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Dating Magazine > Self
Improvement > What to Wear on the First
Date
First Impressions Can Make or
Break That First Date
Here's What to Wear
by Angela Ambrosini
Imagine
a romantic date in Paris. Would you ever visualize
the man in a tux and the woman in her sweats? First
impressions, be they of a person or place, stay in
our memory much longer than anything else.
This
is why couples recall the most intricate details
of their first dates or wedding days — because
of the way they looked.
Although we are told numerous times to
never judge a book by its cover, we all do it. The
mismatched outfits and really bad haircuts grab our
attention, slapping those who wear them with a label
they can never shake.
"There is a saying that you never get
a second chance to make a good first impression,” says
Joe Tracy, publisher of Online
Dating Magazine.
"When meeting someone for the first time on a date,
it is absolutely vital that you look your best. Part
of that is your hygiene and grooming and the other
part is the way you are dressed. Even if you aren’t
the most attractive person in the world, you can make
yourself look 10 times more attractive and appealing
simply
by the way you dress.”
In
today’s fashion-conscious world,
taking into consideration your body type and combining
it with up-to-date trends for your dating attire may
become overwhelming.
Even
though the perfect date may be hard to find, following
runway trends such as itchy angora, bright metallic
belts or tight pants is definitely no way to impress
anyone.
"Remember, a little goes a long
way. You want your date to go home and remember your
beautiful eyes or luscious lips, not your creepy fake
fingernails or gaudy gold bracelets,” explains
Kim Lance, associate publisher of the magazine.
Dating
is not only about chivalry and good hygiene; it’s
also about wearing a complimentary outfit that will
leave your date speechless. The way we choose to dress
is based on the type of people we attract. For example,
creative people lean towards the more graphically interesting
fabrics and colors while the professional and serious
types tend to go for the darker and clean-lines.
"Today
the style of dressing for a date is definitely more
laid back, but don’t misinterpret that for casual.
I always feel that being subtly sexy is a nice way
to show your date that you take pride in how you look,” says
Amanda Doll, a personal shopper and stylist for Girlshop
Inc.
That means dresses with flats for women
and blazers with jeans for the men, she says. Avoid
sneakers and go with a nice pair of shoes instead.
Keeping your outfit clean and simple
will enhance your features and boost your confidence,
getting people to notice you. Feeling confident and
secure in what you wear
reflects in your personality and makes all the difference.
When you are meeting someone for the first time or
getting to know them, you want to make sure you are
giving off all the right vibes.
"The reason you want
to dress to impress your date — aside from appeal —
is that you want to show that you care. You took some
time to choose an outfit, the date is something special,” explains
Lucia M. Tait, a product information specialist for
VIVRE.
“Don’t overdo it, dress for the
occasion and plan ahead,” Tait says.
Tips for Dressing to Impress The
First Date |
So, what do you do if you are still overwhelmed
and want to look your best on your next date?
Here are some simple tips.
Dating
Fashion Do’s
• Do have clean hands and nicely manicured nails.
• Do have well-groomed facial hair and a clean haircut.
• Do wear well-fitting clothes, nothing too baggy or too tight.
• Do dress appropriately for the occasion — no tank tops and sandals
if
the date is a dinner party.
Dating
Fashion Don’ts
•
Don’t wear brand new shoes. They have the
potential to hurt your feet, making for a miserable
time.
•
Don’t wear heavy make-up. Your date may
wonder what you are trying to hide.
•
Don’t wear an outfit you are not comfortable
in. If you are going to be constantly adjusting
your tie or button-up collar, don’t wear
them.
•
Don’t try to be too trendy. Leave experimentation
with your look for a time when you are in a stable
relationship.
Now
peek into your closet and see what you’ve
got. Are your clothes talking about you behind
your back and leaving you dateless?
Always remember
to dress according to your body type and no
matter what designer label you choose, make sure
your clothes are labeling you in all the right
ways.
Tips courtesy of Kim Lance
Online Dating Magazine |
This article originally
appeared in the December 5, 2005 issue of New York
Resident Magazine. It is republished here with the
permission of the author.
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