subject: What to wear for a first date [print this page] What to wear for a first date What to wear for a first date
First dates can be a nerve-wracking experience, whether you're meeting someone for the first time or taking things further with a friend. Luckily, there are ways to ease the stress by following tried-and-tested formulas that will help ensure your date is memorable for all the right reasons.
First impressions can be vital in a relationship, for men and women alike - so however great your personality is, you need to make sure your appearance is similarly impeccable. This doesn't always mean dressing to the nines, of course - if you're arranging a casual date for morning coffee, you'd look pretty strange showing up at Starbucks in a full tuxedo or evening dress! But spending time carefully considering your wardrobe and making sure you're well groomed could be the deciding factor in whether or not you get a second date.
Context is everything when it comes to dressing for dates, and it's possible to make a great, lasting impression whatever the occasion. If you've arranged a casual meet-up during the daytime, showing up dressed scruffily could give your date the impression that you don't care, so wearing a good quality polo shirt, T-shirt or similar top along with well-fitted jeans should be more than enough to demonstrate your confidence in your appearance. If you have a little less confidence, a well-tailored shirt can do wonders for flattering your figure.
On the other hand, if you've arranged a more formal meet-up, like an evening meal or theatre show, you'll have a chance to pull out all the stops and really impress your date. Thanks to TV shows such as Mad Men, suits are very much in right now, but if you're not used to wearing such formal clothing you could consider wearing a good shirt and trousers instead - if you feel uncomfortable in your appearance, it could rub off on your date too. It may seem like an obvious point, but novelty ties are a definite no-no for first dates - if you pride yourself on your humour and personality, let this shine in your behaviour, not your outfit.
Whichever type of outfit you're wearing, don't be afraid of a bit of colour. Well-chosen colours can help you stand out from the crowd, as long as you avoid anything too elaborate, or shirts with prominent, distracting logos. Once you've got your outfit perfected, you should also spend time considering where to meet your date - popular first date tips include classics such as cinemas, but you should make sure that you choose the right type of movie to avoid creating a bad atmosphere. Romantic comedies are usually a winner, so if you're a big horror fan you should probably save that until you know each other a little better.
