Going on a first date can be nerve-wracking. You want to make the best first impression and look attractive, but you also want to be comfortable and confident. Choosing the right outfit can be tricky. Should you dress up or dress casual? How fancy should you go? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about how to dress for a first date.
What is the most appropriate outfit for a first date?
The most universally appropriate outfit for a first date is smart casual. Smart casual means you aren’t wearing your day-to-day casual wear like jeans and a t-shirt, but you also aren’t getting extremely formal in a suit or elegant dress. Smart casual is a balance of looking put-together and attractive without going over the top.
Some smart casual options for women include:
- A nice blouse with dress pants or a skirt
- A casual dress
- Dark jeans with nice flats or heels
- A skirt or dressy top with booties
Some smart casual options for men include:
- Dark jeans with a button-down shirt
- A polo shirt with nice shoes
- Dark chinos with a casual blazer or sweater
- A button-down shirt tucked into chinos
The key is finding an outfit that flatters your body type and expresses your personal style while still looking neat, crisp, and presentable for a first date. Stay away from clothes that are overly revealing, sloppy, or inappropriate.
What are some first date outfit ideas for women?
Here are some first date outfit ideas for women:
Casual Date Outfits
| Outfit | What Works |
|---|---|
| Little black dress | A little black dress is versatile and always stylish. Dress it up or down with shoes and jewelry. |
| Sequined skirt | A sequined skirt makes a statement. Balances the shine with a silky camisole. |
| Jumpsuit | A figure-flattering jumpsuit exudes sophistication and polish. |
| Wrap dress | Complement your shape with a wrap dress in a bright, lively hue. |
Consider body type, venue, and personal style when planning a date outfit. The most important thing is to feel confident and comfortable with how you look.
What should you wear for drinks or dinner?
If you’re meeting at a nice restaurant or trendy bar or lounge for drinks on a first date, you’ll want to elevate your outfit a few notches above daytime casual. Some date outfit ideas include:
For dinner:
- Little black dress
- Wrap dress
- Printed midi skirt with nice top
For drinks:
- Dark skinny jeans with strappy or chunky heels
- Metallic skirt or sequined camisole with booties or pumps
- Faux leather leggings with an oversized, cozy sweater
Dinner dates call for classic date night staples, while drinks dates offer more leeway to have fun with edgier styles while still looking cute and put-together. Sample accessories to incorporate include sparkly jewelry, a printed scarf, a crossbody bag, or fresh makeup like bold lipstick.
What should men wear on a first date?
Nailing first date style is tricky for men, but some easy outfit formulas make getting ready effortless.
Smart Casual Outfits
Smart casual outfits work for a wide variety of first date activities like meeting at a cafe or cool casual restaurant. Some ideas include:
| Button-down shirt with nice jeans or chinos |
| Polo shirt with fitted pullover sweater or casual blazer |
| Fitted crewneck t-shirt with fitted jacket |
Aim for outfits with well-fitted pieces in neutral or minimal colors without loud branding or distracting patterns. Pair pants and tops in complementary colors and add stylish leather shoes to finish the look.
Dressy Night Out
If you’re stepping it up for dinner at a sophisticated restaurant or elaborate first date activity, opt for dressier elements like these:
| Sport coat with dress shirt and nice slacks |
| Suit jacket with V-neck sweater and dark jeans |
| Button-down shirt with sweater vest and tailored chinos |
Incorporate layers like blazers, sweaters, vests, or jackets. Choose leather dress shoes over sneakers. And don’t forget subtle accessories like nice watches, leather wallets, or patterned ties to polish off dressier date looks.
What are some first date fashion tips?
Dressing for a first date can seem daunting, but keeping these tips in mind makes preparing an outfit straightforward:
Consider the Venue
Dress according to the location or activity planned for your date. A movie night date calls for ultra casual comfort, while a night out at a posh restaurant requires more formal attire. When in doubt, smart casual is a safe bet.
Wear What Makes You Feel Confident
Don’t get caught up in current trends if they don’t mesh with your personal style. When you wear outfits you feel amazing in, it shows through your confidence and happiness.
Focus on Fit
Well-fitted garments are inherently more flattering, polished, and stylish. Ensure your date looks aren’t swimming in excess fabric or overly skintight and revealing.
Add Subtle Touches
Little touches like jewelry, ties, belts, and trendy shoes or handbags add flair without overpowering your first date look.
Keep these fashion tips in mind, but don’t stress excessively about your outfit. Yes, you want look nice, but your date is likely more focused on getting to know your personality!
What colors to wear?
Sticking to solid neutral colors like black, gray, navy, tan, or white ensures your first date outfit looks classic and sophisticated. Pops of color in moderation can also enhance your look:
| Color | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Black | Slimming and elegant |
| White | Fresh and youthful |
| Red | Passionate and alluring |
| Blue | Professional and dependable |
Darker shades make the best background colors to build a date outfit around. Then add splashes of your date’s favorite hue or a color you feel fabulous in. Just don’t overdo it with bright mismatched shades.
What to wear in warm or cold weather?
Dressing for a first date becomes extra challenging when extreme weather enters the equation! Follow these tips to stay stylish in the cold or heat:
Warm Weather Date Attire
In hot temps, steer clear of thick, heavy fabrics. Lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen, chiffon, and cotton work best. Some ideas include:
| Sundress or skirt with sandals |
| Shorts and breezy blouse |
| Lightweight trousers with tank top |
Show some skin but keep outfits tasteful. Sleeveless styles, flirty skirts or shorts, and intricate cutouts or back details inject romance without sacrificing sophistication. Finish with sunglasses and glowy makeup that won’t melt away.
Cold Weather Date Attire
Winter first dates call for warm layers you can mix and match for heat. Options include:
| Chunky sweater with jeans and booties |
| Fuzzy pullover with a skirt and tights |
| Thermal shirt under a casual blazer |
Cozy knits, insulated jackets, sealskin boots, and soft blankets Retain warmth without adding bulk. Don’t be afraid to embrace cold weather trends like bold plaids, puffer coats, and faux fur accents either! Just shed pieces as necessary if you get overheated.
What footwear should you choose?
Along with complementing your outfit, first date shoes need to match the activity and venue.
Casual dates: Flats, sandals, sneakers
Dressier dates: Heels, booties, leather shoes
Some other date footwear considerations:
- Weather: Closed-toe shoes in winter, breezy sandals in summer
- Comfort level: Broken-in shoes you can walk in
- Occasion: Fancier shoes for upscale locations
Aim for footwear you not only look fabulous in but also feel amazing wearing all evening.
What jewelry, hair, and makeup tips complete a first date look?
The finishing touches play a pivotal role in perfecting your first date ensemble. Follow these guidelines on the best date night extras:
| Keep jewelry minimal and delicate |
| Style hair so it looks polished but natural |
| Opt for date night makeup that flatters and accentuates your best features |
The overall goals are to let your inner glow shine through while highlighting your physical assets. Simple silver or gold jewelry, touchable yet bouncy hair, and flirty makeup fit the bill. But most importantly, ensure your beauty look aligns with your personal preferences.
What to wear on a movie date?
Movie theater dates offer a cozy atmosphere perfect for getting to know someone without pretension. Comfort is key for sitting in theater seats for hours. Recommended movie date outfit ideas include:
For Women
- Leggings with oversized sweater and booties
- Jeans with a hooded sweatshirt and white sneakers
- Printed skirt with graphic tee and comfy flats
For Men
- Dark jeans with casual button-down and jacket
- Joggers with pullover hoodie and clean trainers
- Chinos with solid tee and casual lace-up shoes
Aim for soft fabrics that allow you to relax into your chair worry-free. Bring a jacket to combat the theater’s icy temperatures as well. With the atmosphere ultra casual, limit accessories to a watch and subtle jewelry at most.
Are there outfits you shouldn’t wear?
Yes, steer clear of outfits on a first date that:
| Are overly revealing or tight |
| Are extremely informal (like pajamas) |
| Are uncomfortable or restrict movement |
| Require constant adjustment to avoid wardrobe malfunctions |
| Project inaccurate perceptions of your personality |
Dates center around making meaningful connections. What you wear makes a first impression, but shouldn’t act as the focal point or distraction. Pick ensembles aligning with the date plans that also let your inner light shine.
What do you wear if you don’t know where you’re going?
When your date plans are a mystery, ambiguously dressy casual outfits allow you to adapt. Some stylish options include:
| Versatile wrap dress with booties |
| Swingy midi skirt with tucked blouse and mules |
| Slim trousers with graphic tee, blazer, and flats |
These dresses, separates, footwear, and layers translate seamlessly from casual daytime activities to dressier nightlife scenarios. Lean on neutral colors, minimalist shapes, and quality fabrics to craft an outfit adjusting to endless date possibilities.
Just remember to focus less on your ensemble and more on your date when together. After all, making a genuine connection instead of an unforgettable fashion statement is the ultimate first date goal!
Conclusion
Deciding what to wear on an all-important first date is no easy feat. By paying attention to considerations like planned activities, comfort level, weather, body type, and fail safes for unpredictable plans, crafting a winning first date look becomes much simpler.
Remember to choose versatile ensembles communicating your style preferences and confidence. But don’t become so caught up on your threads that you lose focus on making meaningful romantic connections.
Approach getting ready from a mindset seeking quality conversations and compatibility over perfection. Yes, you want feel attractive. But even more importantly, your first date style should empower you to relax, have fun, and be utterly yourself as you embark on an exciting new potential relationship.
FAQs About First Date Outfits
Can you be overdressed for a first date?
It’s possible to be overdressed for simple casual dates like meeting at a coffee shop or low-key bar. But for many dates, especially at upscale restaurants or formal locations, erring on the dressier end works well since you can always remove layers or accessories.
What is an outfit that never fails for a first date?
A little black dress almost never fails for a first date. The black color slims and flatters all complexions, while the dress silhouette offers both comfort and style. Finish with hair styled simply away from your face, sparkly jewelry, and cute heels.
Should you show cleavage on a first date?
Showing some cleavage signals allure and sophistication when balanced carefully with other coverage. But take care not to expose too much skin or cleavage where you risk compromising tastefulness or worrying about malfunctions all night. Pay attention to venue, body type, and date activity when deciding how low to go.
What is better for a first date – dress or skirt?
For versatility across first date venues and activities, a dress makes an excellent choice. Options like a little black dress or colorful wrap dress transition seamlessly from casual lunches to formal dinners. Pair with varied footwear and accessories to adapt dresses seamlessly to whatever your date has in store.
Can you wear leggings on a first date?
You can wear leggings on a first date depending on the scenario. Outfits featuring leggings, oversized sweaters, and boots suit casual first dates like going to see a movie or grabbing coffee. But avoid leggings for formal restaurants or if you want to convey romantic intentions.