Homecoming Tips for Guys: Look Good and Have Fun

6 min read · Aura

The best homecoming tips for guys come down to four things: wear something that fits (fit beats fancy), handle grooming the day before, relax your face and shoulders for photos, and join the dance floor early with your group instead of waiting on the wall. Do those and you'll look good and actually have fun.

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What is homecoming, quickly

Homecoming is a US high school (and some college) tradition, usually in the fall, often September or October. It typically includes a spirit week, a football game and a semi-formal dance. It's less formal than prom and usually more chill. Canada has homecoming at some schools too, and in the UK the closest thing is a school ball or a leavers' do.

What to wear to homecoming

What do guys wear to homecoming? It depends on your school's vibe, but most homecoming attire for guys lands at "semi-formal": dressier than school, less formal than prom.

Homecoming outfit ideas for guys

High school homecoming outfit rules

• Fit is everything. A $40 shirt that fits beats a $200 suit that's too big. Shoulders should sit at your shoulders. Sleeves should end at your wrist bone.
• Pants shouldn't pool at your ankles. A small break or no break at the shoe looks cleaner.
• Match leather colors. Brown shoes, brown belt. Black shoes, black belt.
• Match your date's color if you have one (a tie, pocket square or boutonnière), but it's optional.
• Check the dress code. Some schools post one. If in doubt, dress one step up; you can always take off the tie or blazer.
• Test your shoes. You're going to be standing and dancing for hours. New dress shoes can destroy your feet.

Clean white sneakers are a totally valid homecoming move at a lot of schools, if they're actually clean. Scuffed gym shoes, not so much.

Grooming the day before

This is where most guys lose points without realizing it. Handle grooming the day before, not the hour before.

Homecoming grooming checklist

• Haircut 3-5 days before, not the day of. Fresh cuts can look too sharp or have a line that needs a couple days to settle.
• Shave or trim facial hair the night before or morning of. If you shave, go slow; razor bumps are not the look.
• Nails clean and trimmed. People notice hands in photos.
• Skin: wash your face, and use a basic moisturizer if you have one.
• Iron or steam your shirt the night before.
• Scent: a little goes a long way. Two sprays max of cologne or body spray. Nobody wants to taste your Axe from three feet away.
• Deodorant. Obviously. Dancing gets sweaty.

Photos without looking stiff

Homecoming pictures for guys are often... tragic. Arms stuck to the sides, forced smile, locked knees. Here's the fix.

Quick photo tips

• Shift your weight onto one leg. Instantly less stiff.
• Give your hands a job: one in a pocket, adjusting a cuff, or holding your jacket.
• Angle your body slightly instead of facing the camera square-on.
• Chin slightly forward and down. It sharpens your jawline and avoids the double chin angle.
• Think of something funny right before the shot. Real smiles look way better than fake ones.
• Take a few candid-ish ones. Laughing with friends, walking, looking away. These often end up as the best pics.

Want more ideas? Our prom poses for pictures guide works just as well for homecoming.

The dance floor: how to join in

This is the part most guys dread. How do you dance at homecoming without looking weird? Here's the secret: nobody's watching you as closely as you think. Everyone's worried about themselves.

How to dance at homecoming (even if you can't dance)

1. Go in with your group. Dance floors are way easier as a circle of friends.
2. Join early. The longer you wait on the wall, the harder it gets. Go in on the second or third song.
3. Start small. Nodding, stepping side to side, moving your shoulders to the beat. That's enough.
4. Know the group songs. Most homecomings play line dances and hype songs (think "Cha Cha Slide," "Cupid Shuffle"). Everyone does them badly together. That's the fun.
5. Match energy, don't compete. You don't need moves. You need to look like you're having a good time.
6. Slow songs: if you're with a date, hands on their waist, sway side to side, and talk. That's genuinely it.

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What to do at homecoming besides dance

• Hit the photo booth with friends
• Grab food or drinks and talk
• Go outside for air when you need it
• Hype up your friends on the floor

Going with friends vs a date

Should you go to homecoming alone, with friends or with a date? Honestly, all three are normal.

With a date

• Coordinate outfit colors if you want
• Plan who's driving or getting dropped off
• Check in with them during the night; don't ditch them for your friends

With friends

• Lower pressure and often more fun
• Plan a group dinner or photos beforehand
• Great for getting on the dance floor together

Solo

• Totally valid. You'll know people there.
• Find your friend group at the dance
• Leave when you want

If you're asking someone to homecoming, keep it simple and give them an easy out: "Want to go to homecoming with me? No worries if you've got plans." Big public promposal-style asks can put people on the spot.

Homecoming night checklist

Day before

• Outfit ironed and hung up
• Shoes tested and cleaned
• Nails and grooming done
• Ticket bought and saved

Day of

• Shower, deodorant, light scent
• Phone charged
• ID, ticket, money or card
• Mints or gum
• Plan for getting there and back

Walk into homecoming like you belong there

These homecoming tips for guys cover the fit, the photos and the dance floor; the last piece is how you carry yourself when you walk in. Aura's two-minute quiz shows where your aura leaks, from shrinking in the doorway to body language that gives you away, and gives you a 14-move plan, one small thing a day to do, say or wear. You pay once, nothing to cancel.

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FAQ

What do guys wear to homecoming?

Most guys wear semi-formal outfits: a dress shirt with chinos or dress pants, sometimes a blazer or suit, with dress shoes, loafers or clean white sneakers. A tie is optional at most schools. Check your school's dress code, and prioritize fit over price.

How should a guy dress for homecoming if he doesn't own a suit?

A well-fitting button-down, tailored pants and clean shoes is enough for most homecomings. You can add a borrowed blazer if you want to dress it up. Iron everything the night before.

How do you dance at homecoming if you can't dance?

Go onto the floor with your friends early, and keep it simple: step side to side and move to the beat. Join group songs like line dances, where everyone's goofy together. Looking like you're having fun matters more than having moves.

Is it okay to go to homecoming alone?

Yes. Lots of students go solo or meet friends there. You'll likely know people, and going alone means you can leave whenever you want.

What are the best homecoming tips for pictures?

Shift your weight to one leg, give your hands a job like a pocket or cuff, angle your body slightly and think of something funny right before the shot. Candid photos with friends often come out best.