Kamehameha Schools junior Mikel Okouchi models for his parents, Mark and Natalie. He rented the tailless tux because he wanted a less formal look.
Photo by Dennis Oda

Guys, shawl jackets are in;
forget the penguin suit

By Star-Bulletin staff

Wear a tie or not wear a tie? How about a vest? Dress in a black or white tuxedo? With tails or without? Decisions, decisions. The clock is ticking. Who says young men don't have prom anxieties?

Well, to make life easier, listen up, young men: Leave the cummerbund and bow tie at home. The in thing to wear is a shawl jacket with a full vest, said Julene Padaca, Tuxedo Junction's general manager.

"The guys are looking for a different style in shirts. Instead of wearing the wingtip shirt with a bow tie, they would rather wear a collar-banded shirt. It's a little softer and less confining," Padaca said.

Leave the penguin suit home. Shawl jackets are the rage. "It's a tad longer than the dinner jacket and a little fuller, so they can move around."

Surprisingly, the zoot suit is coming back, Padaca said. "It's a novelty look, retro '40s with baggy-baggy pants, jacket to the knees with suspenders."

Tuxedo Junction has only a few zoot suits. A tuxedo rents from $30 to $105. "Most of our prom kids want to stand out, and they want to be unique. They are almost like girls. They don't want to see another guy in the same outfit."


Main Story: Prom Dressing



Text Site Directory: [News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Community] [Info] [Stylebook] [Feedback]