• For a contemporary Prom look, choose a tie over a bow-tie and a vest instead of a cummerbund. Long ties don’t have to be an exact match, but should coordinate with the vest.

• Don't worry about matching your date's Prom dress exactly. Just try and coordinate with it. If you know your date's dress color and you can't find the exact color vest, you can get a coordinating pocket square.

• If you're going for a more traditional look, choose a three-button jacket and a bow tie. The bow tie should match the cummerbund.

• If possible, get your Prom date to accompany you to the tux shop and bring along her dress or a swatch of the fabric. This is the best way to make sure you'll coordinate on Prom night.

• It's really important to get matching shoes for a formal event like Prom. Most people don't realize this, and then their shoes don't go with their tux.

• Suspenders are an insider's trick. They help to keep the shirt in under the vest, so that halfway through a night of dancing your shirt doesn't start coming out of your pants and looking sloppy.