So, you are going on a first date? You are probably feeling incredibly excited and a bit nervous too. This is natural, and one of the major areas of consideration for any man before a date is deciding what she should wear. To give you a helping hand, read on to discover the dos and don’ts of dressing for a first date.

DO be yourself – It is important to stay true to who you are and wear something that you would usually wear. Don’t feel like you need to dull down your personality because your dress sense is unique. There is nothing wrong with standing out from the crowd. You want someone to like you for you, and they are only going to be perplexed if you turn up to your second date looking like someone completely different. 

DON’T show off too much skin – This is a mistake that a lot of people make when they go on a first date, as they want to impress. However, you want your date to like you for you, not because of what you have on show. And yes, this does apply to men too! You don’t want to show off all of your goods on the first date. If you wear a shirt that is completely unbuttoned, you’re either giving away too much or you are going to make your date feel uncomfortable, or both. So, when you are looking for shirts, make sure you choose one that has fully functioning buttons, so you don’t have everything on display.

DO consider the type of date you are going on – Going on a coffee date is very different to going on a fancy dinner date. Going on a picnic date is very different from going on a go-karting date. You get the point! You always need to consider the occasion when you are going on a date. The last thing you want to do is end up turning up overdressed or underdressed. If you go on an active date, you need to make sure that you are comfortable and the clothing you wear is appropriate. There is nothing like an uncomfortable outfit to make it difficult for you to settle on your date, as it can make you feel self-conscious, as well as making it challenging for you to enjoy the occasion to full effect. 

DON’T take your friends’ word as gospel – A lot of people have gone wrong on dates by listening to “advice” from their friends. As much as your friends may have the best intentions in the world, they may not be dating gurus, and so listening to their advice could come back to bite you in the long run. So, while your friends may have your best interests at heart, don’t simply assume that they know everything that there is to know about dressing shart for a first date.

DO make an effort – Yes, you may want to keep it cool. But, turning up in a T-shirt and a pair of tracksuit bottoms makes it look like you do not care at all. Making an effort is important. It will make your date feel special and it sets the tone for the rest of the evening. The last thing you want is for your date to feel uncomfortable because they have turned up in a smart dress and you have made no effort whatsoever.

DON’T wear something you feel uncomfortable in – When dressing for a date, it is vital to be comfortable. If you aren’t, it will show. So, don’t go for those tight trousers that you can’t walk in! If you walk through the restaurant door waddling like a penguin, your date isn’t going to think about how amazing your trousers are, they are going to think about how daft your walk is. 

DO treat yourself to a new outfit – A date is a great excuse for you to treat yourself to a new outfit. If you want to treat yourself to some luxury menswear so that you feel confident and happy in yourself, do so! It is not only about the way that this sort of clothing looks but it is also about the way that it feels as well. After all, there is something special about wearing brand new clothes, isn’t there? It makes you feel a lot better about yourself, and this is something that we all deserve. 

DON’T overthink it – One of the biggest mistakes you can make is overthinking it and questioning every decision you make. At the end of the day, your date is not there to judge what you are wearing. It is the person inside of the clothes that matter. So, once you make your decision on what to wear, stick with it and feel comfortable in yourself. If someone judges you purely on your clothes, is this the sort of person that you really want to be with anyway?

DO make the most of your best assets – You probably know what your best asset is, so make the most of it. If you have got good arms, go for a tight shirt, so long as you feel comfortable, of course. After all, you want the person to see the best of you. Let’s say your best asset is your eyes. If this is the case, consider what sort of colors are going to emphasize your eyes and make the other person drawn to them. There are little tricks like this that can really make a big difference. All you need to do is a quick search online to find information like this that can be helpful. If you have the budget spare and you really feel like you could benefit from the help, you may want to think about hiring a personal shopper or a personal assistant. He or she will be able to educate you on what sort of clothing and looks are going to be best. They will talk you through what colors will look good on you based on your eye color and skin tone. This can be incredibly educational, and it will ensure that you do not only look good for your date but that you have the perfect recipe for dressing sharp in the future. 

DON’T leave everything until the last minute – Make sure you pick out your outfit in advance and try everything on for a bit of a trial run. The last thing you want to do is get ready and find that the zip is broken on your trousers. A last-minute panic is never a good look. You should always look to wash your clothing a day or two in advance at the latest. You should then hang it up to make sure there are no creases in it. Don’t leave it until the day or the night before. If you do this, and your iron breaks or your washing machine won’t turn on, you may find yourself needing to cancel your date because you have nothing to wear, and we are sure this won’t go down well with the person that you are meeting. 

Hopefully, you now feel more prepared for your first date. When dressing for a date, it is important to stay true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality and your individual sense of style. At the same time, make sure you follow the rules above so that you don’t cross any of the date dressing lines.