By Deborah L Dixon
Dressing smartly and suitably for a date is an area which some men unfortunately overlook and feel they don't need to make an effort dressing for a date. This is the first mistake a man can make when going on a date. Having said that, not all men overlook this area; there are some men who spend hours getting ready for a date but wouldn't admit it. Wherever you decide to go on a date, regardless of the class, it is vital that you appear to have made an effort and turn up looking your best wearing a freshly washed and ironed outfit.
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First impressions can make or break a date, so the importance of looking smart cannot be underestimated. Along with being washed and ironed, clothes must fit properly, be stain free, be hole free, not too tight, not too baggy, not garish and not old and faded. It is also important that the outfit you choose to wear on a date is suitable for the date location plus matches your age. Dressing older or younger than your actual age will only make you stand out.
By dressing too young you may appear like you are trying to recapture your youth resulting in your date believing you have other personal issues going on. Alternatively dressing too old could be off putting for your date. You want your date to look at you and feel happy to be on a date with you, not to wonder what they have got themselves into.
The easiest date to dress for is a casual date. This may include going for a drink in a bar, going out for fast food or a visit to the cinema. For any casual date, it is perfectly acceptable to wear jeans. It does not mean that you can dress down or wear jeans that have seen better days. Jeans should be in good condition and have a perfect fit, especially around the bottom area, which is where most women tend to have a good look at. You can choose between a variety of tops to accompany jeans, such as a t-shirt, a poloshirt, a casual shirt or a sweater. Poloshirts are ideal if you have a good physique and you wish to show it off. If the weather is cold, then a casual jacket is suitable. If you decide to wear a t-shirt, it is best to avoid garish colours and stay away from novelty t-shirts, at least for the first date anyway. If you decide to tuck your top into your trousers, remember to wear a belt to add a finishing touch to your look.
You can get away with wearing jeans on a casual date, but if you are going on a classy date, then they are not appropriate. A more formal look is required for a classy date, such as a visit to the theatre or a meal at a fancy restaurant.
It's a good idea to own a suit, ideally in a dark colour such as charcoal grey or navy, as you can create a number of different looks using just one suit. You can wear a variety of different shirts and ties with a suit or you can change your look entirely by wearing the suit trousers with a casual shirt, or even wear the suit jacket over a casual outfit to create another great look. If you choose to wear casual attire on a classy date then all you will achieve is showing your date that you couldn't be bothered to make an effort, plus you will stand out especially if your date is wearing a stylish dress.
Once you have chosen your outfit, don't ruin the look by wearing inappropriate shoes. Formal footwear should be worn when going on a formal date. Trainers, sandals, pumps and boots are not appropriate. Formal shoes must be clean, match the outfit and comfortable to wear. If you are wearing a belt with your trousers, then ideally your shoes should be the same colour as the belt. Footwear is an area that women tend to notice, so great footwear can leave a great lasting impression on your date.
An active date, such as playing a game of tennis, or going walking together, requires a different look. It is necessary to wear sports gear and not forgetting supportive footwear. Clean modern jogging bottoms or shorts are appropriate, just as long as shorts aren't too small and tight and jogging bottoms aren't baggy at the knees. A t-shirt, long or short sleeved is suitable and if the weather is cold, then a sports jacket or a sweatshirt can be worn. Dressing for a sporty date is not a time to put fashion before comfort. You need to dress in clothes that won't restrict your movement plus feel comfortable to wear; remembering to check that they are clean before you put them on, including your footwear.
If your date has arranged the date and you don't know where you are going, then you need to wear an outfit that is suitable for a range of date locations. A good suggestion is a pair of smart trousers accompanied with a fashionable shirt and a stylish jacket. A stylish jacket, such as a suit jacket will be appropriate if your date has booked a table at a fancy restaurant, and a fashionable shirt is sufficient for any casual date and even a slightly classier date. There is no need to wear a tie, but if you prefer, you could always conceal a tie in your jacket pocket in case you find yourself going to an upmarket venue. If you feel overdressed, you can remove the suit jacket to reveal your casual shirt. It is always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed, which will show that you have made an effort.
Along with clean, ironed, fresh smelling and well fitted clothes, it is a good idea to turn up for a date clean shaven, showered and smelling great. Smelling good is very attractive to women, just don't overdo the aftershave or body spray. Don't leave your decision making to the last minute. Think in advance about what you wish to wear and take your time getting ready. The last thing you want is to turn up for a date feeling flustered and worried because you forgot to shave or put on deodorant. Planning your outfit in advance and looking like you have made an effort are the two main keys to dressing well for a first date.
Deborah has been the head copy writer for Completely Free Dating for over 2 years offering help and advice to its members on all aspects ofonline dating.
Completely Free Dating is a free online dating service for people living in the UK, with absolutely no charges to any member at any time for any service.
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