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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Julie Spira is the Digital Matchmaker® and America's Top Online Dating Expert. She's an award-winning certified dating coach who's been helping singles find their perfect match for over three decades. Follow @JulieSpira on IG and @digitalmatchmaker on TikTok.