How to Dress to Impress on the First Date

After you finally land that first date with someone you’ve been eyeing months, it’s now time to start thinking about what to wear. You are aware that looking your best will not only make a good impression, but that it will also give you the confidence to be bold and act your best. Go ahead and sort through your wardrobe now—it’s time to throw out those old stained t-shirts, smelly flannels, and worn out sneakers, which you shouldn’t have anyway if they are in a bad condition. Go through the things you have and see if you can put an outfit together or simply go shopping for some new clothes before the date. It’s all in the details, so here are a few ways you can dress to impress on a first date.

Why put in the effort?

Dressing sharp on the first date shows that you put in the effort to look good for your date, and that you respect this date as something important between the two of you. You may not be able to predict whether you are both ultimately suitable for each other, but you can make the decision to put your best foot forward. In all likelihood your date will also put in the effort to look great – make sure you’re keeping up. It’s at least a matter of respect. Return the favor by kicking your style up a notch. The way we dress always commands the way others treat us- for a while at least.

A pressed shirt

Note the word “pressed.” It isn’t enough to pull a wrinkly dress shirt off of your bedroom floor and hope for the best. If you already have a dress shirt, make sure it is ironed and check for any stains. If you do not have any or need a new one, make sure you get one that fits properly. When in doubt, have a tailor take your measurements at your local Nordstrom. One of the biggest mistakes is buying a dress shirt that is too tight in the chest and shoulders. A shirt that is too small will pull the buttons, which will cause wrinkles. Tight shoulders will hinder your movement and probably distract you the entire time. Also, make sure that your shirt sleeves are long enough. Many make the blunder of getting shirts that, when they raise their arms, the shirtsleeves run too high.

If it is a more casual date or you live in a more casual area (looking at you, California) standout with a clean, neutral colored t-shirt or polo.

Don’t wear a shirt with pockets, those are utilitarian shirts and should be worn only in work environments where you need pockets (think policemen). A dress shirt doesn’t feature any pockets.

Jeans or khakis

It’s not imperative to wear dress pants, although they will make you look sharp and dressy. If you don’t opt for dress pans, you can give your look a cool but put together vibe with dark denim jeans or khakis. They need not be brand new, but they cannot be wrinkled, have worn holes, frayed edges, or stains. Paired with a nice dress shirt, this outfit simply can’t go wrong.

A sports coat

Give your outfit the “wow” factor with a crisp sport coat. Depending on the time of year, it can be made of tweed or wool for winters, or linen or cotton for summers. Make sure it drapes well over the shoulder, without any extra pull in the shoulders, and that it has the ability to button in the center without pulling around your torso too much. You should be able to button it and unbutton it with ease.

Accessories

Your date will be checking you out, whether you’re at dinner, the bar, or on a walk in the park. Choose your accessories wisely. For instance, check out men’s watches by MVMT, which offer sleek and classic designs with a contemporary edge. In addition, go for sunglasses that suit your taste. Ray-Bans are always a safe go-to option. Cologne is also a nice touch, but note that less is more, spraying on tons of cologne won’t impress anyone. It’s a lot better to give out a small scent and to allow other details be discovered if you get a good-night kiss.

Shoes

Your outfit will be a disaster if your shoes are not clean. It doesn’t matter if you are taking a walking tour about town or taking your date to a wedding. The shoes you choose for any occasion need to be neat and clean.

Putting your best foot forward on a first date is a way of making sure you will have a great time. Looking your best will not only make a good visual impression, but it will also let your date know a lot about who you are on the inside. “Fashion is instant language” as Miuccia Prada said, so you will be able to “speak” a lot more on your date if you dress to the nines.

Fraquoh and Franchomme