First Date Fashion
Making A Fashionable First Impression

by Duane Wells

First dates can be such nerve-wracking affairs.

They're always shrouded by that foreboding notion that we must make just the right impression ... that we must sound just the right chord if we are ever to get off the seemingly endless first date merry go round that is part and parcel of single life in the new millennium. And let's face it, getting the first date is the easy part. Getting the first date to lead to a second date is what often proves a tad bit more troublesome for most of us.

Now, the bridge between the first and second date is founded upon any number of elements, but we all know that one of the most critical elements is what we choose to wear. Hence the reason we all agonize over the issue. We call our friends, we rampage through our wardrobes searching for the perfect outfit as though possessed by some otherworldly energy and then, once settled on an ensemble, we panic about how what we chose accentuates our physical flaws. Trust me, I've been there (And for the record I still am).

Out of my wealth of first date experiences, I have come up with a few rules about dressing for a first date that I'd like to share in hopes that they will help those of you stepping into the breach of first dates in the days and weeks ahead.

Preparations for what you will wear should kick off the minute you make or accept a date. Never wait till the day of your date to begin thinking about these things because you will inevitably frustrate yourself. There's nothing more tiresome than discovering minutes before you are to embark on your date that the shirt you want is at the cleaners or that there's a stain on the pants that you're dying to wear. Choose several outfits ahead of time and inspect them. That way on the day of your date, you can focus solely on looking your unstressed out best.

One of the most common mistakes people make on first dates is trying to prove something. You don't need to wear every expensive piece of designer clothing or jewelry that you own in order to win over your date. What you do need is to choose something that is simple and tasteful which is flattering to your physique and accentuates your best attribute, like a blue shirt that complements your sparkling blue eyes or that great pair of slim legged black pants that makes your posterior look oh-so-very appealing. Be more than a label or a price tag, by letting your sparkling personality and wit outshine your ensemble.

Let me put this as plainly as I possibly can. Clubwear is never appropriate for a first date, unless you're going to costume party (and even then it is a questionable choice). That sparkly shirt or those satin-y pants may be appropriate for partying with friends and I don't doubt that they may make you look quite hot, but let understatement be your guiding principle when dressing for a first date. No need to give away all your cookies on the first date. Save some surprises for future dates and in so doing you'll keep it interesting.

One of the most important things about dressing for first dates is to remember to be yourself. Let your personal style shine through, because that will make you feel comfortable and confident on your date. But that doesn't mean that you have to make every fashion quirk you have apparent up front. Here again let your personality outshine your preference for Kabuki sandals or your love of mixing plaids and checks. Both can be done with style, but does one really need to learn about all of that on a first date? Remember that bit about saving some of your cookies?

Above all else, avoid looking contrived. Even if you've spent three days pulling yourself together for your first date, you shouldn't look like you have. Haircuts shouldn't be too fresh, nor should manicures. Always plan to get both a couple days before your date, so they look fresh but not painfully so. And always choose the kind of classic ensemble that can easily transcend environments. Choose something that you could have worn to the office or that you might wear out for a smart cocktail with fashionable friends depending upon the nature of your date. Bottom line: Of course, you've spent a week preparing for the date, but nobody needs to know except you.

So there you have it. Five simple rules that will hopefully make those elusive second dates more attainable. SM keywords for first dates: preparation, understatement, reserve and comfort . And always remember that whatever ensemble you choose for a first date, wear it with flair and confidence because after all, it's not so much the clothes that matter, it's the style that matters. Cheers.

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