How to dress for a first date

• PREPARE YOUR OUTFIT AHEAD OF TIME

  A first date can be nerve-wracking enough as it is. Being prepared and feeling comfortable can eliminate a lot of the stress that goes into this. Trying your outfit on the day before and making sure that each part of your outfit is ready (dry cleaned, ironed) will help you feel at ease.

• TAKE IT SERIOUSLY

  Dressing your best will show that you are committed and that you find the date important. Remember – “you will never get a second chance to make a first impression.” You’re being matched with attractive, well-dressed people, and you want them to have the same opinion of you!

• STRENGTHEN YOUR POSITIVE FEATURES / KNOW WHAT FLATTERS YOU

  Think of the outfits you have worn in the past that have made you feel the most confident. Which features did they highlight? What made you feel confident in this outfit?

• IF YOU’RE NOT SURE… ASK YOUR FRIENDS

  Sometimes others can identify styles and colours that flatter you more clearly than you can yourself. Try on a few outfits for friends to get a second opinion.

• DRESS FOR THE OCCASION

  Consider the activity when deciding your outfit. You want to be prepared for the date that you’re going on. You want to be well dressed, but if the occasion is casual, you don’t want to overdo it. If the date is more casual, you can look more relaxed, but make sure that you don’t look sloppy.

• DON’T EXPERIMENT

  Choose something that suits your personal style and that isn’t too far off your usual style of clothing. Others can tell when you don’t look comfortable, and your confidence will not be able to shine through.

• REMEMBER THE DETAILS

  The basics are always important. Make sure that you are well groomed. Fresh breath, combed hair, cologne or perfume, and clean nails can make a big difference. For women, if you don’t normally wear a lot of makeup, a first date is not the time to experiment. Again, you want to be the truest version of yourself!

• WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES

  This goes for men and women. This doesn’t mean that you should wear sneakers (if anything, avoid them), but make sure that you’re comfortable walking short distances if the date activity requires you to. Your first date isn’t the time to pull out your five-inch stilettos.