HOCO Style, ISW Style

ISW Menswear Blog — Dallas • Frisco • Richardson • Arlington • Mesquite

Every homecoming season, we get the same question from guys walking through our doors: "What am I even supposed to wear to this?" There's no single right answer — it depends on your budget, how dressed-up you want to be, and honestly, how much attention you're trying to get on the dance floor. So instead of one generic outfit, we broke it down the way we'd talk you through it in-store: by how far you want to take it.

Level 1: Low-Key & Easy

You don't need a full suit to look like you put thought into it. These two combos take five minutes to put together and still look sharp in every photo.

— Shirt, Tie, No Jacket

A well-fitted dress shirt and tie, worn over dark jeans or chinos, is the fastest way to look pulled-together without renting anything. Let the tie carry the personality — a bold color or print works if your shirt is plain, and a quieter tie works if your shirt's already got a pattern going. Grab both off the same rack in our Shirts & Accessories section so the colors are guaranteed to work together.

— Vest Over a Dress Shirt

Ditch the jacket and layer a fitted vest over your dress shirt instead. It reads more finished than a shirt-and-tie alone, without the commitment of a full suit. Keep the shirt classic — white or light blue — and let the vest do the talking in a color or texture that's a little different from what your friends will be wearing.

Level 2: Dressed Up, Your Way

This is the sweet spot for most homecoming guys — a real suit, but styled so it doesn't feel stiff or borrowed.

— Suit With Clean Sneakers

Swap the dress shoes for sneakers and a suit instantly feels less formal-dance and more your-night. The only rule: pick a pair that complements the suit's color, not one that fights it. Not sure what works? Crisp white sneakers are close to foolproof. Our suits come in Modern, Slim, and Big & Tall fits, so this one works no matter your build.

— Separates in Contrasting Colors

Nobody said the jacket and pants have to match. Pair a colored vest or sport coat with a contrasting pair of dress pants for a suit that looks custom-built, even though it's built from pieces already on our racks. It's the move for guys who'd rather not show up in the same black-on-black combo as half the gym.

Level 3: All In

For the guys who want homecoming to feel like a real event — this is where we send them.

— Tuxedo & Bow Tie

A tux with a bow tie (not a necktie) is still the most reliable way to look like you tried the hardest without trying that hard — you just show up, we handle the fit. Pick your lapel: peak for the most formal look, notch if you want it a touch more relaxed, shawl if you want something different from everyone else's suit. Our Tuxedo Package covers the whole top-to-bottom look.

Don't Forget the Homecoming Group Photo

Whatever level you land on, if you're taking pictures with a date or a group, spend two extra minutes on color. A tie or vest pulled from her dress color, or matching accent colors across your friend group, is what makes the photos worth printing. Our in-store stylists color-match for free — just bring a picture of the dress or the group's color scheme when you come in.

Big & Tall Guys Get the Same Options

One thing you won't find in most homecoming guides: real sizing for guys who aren't a standard fit. Every look above — sneakers, separates, tux and all — is stocked in our Big & Tall line too, tailored the same day, so "they didn't have my size" is never the reason your homecoming fit falls flat.

However you decide to wear it, homecoming is your night to show up looking — and feeling — like the best version of yourself. Stop by your nearest ISW Menswear and let's build a look you'll want to see in the photos.

ISW Menswear — Elevate Your Style for Every Special Moment.