What to wear on a first date

If you've been talking to someone online for a long time, one of the most nerve wracking moments of your potential relationship is likely to be just around the corner – meeting for that all-important first date. 

Agreeing to meet someone normally means you feel like you might be interested in them at least a little, so you'll be eager to impress, and no doubt a little nervous as well. One of the most difficult things you'll have to decide is what to wear. After all, you're out to impress, and you want to present the best you possible.

Does it matter?

You might not think that what you wear on a first date will have that much importance, especially if you have many other fantastic qualities to offer. But according to one expert, it can have a real impact on how someone sees you for the first time, which is obviously a big moment for those people who are dating online.

Speaking to Stylecaster, Chiara Atik, an author and blogger from New York who has written her own guide to dating called Modern Dating: A Field Guide, said that clothes are more important than most people think.

She said that while researching her book, it became clear that women in particular need to take care with what they choose to wear. For men who have only ever seen photos on an online dating profile of someone, clothing can make an important first impression when they meet face to face for the first time.

Men should take care as well, though. Ms Atik said that women are not looking for a specific style from their first date, they want to know that they are stylish to a degree, know how to dress and have a certain amount of pride in his appearance. 

What to wear: Guys

For men, dressing for a first date should be as easy as following a few simple steps. No matter the situation and location, choosing what to wear should be reasonably straightforward. 

For more casual dates, such as just meeting up for a coffee or heading to the cinema, you should wear something that matches the occasion. Turning up in a suit will just leave you looking awkward and out of place. A nice pair of jeans in a good condition and a tshirt will do the job. Your tshirt should be plain or classy, though – don't turn up in something emblazoned with a ridiculous logo or a joke or it becomes the first thing you'll be judged on. 

If you're having a fancier date, however, such as a meal at a nice restaurant, you will want to put a little more effort in. Try wearing a pair of dress trousers, but not the suit jacket, and pair it with a nice shirt in a downplayed colour. You don't want to go totally over the top and make yourself seem too eccentric at first. 

What to wear: Girls

It can be a little more complicated for women to decide what they want to wear on a first date, with a far wider range of outfit types on offer, but the best advice is to keep it simple and stylish, and you should see success. 

Again, when going on a casual date, there's no need to glam it up and look like you're ready to hit the catwalk. The simple rule is to dress as you normally would, which helps you feel more comfortable, but make it a bit more fancy. You should wear a nice pair of jeans and try coupling it with a new jumper or a jacket. 

If you're going on a fancier date to a restaurant, one top tip is to call ahead. Find out what the restaurant's ambience and dress code are like and you'll be sure not to under or overdress. In most cases, a black dress, a subtle pair of heels and some nice jewellery should stand you in good stead.