You’ve met a great woman and now you’re about to go on a date? Well, I’d like to congratulate you! So, you’ve done a lot of things right up to this point, big guy. But now you’re faced with a question more commonly asked by women:
What should I wear?
The question of the ideal outfit for a date concerns us men just as much as it concerns women.
You stand in front of your wardrobe as if it had been ordered and not picked up and suddenly realize that you should have updated your wardrobe 10 years ago.
But don’t worry! In this article, I’ll tell you how to dress properly for a date, what to look out for, and which items of clothing are completely unacceptable.
The first date – what should I wear?
Believe me when I tell you that just a few years ago, the question of finding the right look drove me to absolute despair. I had a date coming up, and my mind was filled with a simmering mixture of confusion and anxiety.
The little man in my head, the one in charge of the “Fashion and Styling” department, was running around in circles, screaming in panic, throwing clothes around. This didn’t help me at all to ease my pre-meeting nerves , which were already unpleasant enough.
What should I wear? A smart jacket, a sweater, or a T-shirt with a cool design?
I was tense. After all, I wanted to make a good first impression and not scare the woman away right away!
Various horror scenarios were already playing out in my mind, in which the woman would leave me on the date because of my outfit, because I was dressed like a complete idiot…
Every man can learn fashion
All those insecurities are over now! The little man in charge of my outfit and I are now good friends.
We are partners in crime and know exactly what we’re doing when we open the closet and pull out the right clothes for the meeting.
If you don’t consider yourself a fashion guru, the question of “the right” outfit for a date is of course difficult.
But there are a few basic tips that will suddenly make it easy for men to dress up skillfully.
As long as you follow a few simple styling rules, you too can impress your counterpart with the ideal look.
I’ll show you how to do it step by step in this article, completely free of charge 😉 So just read on!
Am I too ugly?
The question sounds drastic, but unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for men. I actually hear it quite often in my coaching sessions:
“I’m way too ugly for that woman! I’ll never have a chance of getting a date!”
Wrong! I can put that worry to rest for you! Nobody, you heard right: NO ONE is too ugly for dating .
But what you need to learn if you want to be successful with women and be perceived as a potential partner is to bring out the best in yourself. This includes wearing the perfect outfit—especially for your first meeting.
The perfect look for a date also includes styling with a hairstyle, beard and well-groomed skin.
A confident demeanor overall also makes you attractive. But in another article, I’ll explain in more detail what women like in men . Today we want to focus on your outfit for the date.
Do clothes really make the man?
Of course, we men are much more than the clothes we wear. However, women usually have a very fine sense of style and outfits. And you want to make a good impression, especially on a first meeting.
Do the colors match? Is the shirt ironed? Are the shoes reasonably clean? Old mayo stains on your Star Wars T-shirt probably won’t score you much points, sorry!
Don’t get me wrong – you shouldn’t dress up or pretend for your first meeting.
If you’re usually known for wearing casual clothes and casual outfits, you shouldn’t suddenly show up to a date in a pinstriped suit. But you shouldn’t wear worn-out sweatpants either.
Your look can ultimately make or break your date. But like I said, don’t panic, because I’ll explain how to dress appropriately!
10 tips for the perfect date outfit
As mentioned above, it’s important to remain true to yourself. If you try to embody something you’re not at your first meeting, the woman’s fine antennae will likely pick up on it and cause your facade to crumble.
Authenticity is therefore crucial. However, you should still adhere to certain rules regarding your outfits.
Here are the 10 ultimate tips and tricks on what you can wear to shine at your meeting:
1. Dress appropriately for the occasion
If you’ve arranged to go for a walk and get ice cream in the park, and you show up in a fancy suit, that would obviously be far too formal for the occasion. The woman will think you’re a little out of sorts.
On the other hand, if you’re out to a fancy dinner on your date or going to a bar in the evening and you show up in sweatpants, that’s at least as bad.
It would be best if you found the middle ground. That is, a “normal” but neat and tidy outfit for the first date.
Styling and clothes also have to suit the weather , but more on that in a moment.
Also consider in advance what you might need to be aware of when visiting different locations on your date. Of course, the conditions in a bar, restaurant, or movie theater will be different than in a park.
However, a movie theater or a place like a nightclub isn’t suitable for a date anyway, as you can’t talk there. But more on that in my article about first date ideas .
2. The overall picture
Do the colors match, for example, the shoes and the belt? Does the outfit look cohesive? Does the clothing fit properly in terms of size and fit, or does the shirt look more like a circus tent?
Does the person you’re talking to notice that you’ve only dressed up to impress? All of these things and much more are things that women actually notice.
The entire outfit for the date must be coordinated .
No, don’t run away, my dear! I’m here! I’ll tell you how you can easily do it too and withstand her scrutinizing gaze once you’re sitting across from each other.
But the clothes for your successful first date don’t just have to match – they also have to be well-groomed!
Creases, worn-out sneakers, stains on jeans… Things like these give a careless impression, as if you haven’t put any thought into your appearance.
Also, make sure your clothes are freshly laundered, feel free to pick up the iron again before the meeting, and tuck your shirt in properly, partner!
3. The shoes
Surprise: Women love shoes! Who would have thought, right? 😉 It’s all the more important that you don’t show up on your date in worn-out boots. Also, make sure your shoes are clean and in good condition.
And what kind of shoes should men wear?
They don’t have to be fancy leather shoes (unless the occasion calls for them). Proper sneakers are perfectly fine, too, if worn correctly. But as mentioned: They have to be clean!
4. The socks
The devil is in the details. And even if you’re thinking, ” Oh, as if she’d see my socks. It doesn’t matter! “… you could be mistaken.
Women have a real eagle eye for this. She’ll definitely spot a sock faux pas if you’re sitting across from each other at the table and she happens to bend down.
So you don’t wear your worn-out tennis socks with your outfit on a date!
Not even those socks with the hole in the heel or the Mickey Mouse motif. And please, for your own sake, make the effort to find two matching socks. If necessary, just buy a pair of new ones. Plain and discreet, preferably black.
5. The pants
Depending on the occasion, you can decide whether your date outfit calls for finer trousers, but jeans are usually perfectly fine.
Here, too, the same rule applies: it has to be well-groomed. So no holes, no stains, and for heaven’s sake, no worn heels.
Yes, that’s exactly what happens when your pants are so long that your heels drag on the floor. Conversely, flooding is also embarrassing. So make sure you get the right length! That means your pants should sit loosely on your shoes. Then you’re in the right place!
Of course, if it’s important to you, you can wear suit trousers on a date at a fancy Italian restaurant, but most of the time that just looks too formal.
Dark jeans are perfect and look great with a shirt and fine leather shoes.
6. The Belt
Even if the fabric belt with the metal buckle has been your most loyal companion for years, it’s NOT part of your date’s outfit. A chic leather belt is a better choice.
Leather belts for men, for example, are available in various shades of brown and even black. That’s all great. But make sure the color of your belt matches the color of your shoes as closely as possible.
Please DO NOT combine a black leather shoe with a brown belt.
Basically, a narrow belt is perfect for finer trousers with a suit, while wider belts are best worn with casual jeans.
7. The shirt
” Can I wear a T-shirt ?” you might be asking. Yes, technically. But only if it fits well, doesn’t have a funny print, and doesn’t look like you’ve had it in your closet since you were a teenager.
The better choice for men for a successful first date is definitely the shirt.
Classic, masculine, and neat. But there’s a lot you can do wrong here, so I’d like to talk a little more about the shirt:
- Of course, the right fit is very important here, too, especially around the shoulders/sleeves and waist. The shirt shouldn’t hang off you like a bag, nor should it be so tight that your stomach almost bursts through the buttons.
- It generally looks good to wear a nice leather belt on a date and tuck your shirt in. It’s especially good for concealing a shirt that’s too long.
- Stay away from short-sleeved shirts! And NO, not even in summer. They’re a true fashion sin and a real turn-off for women. Pair them with a tie, and you win the prize for the worst date outfit in the history of mankind. And that’s not the goal here!
- If you’re on your first date at Ballermann and you want to be mistaken for a pop star, then colorful shirts with crazy patterns are fine. Otherwise, I recommend simple, solid-colored shirts. White, light blue, gray, black, burgundy… A salesperson will be happy to tell you what suits your style. They know their stuff!
- The collar shape also depends on your style and the occasion. It’s best to seek advice from a trusted salesperson regarding this.
- The iron is your friend! Wrinkles, however, are not. Make sure your shirt is wrinkle-free.
8. The jacket
Of course, this depends somewhat on the weather and the climate. Generally speaking, a sporty (!) jacket made of a lightweight fabric is the ideal complement to a shirt for a date outfit.
Whether you need to put on a thick jacket over it depends on the temperature and whether you are traveling by car.
If you have to wear a thick jacket, please make sure it looks decent.
Muted colors are always better than bright tones or wild patterns.
Of course, the jacket should also look clean and well-groomed. You’re unlikely to impress the lady with your bright yellow, dirty down jacket.
You can find out more about the jacket in the “Winter Date Outfit” section below.
9. The clock
Not a must, but a nice finishing touch for men on a date. A stylish watch can make a truly masculine and attractive impression on women.
But please don’t wear the G-Shock from your youth (and especially not the Flick Flack from your childhood)! That would be a complete flop!
In general, digital watches are taboo unless you want to come across as a totally nerdy mathematician from the 80s.
To be on the safe side, choose a classic men’s watch with a leather or metal strap from your trusted jeweler! Please don’t buy a clunky plastic model or a flashy Rolex knockoff from a street vendor just to impress!
If you really want to do everything right for your first date, make sure that the watch strap, if it is made of leather, matches your shoes and belt.
10. The accessories
Whether you wear accessories or jewelry on a date is, of course, up to you.
For men, however, the following clearly applies: less is more!
Maybe a simple leather strap for your watch. But it doesn’t need to be much more than that. You don’t want to act like a scoundrel in front of the person you’re talking to!
Necklaces, rings, earrings, and piercings are truly a matter of taste and usually only appeal to a very specific type of woman. So, it’s best to avoid jewelry in your first date outfit.
If you wear glasses, make sure your glasses are clean, from the lenses to the nose pads (please not yellowed from grease!) to the temples.
Maybe it’s time for a pair of fashionable frames? If you’re unsure, visit your optician and get some advice!
And while you’re there, you can also find out more about contact lenses, because maybe you look a bit more attractive without glasses.
Date outfit for spring, summer, autumn and winter
Of course, depending on the season, there are a few other things to consider regarding your look. In summer, you can quickly work up a sweat, and not just because the woman is sitting across from you 😉
In autumn you are at the mercy of wind and rain and in winter the only thing that helps against certain death from cold is the layered look.
If you’re already unsure what to wear, the weather can sometimes make it even more difficult.
But I will also briefly address the special features of the seasons with a few styling rules, so that I don’t leave you “out in the cold” with your outfit for your date.
Spring
A date in spring is wonderful. Not just because of the infamous spring fever. No, you can actually wear exactly the wardrobe I’ve described this time of year.
And if it gets a little cooler in the evening, you can simply throw on a light, plain sweater that matches your outfit for your date.
You might want to pack an umbrella for safety. Otherwise, there’s not much else to consider here. So let’s move on to the time of year that literally makes many men “sweat.”
Summer
As beautiful as summer is, no one wants to have sweat stains under the armpits of even the most beautifully ironed shirt. But what’s the best way to prevent embarrassing faux pas in summer? You don’t want to dress too revealingly, either.
It is best to follow the following rules in summer:
- As already mentioned – that short-sleeved shirt or even that muscle shirt should definitely stay at home! Or better yet, throw it in the used clothing collection! Instead, wear a long-sleeved shirt and roll up the sleeves for a cool look.
- Make sure your shirt is of good quality. It’s ideal if it’s lightweight and breathable, yet still opaque. This way, you don’t have to wear an undershirt when it’s warm.
- A T-shirt is also okay for a date in the summer , but then it should fit well and be without a motif.
- Please don’t wear sandals! You can donate them, along with your colorful shirts, to a pop singer in Mallorca. Light, closed-toe summer shoes are better.
- What about headwear? Baseball caps and hats aren’t exactly a good idea if you’re not the type. Also, keep in mind: if you have to take off your hat, for example, to eat at a restaurant, your hair underneath will be completely ruined.
- Shorts are a tricky thing… They shouldn’t be much shorter than knee-length. That looks odd. And please, please get rid of your plaid shorts. You won’t impress any woman in those.
- You can wear fashionable sunglasses, of course. Just remember to take them off when greeting someone on a date (and ideally, even when you’re talking). Otherwise, it’ll come across as rude or even arrogant. And you shouldn’t make them look like you just came back from the Tour de France! Colorful mirrored lenses and models designed for sporting activities aren’t the perfect companion 😉
Autumn
Your wind- and water-resistant outdoor jacket may be the ideal choice for bike rides, but it’s not the right choice for a rainy date . Sorry. My tip: Go for a fashionable jacket and bring an umbrella.
The advantage is: If it rains, the lady can hook onto your arm and find shelter under your umbrella. This way, you’ll get much closer. It’s perfect 😉
In autumn, chic leather ankle boots are the best choice for a date night. They keep your feet dry and warm and look elegant.
But no matter what clothes you wear, no woman wants to walk around outside for too long in this awful weather .
So make sure you get somewhere warm and dry as quickly as possible, such as a cozy café!
winter
The rules listed above also apply to your outfit for a winter date . However, a shirt and jacket probably won’t be enough in the cold, that’s for sure. You won’t have gained anything if you end up sick with a fever for two weeks after your date.
So be sure to put on a warm jacket or coat over it.
Simple, monochrome, and not out of the ordinary. A nice long coat (no more than knee-length) in black, dark blue, gray, or dark khaki looks great and pairs well with a scarf.
When it comes to accessories like a scarf on a first date, make sure it’s a man’s scarf and not a child’s. And don’t wear your football team’s scarf either, unless you’re going to the stadium!
Add some stylish leather gloves and you’re well-equipped. I’ve already talked about headwear… If it’s really cold and you absolutely have to wear a hat, the same applies here as with the scarf:
Simple, neat, monochrome and without any childish print!
But remember – your hairstyle will probably be ruined if you take off the hat.
When choosing your winter date outfit, make sure you use the “onion technique.” “The onion look” means wearing several layers on top of each other, which you can then quickly remove. This is useful when moving from outdoors to indoors (for example, to a bar or the cinema).
This way you avoid getting sweaty – at least when it comes to clothing 😉
