The First Date Outfit

Ways To Wear

6 July

When your heart is playing matchmaker, your wardrobe should too. What to wear on a first date is one of the most common questions asked on this blog, and I thought it was the right time I sit down and share my thoughts on it.

As someone who has recently gotten back into the dating game, I know how hard it can be. Put the nerves, the hair, the makeup, and the outfit together, and you're already flustered enough without adding the person you’re dating into the equation, but if my styling skills can help, I'd like to put in my two cents.

What you wear all depends on where you're going. In this post, I’ve listed a few common first date types and outfits suitable to them, but I’ve also sprinkled a few extra tips throughout.

How Sexy Should The First Date Outfit Be?

Obviously, we want to look amazing. We want this person to NOT STOP thinking about the gorgeous creature they went on a date with, what can help is by picking an outfit with just enough sexy to it, without going overboard. My simple rule when aiming for the perfect amount of sexiness and style is to pick an area of your body to show off and cover more of the other areas, ie: show off your lovely long legs but choose a less plunging neckline.

Consider the venue:

Casual café or park: Opt for well-fitted jeans or chinos paired with a crisp shirt or a pretty blouse. Layer with a lightweight jacket or cardigan for added style and practicality.
Dinner or cocktail bar: Dress smart-casual with tailored trousers and a camisole, if you like your pant outfits, or a waist defining dress. Add a blazer or trench if the weather is looking a bit grey. For guys, your smartest chinos/jeans and a button down, or, the other way around, a sharp pair of trousers and a knit or a polo shirt (not the kind you wear to the gym.)
Active or outdoor date: Choose breathable fabrics and comfortable footwear, such as clean sneakers or leather boots. Avoid things that will show dirt or get grass stains easily, if you’re likely to sit on the grass.
At their house: If this is a first date with someone you’ve never met, wear shoes you can run in (I’m not joking) and change the location to a public setting. Safety first!

Colour and fit:

Wearing colours that bring out your features will keep your dates eyes on you, and will make your skin look vibrant and not at all like you’ve been stressing about this date!
Clothes should fit well—not too tight or loose—to keep you looking great and feeling comfortable.

Footwear:

Ensure your shoes are clean and appropriate for the setting.
Avoid worn-out sneakers, or heavily damaged shoes. This is a first impression, so put your best foot forward (I won’t apologise for this pun, I’m quite proud of it.)
If toes are on display, make sure they’re pedicured (or neat and clean).

Grooming and accessories:

Avoid overpowering fragrances; go for a light, fresh scent instead.
Top up on deodorant, especially if you’re a nervous sweater! Maybe even pack some in your bag.
Don’t forget the mints, if it’s a coffee date.
Set your makeup, this will help you avoid smudges and shiny faces. If you love a bold lipstick and you’re eating burgers, wipe your bottom lip before you start eating so it doesn’t transfer to your chin.

The First Date Outfit - Golden Rules

Dress for yourself: Make YOURSELF feel great first because when you feel great, you look confident, your skin glows, and you're the best version of you. This doesn't mean that you need to buy a whole new outfit, instead take a little more time getting ready. Don't rush around trying to make things perfect; things will be perfect on their own if it's meant to be. Remember that you're looking for a man you can be yourself around- not a man that you can play pretend with.

Be comfortable: This doesn't mean your least-stained sloppy joe, thongs and a top knot. Think about your outfit options, while a tight fitting dress may have sexy dripping all over it; if you're shifting in your seat or pulling it down all night—it's not the best choice. Save that for the dinner date where you plan on having him take it off you.

Let's talk about shoes: Those red platforms might be hot for a night out with your girlfriends, but nothing is more of an eyesore than a woman who can't walk in her heels or someone with sore feet that you just want to offer a pair of slippers to! My rule when buying heels has always been, don't buy them if you can't run in them.

Be yourself: If you're a jeans and sneakers girl, own it! He accepted this date for a reason and dressing up in that mini skirt and sequin top is false advertising. He came for you, not the girl under all those sparkles!

Don't Buy A New Outfit: Think about wearing something you already own to the date. Buying something new can backfire if the date doesn't go so well, you'll feel like you've wasted your hard-earned money. If you have to buy some new dresses or clothing, actually consider the outfits wear purposes before investing.

What To Wear On A First Date - The Casual Coffee Date

A daytime date I've done plenty of times is the coffee date, bonus points if there's cake involved. A coffee date is meant to be casual, so in winter, a pair of jeans and a knit or long sleeve top could work with boots or sneakers, or in summer, a sundress or maxi dress with sandals or shoes with a small heel. If your date might lead to a little stroll afterwards, you’ll be happy you wore comfortable shoes.

You want to go for an effortless vibe, so if you get stuck before the date, the day doesn't go as planned and you're in a hurry to get out that door—neutral colours like navy, beige, black and white always work. A simple outfit can be made by wearing two neutral colours and a pop of colour.

Wear Appropriate Makeup: While a date calls for a little extra effort, remember it's daytime and this is a casual coffee date. Night time makeup is typically a little darker, and daytime makeup is a bit more natural. Make sure you haven't got any foundation lines and kept it simple. (P.S. If you love a red lipstick and you might go in for a kiss, bring touch ups in your bag.)

What To Wear To A Dinner Date

When it's a dinner date, always research the restaurant. If you haven't been there before a handy little trick you can do is jump on the restaurant's Facebook page or Instagram and have a look for tagged photos or check-ins. You'll likely find pictures of people there, and you can get a rough idea of what's acceptable attire. The last thing you want is to wear something completely over the top to a very casual venue.

The Fail Safe Option: There are three ways you can make your outfit fail safe for a dinner date:

1. Wear Separates: It always helps to make you blend in. You could wear a silk shirt with a pair of soft pants and heels and be ready for a nicer restaurant or a small cafe.

2. Nude Shoes: These don't stand out but give you a nice touch of height. A nude shoe makes your legs look miles long, and they go with everything except dark stockings - don't do it.

3. Thin Knits: Hallelujah for these inventions, a soft knit paired with anything but denim can help to ensure you don't push the boundaries of a dress code or a surprise date destination. There's a perfect combination pictured, or you could try a leather pencil skirt, a tailored pair of trousers. Add some accessories and comfortable heels to step up your look and hot damn, you are ready to date!

FEATURE IMAGE MODEL: AYLAH PETERSON | HAIR & MUA: LIV SLEE | STYLIST: ALARNA HOPE | PHOTOGRAPHER: JAN-ERICK LUZURIAGA