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Sarah Mitchell — Reviewed writer, former magazine editor

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How to Handle Dress for Homecoming Step by Step

When dress for homecoming leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.

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Part 1

Wearing a Dress

Choose a color that will flatter your skin tone.

Look for clothes in the colors you think look best on you. If you have a warmer skin tone, choose shades like gold, red, coral, or fuschia. If your skin tone is cool, opt for silver, blue, green, or purple.

Look for clothes in the colors you think look best on you.
If you have a warmer skin tone, choose shades like gold, red, coral, or fuschia.
If your skin tone is cool, opt for silver, blue, green, or purple.
Look for clothes in the colors you think look best on you.
If you have a warmer skin tone, choose shades like gold, red, coral, or fuschia.

Ask older friends how formal your dress should be.

If you need help deciding what to wear, it's always a good idea to ask someone who's already been! If you have friends or siblings who have been to Homecoming, ask them what they wore, or what they noticed other people wearing. This will help give you a good idea how formal your school’s Homecoming dance is.

If you need help deciding what to wear, it's always a good idea to ask someone who's already been!
If you have friends or siblings who have been to Homecoming, ask them what they wore, or what they noticed other people wearing.
This will help give you a good idea how formal your school’s Homecoming dance is.
If you need help deciding what to wear, it's always a good idea to ask someone who's already been!
If you have friends or siblings who have been to Homecoming, ask them what they wore, or what they noticed other people wearing.

Match your dress to your date or your friends.

If you're going to Homecoming with a date or as part of a big group of friends, you can try to coordinate your dress to the colors they'll be wearing.

If you're going to Homecoming with a date or as part of a big group of friends, you can try to coordinate your dress to the colors they'll be wearing.
If you're going to Homecoming with a date or as part of a big group of friends, you can try to coordinate your dress to the colors they'll be wearing.
If you're going to Homecoming with a date or as part of a big group of friends, you can try to coordinate your dress to the colors they'll be wearing.
If you're going to Homecoming with a date or as part of a big group of friends, you can try to coordinate your dress to the colors they'll be wearing.
If you're going to Homecoming with a date or as part of a big group of friends, you can try to coordinate your dress to the colors they'll be wearing.

Part 2

Suiting Up

Wear a suit and tie for a semi-formal look.

Most Homecoming dances are semi-formal. Opt for a nice suit and a button-down shirt. Fit is important for masculine styles, so if you can, have your jacket tailored so it will fit you perfectly.

Most Homecoming dances are semi-formal.
Opt for a nice suit and a button-down shirt.
Fit is important for masculine styles, so if you can, have your jacket tailored so it will fit you perfectly.
Most Homecoming dances are semi-formal.
Opt for a nice suit and a button-down shirt.

Buy or rent a tux for a formal dance.

LaTricia Brown Master Tailor & Creative Director Expert Interview If your Homecoming is formal, you may want to choose to wear a tuxedo. If you don't already own one, you can rent a tux from many stores which carry menswear.

LaTricia Brown Master Tailor & Creative Director Expert Interview If your Homecoming is formal, you may want to choose to wear a tuxedo.
If you don't already own one, you can rent a tux from many stores which carry menswear.
LaTricia Brown Master Tailor & Creative Director Expert Interview If your Homecoming is formal, you may want to choose to wear a tuxedo.
If you don't already own one, you can rent a tux from many stores which carry menswear.
LaTricia Brown Master Tailor & Creative Director Expert Interview If your Homecoming is formal, you may want to choose to wear a tuxedo.

Opt for a jumpsuit if you want to look feminine without wearing a dress.

Dressy jumpsuits or pantsuits are a great way to be comfortable while still being ready for a Homecoming dress! Look a jumpsuit in a flowy material with dressy embellishments like gemstones or a bow.

Dressy jumpsuits or pantsuits are a great way to be comfortable while still being ready for a Homecoming dress!
Look a jumpsuit in a flowy material with dressy embellishments like gemstones or a bow.
Dressy jumpsuits or pantsuits are a great way to be comfortable while still being ready for a Homecoming dress!
Look a jumpsuit in a flowy material with dressy embellishments like gemstones or a bow.
Dressy jumpsuits or pantsuits are a great way to be comfortable while still being ready for a Homecoming dress!

Part 3

Accessorizing

Choose a corsage or boutonniere if you have a date.

It's customary to give your date a corsage or a boutonniere. A boutonniere is a small spray of flowers that is typically worn on a suit lapel, while a corsage is more elaborate and can be worn on the wrist or pinned to a dress.

It's customary to give your date a corsage or a boutonniere.
A boutonniere is a small spray of flowers that is typically worn on a suit lapel, while a corsage is more elaborate and can be worn on the wrist or pinned to a dress.
It's customary to give your date a corsage or a boutonniere.
A boutonniere is a small spray of flowers that is typically worn on a suit lapel, while a corsage is more elaborate and can be worn on the wrist or pinned to a dress.
It's customary to give your date a corsage or a boutonniere.

Carry a small clutch if you want to bring a purse.

You don't want to have to keep up with a heavy bag while you're dancing the night away. If you need a bag to keep your lipstick and phone, choose a lightweight wristlet or a clutch that coordinates with your outfit.

You don't want to have to keep up with a heavy bag while you're dancing the night away.
If you need a bag to keep your lipstick and phone, choose a lightweight wristlet or a clutch that coordinates with your outfit.
You don't want to have to keep up with a heavy bag while you're dancing the night away.
If you need a bag to keep your lipstick and phone, choose a lightweight wristlet or a clutch that coordinates with your outfit.
You don't want to have to keep up with a heavy bag while you're dancing the night away.

Choose shoes that will be comfortable for dancing.

You might want to wear a sky-high pair of heels or a brand-new pair of wingtips, but make sure that your feet will be comfortable. Nothing will ruin your Homecoming night faster than uncomfortable shoes.

You might want to wear a sky-high pair of heels or a brand-new pair of wingtips, but make sure that your feet will be comfortable.
Nothing will ruin your Homecoming night faster than uncomfortable shoes.
You might want to wear a sky-high pair of heels or a brand-new pair of wingtips, but make sure that your feet will be comfortable.
Nothing will ruin your Homecoming night faster than uncomfortable shoes.
You might want to wear a sky-high pair of heels or a brand-new pair of wingtips, but make sure that your feet will be comfortable.

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