“What should I wear…I have nothing to wear on my first date!” quipped a friend who was a bundle of nerves. He was going on his first date with a ‘looker’ and he wanted to be turn out to be ‘The Perfect 10.’ His staid blue jeans and a tee shirt weren’t going to give him any number, least of all a 10.
Gone are the days wherein a man can get away with his unkempt looks. The decade of grunge music and baggy clothes, wherein men got away with wearing ripped jeans and flannel shirts and calling them “fashion statements” are long gone. With Queer Eye’s popularity and the emergence of the “metro sexual” as the new trend for men, getting dapper on your first date is a must!
We women, expect a man who knows how to dress. And yes, we also tend to judge a man on his appearance on a date. The clothes you wear can make or break a romantic interlude, so I recommend it is wise to dress accordingly. Remember that your date is likely to spending hours selecting an outfit. And it does not do you any good to spend more than two seconds grabbing a T-shirt out of the “clean” pile on your floor.
The first thing to think about when dressing for a first date is, of course, where you are going.
But one golden rule is that no matter how casual your destination, looking clean, crisp, and put together cannot hurt.
Coffee shop cool - Pair jeans with a casual winter sweater or cardigan and T-shirt. Pick colors that complement your skin tone and eye color (ask a sales clerk for help if you lack confidence shopping or suffer from color blindness). Ditch the old runners and opt for a pair of casual leather boots or shoes and take time to give them a polish.
If dinner is what’s on the cards, then I recommend choose items that act as a backdrop to let your personality shine through. A cargo pant, unstructured jacket and tailored shirt combination. The outfit shouldn't overwhelm the wearer. It should say you are successful, in tune with trends and enjoy quality, but at the same time you are relaxed and casual by nature.
Wear clothes that fit you well and show off your best assets. A well-fitting pair of jeans or khakis with a cotton button down or polo (also well-fitting) will show off your shape and flatter you, regardless of how buff (or unbuff) you are. Huge and oversized is not the way to go, nor is the too-tight and shiny approach.
And if you thought that it was an old woman’s tale that women judge men by their shoes, then you are way off the mark. Because many women judge men by their shoes, which sounds silly, but is very true. A man, who takes care of his appearance, including a “small” detail such as footwear, is likely to take care of his apartment, his car, and in the future, her!
And I would strongly recommend do away -shirts with beer, sport or rock group logos. You don't want to come off looking like college kid on the run, do you?
Don’t bling it on. The ‘metro sexual’ look tends to take shades of going heavy on bling. Most women like their men to look like men and when I say that, I mean keep away from the chunky jewellery. Walk the minimalist path – A watch and a ring or necklace will do the trick just fine.
Only wear sandals if you have good feet -- yellow toe-nails are not sexy.
Don't show off your tattoos, play it safe and save them for a showing on a later date.
I would recommend a fresh haircut. Neck and sideburns well trimmed. And brush your teeth before you step out. You just may get lucky for the first kiss on your first date.
Never try to impress your date with inside fashion knowledge if you don't know what you are talking about. Chances are she will know more than you and will see through your act.
Give your date a compliment on what she's wearing. Even if you dislike her outfit, find one thing to focus on and be complimentary.
And last but not the least, wear a great pair of underwear. You just may get lucky to get an invitation to a nightcap!
