Men : Dressing For A First Date

By Brad Taylor


On a first date, men should try to impress women with their wardrobe choices, as well as their overall grooming. The best way to impress a woman is to dress casually, but smartly. Typically, a pair of clean, pressed khakis (such as Dockers) or slim-cut, dark-rinse jeans, worn with a navy blazer and a nice shirt, will be the perfect outfit for almost any occasion. Avoid wearing t-shirts under a suit jacket, and also skip the tie, unless you know that a restaurant or event requires a more formal dress code.

To dress appropriately, you need to be casual, with just a touch of formality. Women shouldn't feel intimidated by you, so very formal clothes are a bad idea, unless you're attending the opera or another evening event with a strict dress code (call a venue or restaurant to check on their respective dress codes before your date). Stick with the basic "first-date" outfit - if a sporty blazer isn't one of your wardrobe essentials (it should be!), skip the jacket and choose a nice sweater to wear over your cotton shirt - finish the look with polished shoes in dark-brown or black. Good-quality sweaters will never be made of polyester, nylon or other synthetics - always go for natural fibres, such as cotton yarns or fine wools. Every man should have a great sweater in his wardrobe - Ralph Lauren makes nice versions, and so does Calvin Klein.

To look your best on your date, you must pay careful attention to your grooming; this begins with excellent cleanliness. In the shower, wash your hair and face with great-smelling products that are designed just for men - Nivea and Dove make all-purpose body washes that don't smell too strong. Once you're out of the shower, moisturize with a gentle, effective product, and then let the lotion sink in. If you feel too shiny, simply blot your face with a tissue before you go out. Wearing deodorant, brushing your teeth and gargling with mouthwash are also important facets of male grooming. Give yourself a close shave (if you don't have a beard) and add more moisturizer if your skin feels dry after shaving. Style your hair, get dressed, and feel confident that you look your very best. Avoid heavy colognes - most women really don't like them.

The accessories you add to your three-piece outfit can make you look more polished, pulled-together, and stylish. However, you shouldn't be too daring as you plan your accessorizing - in general, it's safe to wear a sleek metal or leather-strap wristwatch - avoid nylon sport watches or really cheap timepieces. Since watches are often marketed as status symbols, women may be all too aware of how much your wristwatch costs. If you can afford it, go for an investment piece that gives your look more richness and dimension. Avoid any loud touches, such as bright scarves or funky colored socks - these sorts of style decisions may turn off your date. Later on, once you know each other better, you can pull out your wildest accessories and express your true self. At the start, a simple, elegant watch and the right shoes and socks will really be all you need. Avoid any jewelry on a date - it's just not a popular choice with most ladies.

Present yourself as a successful and attractive "alpha male" by wearing a first date outfit that is subtle, elegant, and masculine. Our date night wardrobe tips are one of the keys to feeling happy and confident on your first date. Once you've dealt with dressing, grooming and accessorizing, you can simply relax and be yourself - dressing the right way will really allow you personality to shine through. To become her "ideal" date, take along some flowers and smile a lot. Listen to her, and don't spend the whole night talking about yourself. When you focus on her, you'll open the door to a real and lasting connection.




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