What to Wear on a Casual First Date?
At the end of the day, regardless of whether your first impression is online or in person, the most important thing is to portray the right version of yourself. Ask yourself: who do I want to be, and also who am I most comfortable being? That said, the best outfit to wear on a date is one that makes you feel like you’re the very best version of yourself.
Psychology has proven that clothing can alter one’s state of mind and even impact their performance. Consider if red helps you feel more confident while you’re flirting. Does it increase your sex appeal?
By the same token, are you comfortable? If you’re cold, clutching your purse to your chest, or covering your stomach because your dress is too tight, this could wrongly make your date think you’re not having a good time.
The bottom line? When you feel good, you’re focused on your date and the conversation - not on your appearance. If you’re comfortable in a red leather jacket and leggings, that’s exactly what you should wear!
Dress According to the Environment of the Date
One of the most important things to consider when you’re wondering what to wear on a first date, is the environment and also the occasion. It’s important to keep in mind what you’ll be doing and where you’ll be going. Are you going to a high-end restaurant, to the beach, meeting at a bar? If you’re meeting up in a low-key establishment, and need to know what to wear for a casual date, the last thing you want to do is show up overdressed with your pencil skirt and high heels. If that’s naturally who you are and how you dress, fine! Otherwise, opt for something that presents the right version of you and reflects your comfort in the environment and the situation.
Find The Source of Your Style Confidence - You!
The secret ingredient that makes any look work - is you! Your confidence is the most magnetic and attractive element about you, and it is exactly that, that should be reflected in your first date outfit.
Important moments like first dates have a magical way of drawing out some of our innermost insecurities. It’s so important to pay attention to our inner dialogue. Do you speak to yourself with love and compassion or do you tend to bully and criticize yourself? While it’s normal that not all of us will feel 110% about our appearance all of the time, the number one thing you can control about yourself is your thoughts!
Being ultra beautiful has absolutely nothing at all to do with sex appeal or attraction. When you are your most authentic self is when others will be most drawn to you. So, embrace yourself and be you!
Are You Wearing Too Much Makeup?
While makeup is an amazing tool to draw attraction to eyes or lips, cover imperfections in the skin, or boost your confidence, a full face of heavy make up may negatively impact how you’re perceived. Remember to work with balance, and contrast, avoid hiding under your makeup, and most importantly: wear as much make-up as you’re comfortable with.
Be Self Aware & Consider Your Body Language
Not all physical traits can be altered through appearance. Clearly, if you’re heading out for a date, there are some things that you cannot control: your facial structure, eye color, weight, etc. While certain traits do impact how we are perceived (for example, research shows that people with more feminine, child-like, happy faces will be perceived as more trustworthy), you can still control your appearance and body language.
For example, people who move with loose gaits are seen as more extroverted and adventurous, while people with tighter and more clipped movements are seen as more neurotic. There’s nothing sexy about someone who is not self-aware, slumps their body, or avoids eye contact. Implementing small changes in body language can have a huge impact.
According to psychologists, smiling, making eye contact, facing your body towards your date, uncrossing your arms, nodding and mimicking their body language will make your date much more receptive to you. More importantly, it will help your date stay engaged, develop a higher interest in you, boost their trust in you, and see you as a more positive influence.
Make Sure You Have a Polished Look
If you want to appear chic, are you going to wear denim with holes and a stinky sweatshirt? Unlikely. One of the most important things to consider on a date is: do you look like you invest in yourself? Do you look like you care? There’s nothing worse than going on a date with someone who doesn’t take care of themselves. Think about it. If they can’t take care of themselves, what makes you think they’ll care for you and the relationship? The goal is to simply show that you care.
Watch the Weather Make Sure You Have a Polished Look
One surprising element that can sneak up on a first date is weather, unexpected temperature changes, and not being prepared for the time of day (for example, a date that goes well may last all day or shift from afternoon to evening). Look for pieces that allow for some flexibility in moving from evening to night, such as layers and versatile pieces that can accommodate both outdoor and indoor experiences.
Convey The Right Personality & Character Traits
Everything from tailoring, length, brand name, and color work together to create an image that makes a lasting first impression anc correctly conveys how you want to be seen. If you want to be seen as someone who is reliable, it’s probably not a good idea to create an overly sexy outfit for the first date. It’s important to know when you’re crossing the line.
The #1 Rule to Finding The Perfect Outfit
Everyone has a different body shape, character, culture, and style. That’s why creating a signature style is key. A signature style is a memorable image that you have created of yourself. It leaves a lasting impression on others and impacts how they judge your appearance. A signature look basically says, “I know what I like. I know who I am. I know what suits me.”
How To Create a Signature Look
A signature look considers three main things, your personal expression, style and lifestyle.
How do you express yourself? Are you modest, flirty, serious, sexy, introverted, extroverted, successful, athletic, casual? What is your personal style? Do you like to go for comfort, or the latest fashion trends? Are you experimental or do you like to play it safe? More importantly, what kind of lifestyle do you lead? Are you in the office on most days, in online meetings, or at events? Do you veer towards a heavy social life and frequently go out to dinner? Do you work a fun job, and like to go to festivals and concerts every weekend? Are you a stay-at-home mom? These are all important things one must consider when developing a signature look.
Here are some tips and suggestions to help you get started on creating the perfect signature look:
Step 1. Refine Your Style Concept
One of the best places to start with creating the perfect signature look is to make a mood board. A mood board will help you determine your style. Look for images and symbols that represent the aesthetic feel of your style concept. Gather images that contain elements of your existing style and also add things that you truly love. Include colors, patterns, and cuts that resonate with you and make you feel happy.
Step 2. Find The Functional Criteria of Your Look
Style alone will not suffice if it is not functional. The magic happens when your style fits your body and your lifestyle. Ultimately, your signature style will play a huge role not just on your first date, but also in your everyday life. Start by asking yourself some of these questions:
What practical elements should my style have?
What climate should my style be tailored for?
What do I love about myself?
Do I like variety or do I stick with standard items?
Step 3. Combine Both Function and Design
Your mood and style concept can now be translated into the details. Consider makeup, accessories, colors, and proportions. Go through the clothing or outfits you already own and ask yourself if the item conveys your style concept.
Pay attention to the details. Hair, make-up, and accessories should all factor into the colors, function, and style of your look as well. Sometimes, simple adjustments like rolled up sleeves, patterns, hems, textures and other embellishments can not only add some final touches to your outfit, but also completely transform an outfit.
Hair
Also, remember to consider your hair. A first date is not the time to try out a brand new hair style, hair cut or hair color. To be safe, go with your every day hair and consider some light styling like a half up ponytail, bun or tousled waves. It’s best to avoid fussing with your hair throughout the date and to stay casual and relaxed.
Perfume
Lastly, consider your signature scent. On a first date it’s best to avoid drenching yourself with over-the-top perfume. Stick with a light and airy signature scent and keep perfume memorable, but not so memorable that it’s the only thing your date remembers.
Jewelry
With accessories, it’s important to remember that the star of the show should be you and your personality. Jewelry shouldn’t be so busy that it detracts from your energy and conversation.
Step 4. Implement Your Look & Knock Your Date’s Socks Off
Now the fun begins! While your final product may require a bit of fine tuning, it should illustrate a function that is tailored to the climate where you live and your activity. Are there certain proportions that stand out in terms of your personal style? Remember to look for balanced proportions in outfits, such as pairing a fitted piece of clothing with something relaxed.
Once you’ve got some items that reflect your personal style, you’ll need to extract the main coloring from your mood board. If you don’t know how to find colors that suit your skin tone, hair, and eye color,
CLICK HERE & SCHEDULE A COLOR ANALYSIS >>
Color plays an integral role in the overall effect of your image. The right colors can illuminate desirable traits, and mute undesirable ones. They can also give an overall effect of harmony, allowing you to look healthy, vibrant, and balanced. In reverse, a color scheme that is incompatible with your coloring can highlight imperfections and create the appearance of dullness. Every person is different, so one cannot assume, for example, that red will make you look sexy, if it’s not compatible with your own personal color scheme.
READY TO CREATE YOUR SIGNATURE LOOK?
Final Tips To Help You Nail The Perfect Outfit On Your First Date
Now that you’re primed and ready with your outfit, let’s do one final check to make sure you don’t fall prey to one of these tried and tested outfit first date faux pas’!