Dressing for a job interview is one thing, but dressing for a first date with someone you’ve had your eye on for months? Now that’s a challenge. Wildly over-dress and the first date may well be your last; under-dress and risk being branded an unpresentable schlub who won’t be getting a second date, much less anything else.How to get it just right? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Baseball or royal ball? Figure out where you’re going – is it a jeans and parka night at the stadium, formal black-tie gala or something in between? Before you think about getting dressed for the big night, have a very clear picture in your mind about the formality (or lack thereof) of the occasion. When in doubt, it’s better to err slightly on the side of over-dressed. For example, a blazer, jeans and sneakers worn with a shirt and tie can work well at a baseball game, whether you wind up cheering from in the nose-bleed seats or whooping it up in the corporate sky-box.
Hairy situations: Yes brushing, flossing, fresh breath and a shower are always appreciated, but don’t forget the little things either. Remember to groom your beard and sideburns if you’ve got em. Give the nose hairs and yes, dare we say it, ear hairs a trim. If your eyebrows are Andy Rooney-esque, may we suggest hedge-clippers? Just kidding – actually, we’d recommend a pro shaping – but firmly tell the aesthetician that you want to keep them as natural-looking as possible. To give them a point of reference, just tell them your brows should take their cues from American Idol – your brows should be a lot more David Archuletta than Adam Lambert.
Keep it simple: Your mouth should do the talking, not your clothes, so skip corporate logo tees, Def Leppard tees and sports team jerseys. In general, it’s best to keep writing, lettering and designs to a minimum – are you listening Jon Gosselin? Put it this way, your date may not notice a good shirt, but trust us, she will remember a bad one, possibly forever. Your best bet is to go with a fitted, solid color t-shirt in a low-key neutral that’s either totally plain, or has a subtle design, like the Organic Vines Tee by Perry Ellis.
Cover your assets:If you’re not a natural fashion hound or your body isn’t Ryan Reynolds-ripped, then head for the middle ground – your clothes don’t have to stop traffic but they should fit well. Shirts should fit close to the torso and tuck neatly into pants without a lot of overhanging fabric under the arms or bunching around the waist. You want to give her an idea as to the shape of the body underneath your clothes – not obliterate it. Pants should follow the lines of the body – again with the goal of finding the happy medium between “Dancing With The Stars” tight, and Lil’ Wayne baggy/below-the-butt loose.
Hold the headgear: On that all important first date, just say no to baseball caps, Axl Rose/Brett Michaels headscarves and cowboy hats – they won’t hide thinning locks for long. Instead, if you’re loosing your hair, get a good cut and let your bald flag fly. Chances are she’s figured out your follicular challenges already or if all goes well, she’ll find out soon enough, so skip the headgear – and keep it real.
