| «Back To Articles
What to Wear on a First Date
The world of dating is a complicated one. Sometimes we walk down the street and see people together and we can’t quite figure out how that relationship came to be. Maybe it’s his sense of humor. Perhaps he drives a really nice car. Is he a really, really good cook?
It certainly doesn’t hurt if he’s a great dresser.
We’ve all heard the old saying, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." Well, how you look is a vital part of a first impression as people infer a lot about someone they meet based on how they are dressed.
Make sure you get off on the right foot.
What’s the occasion?
The single most important thing to take into account is what you are going to be doing on your date. Although you may be comfortable in jeans and a sport coat, this outfit will not be appropriate if you’re headed to a summer cookout. Not only will you seem out of place, but you will be immensely uncomfortable when it’s your turn to bat and you step up to the plate at the picnic.
Where are you?
Similar events can have differing levels of formality depending on where they take place. For instance, dinner at a five-star restaurant requires a different dress code than dinner at someone’s house. Likewise, what you wear to an outdoor concert should be different than what you put on to attenda performance by the New York Philharmonic.
How do you define your style?
There’s no denying that personal style plays a role in how you dress. However, it should always serve the occasion. With that said, as long as you adhere to the broad standards of attire for wherever you are headed, you are free to inject some of your own style into your outfit. Add a patterned shirt or a brightly-colored tie to give your look a bit of flash. Or, perhaps you prefer a bowtie to a necktie when heading out to dinner. Most of the time you will have ample opportunities to personalize your ensemble.
Follow these tips to ensure you look impressive when your date finally lays their eyes on you. But, securing a second date, well, we’re going to have to leave that up to you.
Good luck.
