First Date Fashion

Ah, the first date. It holds the promise of something new, something exciting and hopefully, an outstanding ending.

Of course, the first date also tends to come with a certain amount of anxiety because you want to impress her in every way possible while also genuinely enjoying yourself. Though marketing studies suggest that today’s men are perhaps more concerned with appearing well-suited than men were in the past, you’ve probably got a lot to consider when planning your date, and worrying over what to wear should be the last thing on your mind.

To help you get a handle on first-date dressing, we’ve outlined a few of the most common first-date situations and what you should wear in each one. Now you’ll never be over- or underdressed again. With the knowledge that you look smokin’ hot in your first-date fashion, you can relax a little and focus on letting your personality shine through.

Dinner date

On a first date, many people stick to the tried-and-true lunch or dinner meeting. The first impression you each create on one another will set the tone for the rest of the date, so it’s vital that you make a good one. Think carefully about the type of eatery you’ll be dining in. If you’ve made a reservation at an uber-chic restaurant, your first-date fashion will likely require a perfectly tailored, slim-fitting suit along with elegant dress shoes. On the other hand, if you show up looking like you’re red-carpet ready when you’re just grabbing a hot dog, it's more than a little inappropriate, and rather than enjoying her meal, she’ll think you’re totally out to lunch.

Although this comparison is a bit extreme, it’s true that many guys do overdress on a first date in an effort to impress their new flames. Realistically, you’ll probably be heading to a restaurant that’s a little more upscale than where you would normally go, but not the ritziest joint in town. The best first-date fashion to wear in this case is a pair of dress pants, like these ones from Zanella, that fit you well and conceal any figure flaws you may have.

On top, a dress shirt is timeless and classy, and most importantly, you’ll look refined but not like you tried too hard. One good pick is this white and grey pinstripe shirt from Prada that will look fabulous on all your first dates for years to come. As far as footwear is concerned, trade in your sneakers for some loafers. For an affordable but stylish-looking pair of basic black leather loafers, try Aldo. Do pay special attention to your shoes and give them a shining a day or so in advance because when people are nervous, they tend to look down, so she’ll probably notice if you’re wearing dirty shoes.

Movie theater

Another standard first date destination is the movies. If you’re in the habit of dressing sharply, then put some effort into choosing your outfit, although take care not to go overboard since it’s not like you have to compete with any of the sleekly dressed male characters in the film. On the other hand, guys who tend to favor casual jeans and sneakers should avoid sprucing up too much just to catch a flick. After all, if you wear more tailored clothing when your style is usually more loose and laid-back, you’re setting the standard for how your date will expect you to dress in the future. So unless you’re prepared to get dressed up every time you leave the house, don’t bother.

(askmen.com) Click in above for details... or here for homepage to see whatelse is new in Mens wear