Promenade. It truly is that time of year when pupils make a dramatic entrance with their glamorous outfits for the massive dance.

Historically prom is all about the dresses. By means of the several years they have progressed from extended gowns with entire sleeves to off-the-shoulder minis. Ruffles, satin, lace, sequins — you identify it. But what about the guys’ outfits? Usually they put on a basic tuxedo or a suit — with a coloration-coordinated cummerbund and bow tie to complement their date’s dress, of system.

But that was then.

Zack Dahbour, manager of Zak’s Avenue Fashions, a men’s clothing retail outlet in Louisville, Skip., (pronounced LOUIS-ville) claims he observed that promenade vogue began transforming a few a long time in the past.

“The fellas who occur in want extravagant, not conventional. They even want their sneakers fancy,” he states.

Throughout promenade season, quite a few of the learners hire or get their outfits at Zak’s. Dahnour states they have the two vintage and trendy styles. But in current many years, the college students want designs that replicate their personalities.

The fellas are selecting out embossed floral blazers and magnificent velvet fits in a symphony of hues. For their shoes, they have ditched shoelaces for slip-on loafers that vary from jacquard print to metallic-glitter-spiked creations. Any shade goes.

“The aged faculty looked first rate and stylish. Everyone wore the identical. For the new faculty, we wanna set a development,” says Emory James, a senior at Louisville Significant University, who requested his match online.

This was his initial time attending promenade, and he went with his girlfriend, Ayma Whitfield.

Emory James and Ayma Whitfield. Emory wore an embroidered black and inexperienced gold-trimmed go well with. Rather of a button-down shirt, he chose a turtleneck. His sneakers are black-studded, red-soled loafers.

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Jack King Media


Emory James and Ayma Whitfield. Emory wore an embroidered black and inexperienced gold-trimmed accommodate. In its place of a button-down shirt, he selected a turtleneck. His sneakers are black-studded, purple-soled loafers.

Jack King Media

About 5 miles down the road from Zak’s is Fantabulous Formals. If anyone is wanting for a conventional black-tie tux or a prom match, this is the place to go. Nonetheless, there is certainly a person request all the guys make that is not regular.

“Slim in good shape — they want their jacket and pants slender, and they want their trousers ankle size or larger,” states Mary Jo Miller, a seamstress at Fantabulous Formals.

At the very same time, coloration coordinating with one’s day is even now regular — and trendy.

LHS Senior Gabrielle Cistrunk claims her day, Cameron Frazier, wanted her to agree on royal blue. Just a couple of times prior to prom, Cameron wouldn’t say if he’d identified a accommodate.

“I was nervous about promenade since daily life has thrown so numerous trials towards us, and we are applied to matters heading mistaken,” Gabrielle claims.

Back in 2020, prom was canceled for lots of students about the nation since of the coronavirus. In an try to check out and rectify that predicament, two photographers in the Washington, D.C., spot had some other college students gown up for prom pictures in any case.

Right here in Louisville, just after last but not least viewing Cameron, Gabrielle got a surprise.

“The suit, the shoes were being a shock to me. As we like to say, he recognized the assignment.”

Cameron Frazier and Gabrielle Cistrunk. Cameron wore an embroidered white fit, with blue sequins on the lapel and the bottom of the legs. His footwear highlighted blue sequin trim.

Tamara Frazier


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Tamara Frazier


Cameron Frazier and Gabrielle Cistrunk. Cameron wore an embroidered white go well with, with blue sequins on the lapel and the bottom of the legs. His footwear showcased blue sequin trim.

Tamara Frazier

But Emory and Cameron had been not the only men obtaining extravagant from LHS. Tre’Jon Coburn and Jatavious Cashmier Hunt also dressed up:

Tre’Jon Coburn and Jatavious Cashmier Hunt.

Nanette Coburn


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Nanette Coburn


Tre’Jon Coburn and Jatavious Cashmier Hunt.

Nanette Coburn

A person could argue that all the men stole the spotlight — but which is not the discussion any of these students cared to have. They have been just delighted to be equipped to attend prom and considered that everybody appeared excellent.

That inclusive mindset seems to be aspect of the new-faculty way. Anybody care to dance?