What do I wear on a first date?

WikiButterflyWhisperer301
06/27/24 11:02am
Going on my first date in a long time and want to look good. What do guys like women to wear? Does anyone have a go-to outift or like rules for a first date? Thanks for the tips!

wikiHow Expert
Stefanie Safran
Dating Coach & Matchmaker
06/27/24 6:18pm
For women, your number one priority should be your comfort! Plan an outfit with shoes that are comfortable. Don't feel like you have to go for a big sexy look. You don't want to feel like you're coming out of your top or your feet are hurting like crazy when you've walked two blocks. Everybody's styles are a little different in terms of what clothes or makeup they like to wear, so you do you! Just make sure not to be overdone with crazy amounts of makeup or jewelry.
wikiHow Expert
Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
06/27/24 8:21pm
Confidence is the best thing to wear on a date, and confidence comes from looking and feeling confident in your own skin. Focus on accentuating your best assets, whether that’s defining your waist with a belt, wearing a form fitting dress to show off your hourglass frame, wearing high-waisted bootleg jeans to accentuate your long legs or a sweetheart neckline to flatter your bust. Whatever your best feature is, make that the key focus of your look and pare down the rest of your outfit.

To look and feel your best, the key is to be comfortable. Wear clothes that best compliment your body shape and your lifestyle. Opt for colours that complement your skin tone and hair and eye colour. Consider working with a stylist to get clarity on what colours, cuts, prints and fabrics best compliment you. It’s an investment that pays for itself time and time again, it means you can avoid mistakes and ill-fitting buys.
WikiBandicootTrader459
06/29/24 9:45pm
I'm going on a first date with this guy i really like and I want to make a good impression :/ how do I do this?
wikiHow Expert
Maria Avgitidis
Matchmaker & Dating Expert
06/29/24 10:20pm
If you're meeting someone off of the internet, the best way to make a good first impression is to actually have posted a photo that looks like you and that is recent, because it's not good luck when you don't look like your photo. You should put an accurate photo of yourself on your profile; the person that wants to be with you will want to be with you.

The second way to make a great impression is to actually look the part for the date. So, what I always say is if you're going to go on a date after work, try to do a stop in between the date and the work just to get out of your work mindset: stop at Starbucks for a coffee or a tea, or talk to a friend first. Get out of the work mentality and go into your date mentality. Those are totally different people, especially for most women.

Look the part, hopefully put an effort into the impression you want to give to this person. That means wearing either well-fitted jeans or a nice dress, nice shoes, heels or flats. Look like you're taken care of, make sure your hair looks good, and overall you're comfortable. A first date is not the place to wear something you just bought that you're not comfortable in yet. The first date is a time to wear something that you definitely feel comfortable in, that makes you feel good and makes you look good.
WikiCaribouJammer153
06/30/24 6:45pm
That last part about not wearing something you just bought is such good advice! One time I bought a cute new dress and heels that I was so excited to wear on a first date, but wearing the shoes for hours on a date was a mistake without breaking them in first! They were biting into the back of my ankle until I was bleeding...the date itself went well but I was uncomfortable the whole time.

What do other wikiHow readers have to say?

Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.

Reader Tips from How to Look Great on a Date
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
You already landed the date, which means they think you're attractive. So, you don't have to go too over the top when it comes to dressing up to showcase your body. Wear something comfortable and cute. You aren't going to have as good of a time if you're wearing something you can't relax in.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
If you're worried about how you're looking on the date, you can always get up and go to the bathroom to see how you look in the mirror.
Reader Tips from How to Prepare For a Date
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Take your time when getting ready. Throw on some tunes, light a candle, and really enjoy the process of showering, picking an outfit, etc. Not only will getting ready be more fun and less stressful if you take your time, but you'll be in a much more peaceful headspace for the actual date.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
If you had a good time on the date, tell them at the end of the night. This will hint that you'd be open to a second date. Even if the other person needs some time to work up the courage to ask, the "I had a good time" comment signals that they should ask when they're ready.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
It's hard to avoid on the first date, but don't be insecure! You already landed the date, so you know they're interested in you romantically. This means that you should relax a little bit. You don't need to impress them.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Don't ever leave your drink unattended. Even if someone seems like a really good person, you can't know they won't put something in your drink with 100% certainty.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
If the date is going well, don't be afraid to make the first move when it comes to going in for a kiss.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
My advice is to pick one kind of "standard" activity and then one really novel activity. Either do both, or ask them which one sounds like more fun and let your date decide. For example, you could do dinner and go rock hunting at the beach, or see a movie and then visit an underground kitchen in your area.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
I wouldn't advise doing anything where it'll be too loud or difficult for you to talk to your date. Disco night at the roller rink may sound fun, but it's not the best venue if you want to quietly get to know someone.