First Date Fashion Tips

In honor of Fashion Week and the changing of the seasons, it just might be time to spice up your wardrobe a bit and seize a new look for your next online date.

Wardrobe coach, Nicole Longstreath has offered her fashion advice on how to dress on a date to help you look your best, both online and offline.

A first date with a potential suitor can be a make-or-break affair. It’s important to be genuine so, much like a job interview, you want to be ready to chat about all the right things – and avoid the wrong things. More importantly, you also want your wardrobe to project the right image.

Putting together that perfect first-date outfit can mean the difference between making the best impression and never getting a call back. While getting ready for the date, here are a few things to remember:

Don’t rush. If you have to schedule a Friday-night-date, make sure you have enough time to get home from work with sufficient time to get date-ready. An 8:00 Friday night date is perfect. Otherwise, schedule something for Saturday.

Give yourself options. The day before, take a good look in your closet and pull together a selection of 2 to 3 outfit options. Consider what the date’s activities will be and plan accordingly.

Dress comfortably. I can’t stress this enough – do not wear something that is ill-fitting, itchy, doesn’t breathe well or shows perspiration easily (silk and satin). The idea is to project your genuine personality, which will be difficult if you are fussing with your clothing. It will also distract your date from the conversation. Don’t forget, this especially applies to shoes; make sure the shoes you choose to wear are well broken-in and you can comfortably walk in them for 3-4 hours.

Factor the conditions. Where I live, in Southern California, the evenings can get quite chilly even in Summer time. If you plan to be anywhere outdoors, make sure you bring a sweater or jacket which coordinates with your outfit. Conversely, dress in layers so you can remove something if the weather gets hot.

Keep it simple and sexy. When it comes to fashion, most men are out of the loop when it comes to trends. Your best bet is to avoid styles which are very trendy, even if your date is fashion-forward. Think classic styles – drapey skirts which hit at the knee, blouses which have v-neck and sweetheart necklines and styles which accentuate the waist. Skip the complicated stuff and save your trendier garments for future dates.

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Summer Fashion Dos and Dont’s for Daters

We’re in the middle of summer now, but some singles are just starting to date again. Finding the right outfit to make that terrific first impression in your online dating profile or on a first date is really important.

Our friends at Match.com polled some of their members to find out what they prefer seeing their date wearing and I’m tossing in some of my fashion favorites for both men and women for the season.

Women

Do wear long hair in braids. It’s fun and flirty and not just for children anymore.

Don’t wear a low cut dress or top. There’s no need to show off your cleavage on a first date, unless you’re anxious to head to the bedroom.

Do wear white pants on a date. Take advantage of the clean feeling of bright white in the summer time.

Don’t wear flip flops. Men still like the look of a heel on a woman. Unless you’re taking a beach walk, wear a high-heeled open toe sandal.

Do wear a short skirt or dress. Short and sexy will never go out of style.

Men

Do wear khaki’s. It’s simple and conservative. You can’t go wrong with this look combined with a polo shirt.

Don’t wear a Hawaiian shirt. Bright patterns are distracting and out-of-style.

Do wear aviator sunglasses. Women find this look sexy on an outdoor date. Remember when you go inside, take them off so she can glance at your eyes.

Don’t wear a Speedo. Never ever wear a Speedo or she’ll speed out of there faster than you can imagine. Try wearing conservative swimsuit or shorts if you’re headed to the beach.

Do wear a vee neck tee shirt or cardian sweater. This casual look for the summer may make her eyes melt.

Do you have a favorite summer fashion look? Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Julie Spira is an online dating expert, bestselling author, and founder of CyberDatingExpert.com. She creates irresistible online dating profiles for singles on the dating scene. Follow Julie on Twitter @JulieSpira for dating advice and like her at facebook.com/CyberDatingExpert

Color Your World With Not-So-Blue Jeans

It’s springtime and for many, it’s time to rearrange your closet to make room for warm-weather clothes or even splurge for some new additions to your wardrobe.

My recommendation this spring is to indulge in the wonderful palette of colors in denim jeans. Forget whether it’s black or blue,  you can now wear a different pair of colored jeans every day of the week, and the brighter, the better.

From Victoria’s Secret VS Kiss Capri in red, priced at $39.50 to rose-colored MF Jeans for $130, there are a variety of styles and colors to choose from. So think back to your favorite color in the Crayola crayon box and you’ll be right in style on date night this season.

When In Doubt, Wear Red

I have always believed in the significance of wearing red on a first date.

Here’s what we intuitively know about the color red:

• Red is the color of love.
• Red ignites passion.
• Red is the signature color for Valentine’s Day.
• You give red roses to a blue lady.
• Red is sexy.
• Red is a powerful color for women in the bedroom and the boardroom.
• Red stimulates the heart to beat faster.

Recently, I wrote an article on Huffington Post about why men were attracted to women who wore red. This behavior was backed up by a research study from the European Journal of Social Psychology called *”Red and Romantic Behavior in Viewing Women.”

In the above mentioned study,  male undergraduates were shown photographs of young adult women. Some women were wearing the color green and others were wearing red. As they were looking at photos alone, the study showed similar behaviors to those who would view women’s profiles on an online dating site. The men appeared to ask more forward questions to the women in red as compared to the generic questions asked of the women wearing green.

While wearing red won’t guarantee a marriage proposal,  it is more likely that it will result in more forward conversations according to the study.

I have been recommending that women wear red on their first dates with men for many years. My online dating profile always had a photo of me wearing red. The man who proposed to me, who I met on JDate, affectionately called me “The Lady in Red.”

Red might not be your favorite color, but wearing red when going to singles events and meeting men for the first time will capture the attention of the men in the room. I feel so strongly about the color red, that cover of my book, The Perils of Cyber-Dating shows a girl wearing a red dress getting ready for a date. We know that men are visual and are likely to remember what you wore on your first date, so why not wear red to make your first impression?

Wearing red to attract men is so powerful, that the Jewish Journal came to my home earlier this year to shoot a video with some of my expert online dating tips. Where did they start? In my closet of course. They wanted me to talk about the red dresses that were worn on many first dates. Men and women everywhere are backing up the research from the experts in the recent study on the color of red.

Does that mean I think you should toss out your favorite green shirt? No. But since first impressions do matter and men are looking at hundreds of photos every time they log online looking for love, perhaps wearing red isn’t such a bad idea at all. You have a split second to make an impression online and having a profile photo and catchy screen name to draw a man in, is important. Men are, and always will be visual. Once you get past the color test, it’s time to show him the authentic you and let your personality shine.

*”Red and Romantic Behavior in Men Viewing Women,” Daniela Niesta Kayser, Andrew J. Elliot, Roger Feltman, European Journal of Social Psychology (October, 2010)

Summer Swimwear by SATC Stylist Patricia Field

Although Sex and the City 2 may be a distant memory, it’s now officially swimsuit season.  SATC stylist Patricia Field launched her new House of Field Swimwear line on the rooftop of 230 Fifth in Manhattan the day after the film’s premiere so grab your tanning butter and select your favorite design.

Patricia Field’s Swimsational Disco Soiree included custom Sex and the City inspired cocktails by SKYY Vodka, and a fashion show attended by thousands of SATC fans and fashion enthusiasts. The cost of the bathing suits run from $90-$200 and portrayed a colorful delight on a desert themed evening. Accessories included eye wear an beach towels.

Are you ready to vote for your favorites?

For more information visit PatricaField.com

The Multi-Million Dollar Sex and the City 2 Wardrobe

It won’t appear like there’s a recession when fans go to see the long-awaited Sex and the City 2, due out in theatres on May 27, 2010.

According to In Touch Weekly, Carrie Bradshaw’s  wardrobe included 41 costume changes. Some of the designers included Pucci, Halston, and Alexander McQueen.  Phillip Block, stylist-to-the-stars, was on the set and he estimated the price of the wardrobe for Sex and the City 2 at $10 million.

In the InTouch article, Block said, “Some of these pieces cost more than an SUV,” he says. “But they get better mileage!”

Sex and the City Stylist Patricia Field had dressed Carrie in Halston in one of the television episodes where Carrie was dating a politician. In the recently released documentary film, Ultrasuede: A Search for Halston, Field said, “It was a play on Jackie O.”

Krsitin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall and Cynthia Nixon will get to keep their new over-the-top wardrobe to memorialize their second feature film. The question to ask yourself is, “What fashion designer will you be wearing to view the Sex and the City 2 film with your girlfriends?”

Countdown to Sex and the City 2 – Celebrate with Macy’s Girls Weekend

Grab your girlfriends and get ready to shop and celebrate as we countdown to one of the most exciting films of the season, Sex and the City 2.

Macy’s and Warner Brothers have teamed up in conjunction with the launch of Sex and the City 2, scheduled to hit the screens in the U.S. on Thursday, May 27th. Mark your calendars now for “Girls Weekend” on May 20-23, 2010. There will be plenty of exciting in-store shopping events for fashion lovers everywhere.

On Thursday, May 20, 2010, the store chain will be giving away Sex and the City 2 advance movie screening tickets to the first 50 customers in 55 cities across the country who purchase $100 or more.

On Friday, May 21, 2010, pick up your exclusive, limited-edition Sex and the City 2 make-up brush set created by Warner Brothers and available only at Macy’s, redeemable at the Fragrance Bar. ($100 storewide purchase required and while supplies last).

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, for those who have to be the first to see the long-awaited film, Macy’s customers will receive Hollywood movie cash ($8.50 coupon towards your purchases of a Sex and the City 2 tickets at select movie theaters across the country with any storewide purchase of $100 while supplies last).

If that’s not exciting enough, you can even enter here to win a trip for four to head to Marrakesh.

For more information visit Macys.com/girlsweekend.

To get in the mood, watch the trailer for the film, perhaps while sipping a Skyy Vodka Cosmo.

Hip Sunglasses for Spring

In my excitement of the arrival of spring, I found a neglected drawer filled with Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses that had been retired many years ago.

My enthusiasm resulted in a glow, as the famous brand is now back in style in a big way. Ray-Ban sunglasses have been seen on celebrities including Katie Holmes, David Beckham, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Jessica Alba. If you aren’t as lucky as I am to have a collection of your own, visit  Zappos where you can pick up a pair for the spring season.

Ray-Ban – 2132 New Wayfarer (Red/Tortoise/B-15XLT Lens) – Eyewear

Price: From $109.00. Shelf-life: Never-ending

FIDM Debut 2010 Runway Show

It’s on the calendar every year. Those with a passion for fashion on the west coast anxiously await for the Fashion Week every March.

One of the treats leading up to Fashion Week is the FIDM Debut Runway show. It’s an exciting time for the students at FIDM, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.  Over 10,000 people view the invitation-only runway show over a period of 3 days.

I attended the dress rehearsal along with other members of the Costume Council of LACMA as one our annual events.

The theme this year included FIDM’s Theatre Costume Design presentation: “FIDM goes to the movies – A Tribute to Judy and Liza,” complete with 2 Judy and Liza impersonators, a chorus line,  and film clips from their famous movies including, Easter Parade and The Wizard of Oz.

The event is supported by Industry Leaders and the business community. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the FIDM Scholarship Foundation. The event showcases exciting and unique collections from FIDM’s graduating students in Fashion Design, Theatre Costume Design, Interior Design, Textile Design, and Graphic Design Advanced Study Program.

Along with the excitement and festivities for Fall Fashion Week scheduled for March 17-24, 2010, I think I’ll do a bit of spring cleaning in my closet.

Fringe Frenzy

The fringe look is back in the fashion world, although I am wondering if it ever left.  Accessorizing with fringe can be fun, flirty, and even sophisticated. It’s a fashion statement that you can dress up or down. Here are a few of my favorites to indulge in from head to toe this season. Try wearing one of these styles on your next online date.

Calvin Klein – Tiered Fringe Dress

Minnetonka – 5-Layer Fringe Boot

Rachel Leigh – Set of Three Suede Fringe Bangles

Betsey Johnson – Ski Bunny Fringe Snowflakes Cascading Earrings

Lucky Brand – Foxy Lady Fringe Crossbody (Dusty Lavender)

Ed Hardy – Peace, Love Tattoos Fringe Scarf (Pink) – Accessories

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