits, and shop prom pastels.
Red and bright colours: for the main character
A red suit or bold colour is for guys who want all eyes on them. Keep the rest of your outfit simple so the suit does the talking.
Think About Photos
A few quick tips for colours that photograph well:
- Very pale colours can wash out under a camera flash. Add contrast with a darker shirt or tie.
- Rich, mid-tone colours (navy, burgundy, green) look great in both daylight and evening photos.
- If you'll be in a lot of group shots, coordinate with your friends so everyone complements each other. Our prom photo guide has more tips.
Need inspiration for a bold colour? See these red carpet looks to recreate at prom. The same colour tips work for homecoming outfits, too.
For the complete look, see our essential prom style guide.
FAQ
What prom suit colour looks good on everyone?
Navy and charcoal flatter almost every skin tone and hair colour, and they work with any accessories.
Should I match my prom date's colour exactly?
Not necessarily. Coordinating with a complementary shade or picking up their colour in your accessories often looks better than an exact match.
Is black or navy better for prom?
Both are great. Black is the most formal and classic. Navy feels slightly softer and more personal.
Find Your Prom Colour at Tip Top
Shop prom suits in every colour in our match your prom date collection, then explore shirt and suit colour combos to finish your look. Want help in person? Find one of our 80+ locations across Canada.
