What to Wear on a First Date: The Men’s Must-Know Guide to Impress

You pay more attention to what women are wearing, but you’re forgetting they also check you out. So, here’s your guide for what to wear on a first date.

To some men, fashion is important. Looking good comes second nature to them. Those are the guys that usually intimidate me, to be honest. I mean, half the time they come looking better than me. *I like weird clothes, what can I say?* But then there are those guys who don’t know what to wear on a first date.

Now, this isn’t their fault. They probably never had someone around them who was always looking sharp, or they just don’t know how to dress for their body type. Whatever the reason, they have no style. [Read: The big dos and don’ts of real attractiveness]

What to wear on a first date

Now, some women say they don’t care. However, we all know that that is complete bullshit. When we see a man, we’re scanning them from head to toe. Looking at their shoes, their hair, if they have stains on their clothing. These clues show you a lot about a person. So, if a guy comes to a first date looking like he’s wearing his pajamas, well, odds are that we’re assuming he’s unemployed and lazy.

Will there be a second date? Probably not, and we all know why. As a guy, you don’t need to wear the most expensive brands. You should show that you care about your appearance. Leave your stained shirt at home.

#1 Figure out what kind of date it is. Is this a casual date or are you taking her to a fancy upscale restaurant? You need to dress appropriately for the date. Of course, if you’re having a picnic outside, you don’t need to wear a blazer and slacks.

But with that being said, you don’t want to look like you threw on some shorts. So, look at the type of date you’re going on. Then, narrow down the style you want to achieve. [Read: 16 tips to impress her on the first date]

#2 No matter what, have nice shoes. This may sound ridiculous, but it’s true. The shoes are everything. Your shoes say everything about you, and they’re one of the most subtle signs of your personality. Will they look at your shoes? Absolutely, even if they’re not thinking about it.

You don’t need expensive shoes, but make sure your shoes are clean. If they look like they’ve been run over by a bus, perhaps invest in a new pair. [Read: Signs you’re ruining your first date unknowingly]

#3 Leave the “funny” shirt at home. You may think wearing a tuxedo t-shirt is hilarious, and it probably was when you were twelve. If you’re not twelve, then don’t wear one. It’s not funny. That being said any, “I’m a doctor, let me check you out” or “FBI: Female Body Inspector” t-shirts are also a horrible idea.

Come on, man, if you walk into any place to meet your first date, you better have an amazing personality to pull that off. Because you’re going to need it. 

#4 Simple is best. Keep it simple. Of course, it depends on where you’re going on your date and the season, however, needless to say, you want to keep everything simple. Jeans, slacks, a sweater, long sleeve shirt, or plain t-shirt. Keep the colors simple, and you’re good to go. Let’s not look like a peacock on your first date.

#5 Go easy on the cologne. Yes, you love this cologne but how do you know she will? Or better yet, does she have any allergies to perfume? That would be a great disaster first date. For sure, spritz yourself with some cologne and use some aftershave but don’t douse yourself in it. You’re not going swimming. [Read: Your guide to cologne chemistry and how to wear it right]

#6 But be hygienic. The last thing you want is the girl to start wondering about your personal hygiene. That isn’t a good sign. Your personal hygiene shouldn’t even be a thought in her mind when she sees you. So, make sure you’re showered, shaved *if you want*, and your hair styled. It takes fifteen minutes, literally, but will make a huge impact on her opinion of you.

#7 Don’t go Jersey Shore with accessories. Yeah, you can wear a watch but let’s not look like a Christmas tree. Keep the watches, gold chains, rings, and bracelets to a minimum. There’s nothing wrong with wearing these accessories, but you want to make sure you don’t look too bling-y. You know those guys don’t do very well in the dating pool. Rule of thumb: make sure your accessories match your clothing.

#8 Aim for dark denim. If you’re wondering what to wear on a first date, denims can be your saviour. Of course, you can wear light denim pants, but opt for dark denim. It gives off a more sophisticated and cleaner look. Plus, you’re able to match much more with t-shirts and jackets when you have a pair of dark denim jeans. When in doubt, go dark. [Read: How to get any girl to notice you without even talking to her]

#9 Shop wisely. You may be worried about how much it’s going to cost to get some new clothes, that is, if you need them. But you can shop smartly. No one is telling you to hit up Gucci to get a t-shirt.

You can find really nice and inexpensive clothes at second-hand shops, but you do need some time to go through everything. If you don’t have the patience, going to department stores or major chains can provide you with the basics at affordable prices.

#10 Make sure your clothes are interchangeable. I have this problem where I can’t actually match my clothes with anything because they’re not interchangeable. But you need to look for clothes which you can wear with a couple of different pants or shirts. Getting flamboyant colored clothing, for example, is hard to match. Basic colors will be of more use. [Read: How to dress like you look rich effortlessly]

#11 Have a budget. Look in your closet and really see what you need. That way, you’re not going to the store buying yourself an entirely new wardrobe when you only really need a couple new pairs of pants. It also saves you a lot of money. So, know what you need and create a budget for yourself to help keep you in check.

Now that you know what to wear on a first date, the next time you have a date, you’ll know exactly how to dress to win her heart.