What To Wear On A First Date

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First dates are enough to make your palms sweat, so the last thing you need to stress about is your outfit. 
When you’re planning what to wear on a first date, there are a couple of things you should bear in mind to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. 

Here are a few tips that should help get you started when planning for your big night
Be comfortable

Make sure that whatever you choose to wear on a date, it will be comfortable! If you’re constantly readjusting your outfit you won’t look comfortable, and your date will definitely pick up on it. 
This goes double for shoes – if you don’t usually wear heels, plan your outfit around a pair of flats instead.

Not too comfortable!

While your outfit should be comfortable, that doesn’t mean you should pick up something out of the hamper! If you want to wear it and you have enough time, wash it first. If you don’t have time to wash it, pick something else! 

Comfortable is one thing, but the last thing you want is to look sloppy. Don’t wear yoga pants or that holey t-shirt you borrowed from your brother. It might sound obvious, but it’s worth a mention!

Wear something you love

Preferably something you know you look good in, and something you’ve received compliments on. It should show off your best assets without being too revealing, as this can actually be a turn-off. When planning what to wear on a first date, pick your best feature and dress around it, but leave the rest to the imagination.

Wear an outfit that actually fits 

Don’t pick something that’s too tight or baggy. Wear something in a flattering cut in the right size – if you don’t like the number on the label you don’t have to tell anyone, but it will be obvious if your clothes are too big or small. Besides, your date isn’t put off by your size, so why should you be? Rock that body!

Your outfit should reflect who you are 

Your clothes say something about you, and give your date an idea of who you are as a person. When you’re thinking about what to wear on a date, make sure you choose something that lets your personality shine through. First dates are your chance to make a great impression on someone, so make sure what you wear is an extension of your personality.

Check out the venue ahead of time

Even if all you have time to do is search online while filtering with your suitor on one of the best dating sites in South Africa, it will still give you a good idea of the kind of outfit that will be suitable for it. 
If you’re familiar with the place then so much the better, but make sure you’re dressing to the right level. A cocktail dress will look just as weird in a coffee shop as jeans and converse in a swanky restaurant.

Give yourself time to plan your outfit

If you’ve done your homework on the venue, you will already know what kind of look to aim for. Make sure it’s clean and ready to wear – this will not only make sure you look pristine but also minimize your outfit stress! It will also mean that you can have time for some last-minute changes if you need them.

First date outfit ideas: The Dinner Date

Depending on the restaurant, you can go for skinny jeans and a silk cami, or something a little more glam like a dress and heels – but don’t go over the top. Wear makeup, but go for a natural look. Hair should be loose – an up-do might be too severe.

First date outfit ideas: The Coffee Date

You need a great casual date outfit if you’re just going for coffee, so try jeans and boots with a chunky cardi, or a t-shirt and sunglasses for fairer weather. Either way, you’re looking for that “This? Oh, I just threw this on” look.

First date outfit ideas: The Gig

A great idea for a casual date outfit at a gig is jeans and Converse or similar, and a band t-shirt – if possible, not one from the band you’re going to see! If your first date is at a gig then you probably have similar music tastes to your date, so it doesn’t hurt to give them an idea of the other bands or artists you like. A lightly controversial choice can be a great topic of conversation, too.

First date outfit ideas: The Straight-From-Work Date

If you’re in business-casual for most of the day, it’s fine to wear that to a date – but loosen up your look a little. Let your hair down, change your work shoes for a fancier pair, add a clutch. Refresh your makeup if it needs it, and you’re good to go!

What not to wear!

So you’ve heard all about what to wear on a date, but what are the fashion faux-pas to avoid? Well, anything over-the-top, really, and that goes for makeup as well as your clothes. There’s nothing wrong with a statement piece – especially if you have a flamboyant personality – but keep it to one area of your outfit. Keep your hair as loose and natural as you can, as a slicked-back ‘do can come across as unapproachable.

At the end of the day…

Be comfortable, and be yourself. The best date outfit in the world won’t do you any good if you’re not having a good time. If you want to know what to wear on a first date, your key piece should always be confident!