What Men Should Wear on First Dates

A good outfit can help you on first dates. | Photo by The Lazy Artist Gallery from Pexels

A lot of guys have a hard time when it comes to taking classic style tips that say what men should wear on a first date. Part of that reason is because the first date is so nerve-wracking that it may be hard to actually listen to an outside source.

But there are plenty of sources that have style tips for men. Lots of sources that have a lot of style tips to help men dress as well as they can and be the best version of themselves that they can be when they are on dates, especially first dates.

It is important to be the best version of yourself you can be at all times. But it is especially important when you are on a first date. You could be with the person who is your soulmate and you are going to want to be at your best so as not to let the opportunity to find love pass you by.

Now, the outfit for a first date is also going to be important. But the context of the date itself is going to be important as well, because the type of date that you’re on should determine the kind of outfit that you put on.

So make sure you understand and are fully aware of the circumstances in which you will be dating someone. Because those circumstances should determine the type of clothing that you choose to put together. Here are some simple tips for your date outfit:

1. Make Sure It’s All Clean

One thing that all men should do regardless of the type of date that they go on is to make sure that everything that they put on is clean. It does not matter how nice your collared shirt normally is if there is a noticeable stain on it.

Not only should your clothes be clean, they should also be well-pressed. A wrinkled shirt is going to make you look rather shabby, and looking dishevelled is not something that you want when you are on a date with a beautiful woman.

It’s also not a bad idea to use starch when you are doing your laundry, just for the sake of your shirts.

2. A Full Suit or Tux

There are dates for which a little bit of formality is called. There are times when you are going to have to dress up a little more than you normally would. There are times when a good suit or a tuxedo is what is called for.

But the thing about suits and tuxedos, especially the former, is that there are different types for different occasions. The type of suit you wear to a meeting at work is not the same type of suit you should put on when you go on a date.

You’ll want a suit or tuxedo that is a good fit so as not to stand out in a situation that is a little more upscale than what most dates are normally like.

3. Closet Staples

There are some things that are present in almost every closet. So if you are wondering what men should wear on a first date, look at what you already have in there. There are some clothing combinations that can work pretty well for a wide variety of occasions.

Jeans and T-shirts may seem a little simple and plain, but it is that very simplicity and plainness that makes them so versatile. They can work for a movie, for coffee, for a drink, and for dancing. They can even work for a few dinner date scenarios.

If it is a little cold out, you can pair the jeans and tee off with a hoodie, creating a look that is basically timeless.

A lot of simple fashion tips will advocate for timeless, versatile looks.

4. From the Bottom Up

Now there is the question of shoes. Some people will actually build their outfits from the shoe up, picking the clothes that complement the shoes rather than the opposite. But you’re going to have to take a bit more care when it comes to first dates.

You’re going to have to put on more than just the pair of shoes that you put on every day and you definitely need to wear more than the running shoes that you may or may not put on when you hit the gym.

If you do find yourself in a situation that is decidedly more romantic than going out for drinks with your buddies, you may want to put on a decent pair of dress shoes. Nothing fancy, but maybe something a little classier than a pair of sneakers.

5. The Pants

Now, unless the date that you are on takes place somewhere near a beach or at a beach itself, you’re going to want to put on long pants. Putting on a pair of shorts is not going to endear you to a lot of women, and the one who agreed to go on a date with you might be one them.

6. Accessorize Properly

One thing that many people neglect when they dress up are the accessories. These are not clothes themselves, but they are little things you put on, like bracelets or rings.

One timeless accessory is the wristwatch. As more and more people forego the wristwatch since their phones can tell them the time, wristwatches can seem almost archaic to some degree.

Or they can seem vintage. Other accessories that can work well are bracelets. But don’t go overboard on the accessories, since you don’t want to seem like you’re overcompensating for something. An accessory is like a side dish, don’t treat it like it’s the main course.

The outfit you wear on a first date is going to be important, not just because the authorities do not always take it kindly when people just strut around naked in public. No, they are important because the clothes you pick will be an outward indicator of how much you care about the date itself.

Showing up and looking like a schlub conveys a sense of apathy, like the woman that you’re on the date with was not worth the little bit of effort it would have cost to look presentable. If you’re wondering what men should wear on a first date, it’s clean clothes that make them look like they care about the person they are with.