High School Formals

FOR THE BOYS: Top 5 Tips for being a great date!

06 July 2011 by admin in Fashion, Homepage, Latest, Uncategorized

Gentlemen of Australia, no doubt you’re looking forward to your high school formal (whenever your particular one comes around), but whilst you’re busy planning for your big night don’t forget to take some time to think about how you can make your partners night even more memorable.

Here are a few tips to consider as you’re making preparations. These simple tips will help you show your date that you care enough to consider her needs as well as your own;

1. Tickets: Do you plan to pay or go Dutch?

One of the first problems that arises around formal time is who pays for the tickets? Whilst it may have been de rigueur for our parents’ generation for the gentleman to pay, these days you can inadvertently cause offence for paying without asking. The easiest way to address this issue is communication; just ask.

2. Powder blue tux or Bond, James Bond?

Your date will be spending countless hours and dollars finding the right dress for her big night, so before you decide to bust out the powder blue tux and matching top hat, find out if (a) you’re likely to offend your date or (b) if this classic tux combo actually matches what she’s wearing (hey, it might happen…!).

An alternative may be to go with the more classic tuxedo look with accoutrements (such as tie, cummerbund, top hat) that match your partner’s dress. It always looks great and it’s a safe bet that most women will love (plus it works for 007 so who are we mere mortals to argue…).

3. A corsage says what?

Buying boutonnieres and corsages is another potential minefield on your big night. This is a duty that typically falls to the guy, however in recent times it’s become more of an option than a mandatory accessory. Easy fix thought, as with point #1 above, the easiest thing you can do is ask; she may prefer a bunch of flowers, or even a single rose, rather than a corsage she has to wear all night!

4. How formal is formal?

Now it may sound like a stupid question, but do you know how formal your formal will be? If it’s a traditional formal, will your partner expect you in full tuxedo tails and top hat? And if it’s not fully formal, what level of informal does your partner have in mind?

You don’t want to be the guy showing up wearing a shirt and tie with your partner wearing a fancy dress that makes you (and her) look silly. Once again, it never hurts to ask!

5. Pick up and return

One of the most serious issues to consider on the night is how you will be getting to, and back from, your formal. Are you planning to use a town car or limousine service, or if your budget doesn’t permit, are you planning to drive?

Either way, on your big night there will more than likely be drinking involved for some of the attendees, so if you plan to drive that means zero alcohol. And if you’re not planning to drive but do intend to drink, remember that if you drink too much you risk spoiling your dates night as well as costing yourself additional money (limousine companies don’t return deposits if people are ‘ill’ in their vehicles).

More than anything else, this is a safety issue; a taxi is always a better option than driving after a few drinks. And if all your plans fall through and you can’t find a taxi, bus, camel or train, call your parents for a lift. Don’t drink and drive!

Final thought…

You don’t have to look like Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig to act like a gentleman, all it takes is a willingness to consider your partner as equally as yourself. Spending time thinking about your date and how you can help her have a better, safer night, shows her that you care as well as marks you as a real gentleman.