Going on a first date can be daunting and choosing an outfit can play a big part in how you look, feel and act. You want to feel confident and still dress appropriately for the occasion.
Here are a few looks to experiment with, just remember to always dress your shape and your personality:
The Look: Evening Glamour
You can never go past a little black dress – it is always going to be a hit. There are so many designs to choose from and it is important to choose the right shape for your body type. A little black dress can always look different just by mixing and matching your accessories so if you find the right “one” you will always have something to wear out.
A short dress and heels is probably not going to be suitable for a daytime date, but for a nice evening meal or a night out it is perfect. You can always add a bit of extra personality with a pair of bright pumps. If the date doesn’t work out, you are dressed and ready for a girl’s night out!
(Dresses: ASOS)
(Shoes: MIDAS)
The Look: Casual Girl Next Door
A casual lunch or a day at the movies requires something with a little less impact than a cocktail dress. This doesn’t mean you can wear trackies, but something along the lines of jeans. Jeans are always a safe option as you can dress them up or down.
You can stick with the traditional denim or choose a coloured pair. A nice top, loose hair and a pair of ballet flats (or heels if you are comfortable walking in them) and you are ready to go.
(Left: Jeanswest Outfit / Right: J.Crew)
(Ballet flats: J.Crew)
The Look: Sporty Girl
There may be times when you go on a first date which is a little more non traditional. Rock climbing, bike riding, or any other physical activity is a bit trickier to dress for. You want to be appropriate while still looking cute. Hair in a pony tail and minimal makeup will work well with workout gear. Anything unflattering or sweat stained is a no – and if you are wearing leggings (and you don’t have a perfect bod) choose a longer top. Brands like Lorna Jane and Running Bare were created so that women could look and feel amazing while working out so make the most of it!
(Leggings and top: Lorna Jane)
The Look: Feminine
For a feminine daytime look which would suit a picnic or outdoor BBQ, you could choose a maxi dress. Maxi dresses hide your flaws, make you feel feminine without having any worries about them riding up!
If maxi isn’t your style (this shape isn’t’ for everyone) go for a shorter, floral print instead – you will still get that femininity and show off your legs.
(Left: Jeans West / Right: ASOS)
If you have worked out your outfit but don’t have a date lined up, check out eHarmony Australia to find your match. The website caters to everyone with a diverse range of members in varying age ranges, ethnic background and location. This formula gives you the best chance at finding your most compatible partner. For example, if you are specifically looking for an Asian partner you can visit this page.
This competition is now closed.
What would you wear on a first date?
Beauty and Lace is an online magazine for women. We hope you enjoyed this article!
Wear something you feel confident and know you look good in. Also it should suit your body shape, but not show too much in case it sends the wrong message. Just as important is good hygeine, make-up and attention to detail. Think of it a bit like a job interview; first impressions count!
Depends where going casual bar-b-que nice black dress formal
I am taken by a lovely guy but my advice would be this:
Don’t feel like you have to go all-out on the first date – make yourself comfortable, wear heels you are used to and wearing clothes you have worn before and perhaps been complimented on (by other women – not men!). If you are a makeup person wear makeup but if you aren’t don’t go overboard or you will feel possibly feel weird. Just a touch is enough. Be yourself and stick basically with an enhanced version of your day to day style – it’s ok to leave room for improvement! Let your personality shine and if you end up on a second date, then it’s a chance to spend a little more time and effort on glamming it up. By then you shouldn’t be so nervous and can throw some new clothes or higher heels or more makeup in without it being another thing to worry about. If he’s a keeper he won’t judge you on looking ‘perfect’ on the first date. But like Fi (above) said – hygiene!! Brush your teeth, clean your fingernals and don’t forget a good anti perspirant deodorant – a low fragrance one so you can use your perfume to give you a nice scent without it clashing. Relax and enjoy it and hopefully you end up with more chances to really impress him 🙂
I would wear something comty and not to skimpy ,i would prefer my date to focus on my eyes and smile and personality them on my body.i would wear a nice pair of Black slacks(pants) and a nice colorful blouse and a pair of sensible shoes that are comfy.
A fitted maxi dress. One colour, perhaps slight embellishment, definatly not anything floral! Keep it sophisticated and feminine, it’s easy to wear with whatever accessories and some heels.
It’s easy to look fashionable and follow trends, but being sophisticated is just something else. Keep it in your own style 🙂
What would I wear on a first date????
Well it all depends on the weather and where you are going on your date.I would dress to be comfortable and keep it simple and stylish and classy and dress to impress by your body shape,don’t go over the top or too skimpy, keep what you wear under your clothes a mystery and one to want to explore !!!!!!!
I would love to wear something feminine on my first date that will reflect my personality and will not overpower me that is the person should be able to see ‘the real me’ in those clothes instead of just seeing my clothes… 🙂
Something that reflects my personality, without being skimpy…I don’t want him to get the wrong idea before he even gets to know ‘me’. What I would actually wear would depend on a number of factors…what the weather was like that day and where we were actually going on the date (Fancy restaurant on a Saturday night or out for Sunday morning brunch?). Above all, keep it true to yourself and make sure you are feeling comfortable, you will only feel *more* nervous if you are tugging at your too-short skirt all night whilst trying to make intelligent conversation with your date 😉
Dress nicely but slightly conservative as what we were does send a message and you don’t want the wrong one to be sent.
Formal I agree can’t go past the LBD, off to the movies then just a nice blouse with jeans.
casual but pretty, jeans and heels, a cute but not to flirty top.
Wear something that you feel comfortable in first and foremost after all it will help with your confidence & your focus on the date and if it’s a disaster it will be easier to get away too. It all depends on where you are going on your first date on what you should wear but make sure you look cute with a dash of sexy. Last thing you need to do is look like you are going to a wedding. Don’t forget to look good head to toe & to smell sexy as well. After all first impressions last.
how odd…i swear i commented …hhmmm
Ive liked eharmony on facebook
Hi Meedee, you did – the comments have been sorted into pages. If you click “Older Comments” down the bottom you will eventually find yours! Hope this helps 🙂
Hopefully the first date that i would be going on would be something rather lo key so we were both relaxed and could talk so i would wear my most favortite colour of pink which i think looks great on me with my blonde hair and blue eyes. A soft flowing pink blouse and a chrisp white skirt and a pair of strappy sandles with a slight heel. I do hope this first date is with George Clooney. Wonder if i could find him on eharmony 🙂
There’s only 2 things that are essential to wear on a first date…that’s confidence and a smile. The rest is pointless without those two!
I would advise wearing something pretty but modest, so as not to give bad impressions. It depends on where your meeting, but make sure you do not reveal too much flesh and dress to suit location. A dress and heels for dinner out, pretty jeans top for outdoors etc.
I would wear a rucksack. You never know when you will be tackling a mountain or desert terrain. Of course I would pack food and water in it for the date. I would team my rucksack with my spandex unitard. It is purple and sequinned and is both visually appealing and versatile. Completing my outfit will be my 46 year old Doc Martens, that I purchased in a shanty town back in Vietnam, Europe.
Black pants and a white shirt. Take a largeish black handbag with a bright scarf attached. Add some silver jewellery and you will look elegant and understated , allowing your personality to be the focus of attetion.
My advice is to wear something that you feel comfortable and confident in no matter what the first date is so that you dont loose that ‘you’ factor that attracted him to you in the first place. Of course a little black dress almost never fails either!
First thing to keep in mind is to wear something you are comfortable in! No point wearing heels on the first date if you can barely walk in them 😛 I would suggest wearing a black skater skirt with a cute sweater, or a nice blouse, depending on the occasion(and weather!). I find that you can dress a black skater skirt up or down, and you can even wear it with black tights for those colder evenings. For shoes, I’d wear flats, or wedges if you want added height. Don’t forget to complete your look with a dazzling smile 🙂
Don’t try too hard as there’s nothing worse. I love wearing a trusty old favourite – which is tried and tested!
Something comfortable and bright. Definitely a colour that suits you. Not too high heels and definitely no new shoes.
A nice pair of jeans, with a nice dress top or blouse, teamed with a pair of heels if dinner or flats for lunch! Definitely nothing you don’t feel comfortable in. Or nothing can beat a LBD!
I would wear a feminine dress with a comfortable (but cute) cardy and a pair of ballet flats. It’s important to show your personality and just wear what is the real you – if they don’t like what you wear, then they probably aren’t the right one for you.
You have to wear something you feel comfortable in which suits the occasion and is flattering (so NO TRACKIES!). Smart jeans and a smart top is very versatile. I’d also say not to wear something brand new because you don’t want to discover that some part of the outfit rides up or slips down in an inappropriate way, mid way through the date!
It doesn’t matter what’s on top, but underneath you should wear the laciest, raciest lingerie you can handle. Even though it’s hidden, it’s a thrill to know you have something super sexy on. It will totally boost your confidence, and confidence is the sexiest thing ever! It worked for me (now 7 years happily attached).
Peplum top, coloured denim jeans, sexy ballets or killer heels & accessorise with a key neck piece & bracelet to tie it all together. Dont forget the best thing you can wear is your smile so dont forget to brush those pearly whites!
There are only 3 rules to perfectly dress for a successful date:
No boobs
No butts
No bellies
So unless you want to look cheap & nasty, thats no low cut tops, no mini skirts/dresses/shorts, and no midriff tops. Keep a little feminine mystery to yourself, the guys love it
There are only 3 rules to perfectly dress for a successful date – No boobs, No butts, No bellies. So unless you want to look cheap & nasty, thats no low cut tops, no mini skirts, dresses or shorts, and no midriff tops. Keep a little feminine mystery to yourself, the guys love it.
casual but cute
First impressions are what counts, so dress how you want to be perceived and for the type of partner you are trying to attract. I would recommend something classy and feminine which accentuates your best features without revealing too much. Definitely dress up rather than down as it is important to look like you have made an effort. A knee length dress with a set of elegant heels is good for a day or evening date. Make sure you can walk gracefully in your chosen footwear. Never wear anything too clingy and check for unsightly underwear lines.
Even though it should never come out on a first date, never get lazy with the underwear. You never know when your bra strap might show if your top slips down your shoulder a little. A stylish lacy set in a light colour is a good option.
I am married, but I would advise this- wear something that you feel comfortable and confident in, don’t wear something that you feel that you need to suck your tummy in all night long. Wear something conservative, yet flattering- a nice little black dress is always good and a dress is better than jeans as you don’t have to worry about showing your crack (which can happen to the best of us). Halter necks are great as they are flattering on the figure and they feel comfortable (if you get the right one) and show just the right amount of flesh so that you still feel feminine.
I would recommend a fun & flirty dress, natural make up with a bit of coloured lip gloss, and pretty but practical shoes because you never know what you might be doing on a first date! Then you will have the freedom to be the real you, and loved for it!
As anyone would, I would want to make a good first impression whilst looking friendly, cute and confident! My perfect outfit would be a fun and flirty floral dress, with natural makeup, a matching shoulder strapped purse, and to finish it off, gorgeous, yet comfortable and practical shoes. I’d want an outfit I felt comfortable and confident in, looked good but mostly, that I could enjoy myself in!
I would wear a deep blue shirt matched with a leopard print scarf and skinny jeans. I would also team that with some JCrew ballet flats and a small handbag.
A nice, floaty but sexy sundress, some dressy shoes (beaded sandals or leather flats), a cute clutch and some soft and simple make-up
If it is just to Maccas – be myself and wear ordinary jeans and pullover.
I would keep it simple and not too over the top. I am going with black dress that is fitted and really feminine. Sexy black silettos and silver jewellery.
Go for the “Goldilocks look”, not too hot, not too cold – but just right.
“liked” the eharmony page
For me, the first date is all about achieving that effortlessly-cool-without-having-to-try look. I’d go for a feminine, floaty blouse in a bold colour, maybe with a playful pussy bow or Peter-Pan collar, teamed with a sexy fitted skirt and boots. Hair, makeup and accessories should be effortless too – lightly tousled locks, wide-eyed mascara and simple gold hoops. Add personal flair with a statement ring, bold lip or vintage bag and you’ve got my ideal first dale outfit.
A pair of black/navy leggings and a basic tunic top, a pair of black boots (low heel) and a small pair of gold hoops.
I would wear something comfortable but still eye catching.
First impressions last a lifetime and I would want to show who I really am by what I wear.
I’m a firm believer that guys go for the girl next door –
This means you can’t appear too high maintenance (especially on a first date!). Of course that doesn’t mean you put zero effort in to your first date outfit, it just means you need to look like you haven’t!
I think a fitted pair of jeans, silk singlet and ankle boots is the perfect ‘faux low maintenance’ first date outfit.
🙂
An outfit that isn’t going to hold you back from enjoying yourself. Your date will notice too. A knee length skirt and ‘best colour on you’ shirt and slip-on shoes. Stylish but chic. Dress it up with stunning perfume!
Wear something that you feel good in, do not over dress because he will expect you to look that good all the time. Make sure you smell good because that can turn a man on more than your look 🙂
Ankle length skirt, long sleeved top, a scarf over my hair and no jewellery or makeup. I’m 56 years old. Think of who I would be dating!
I’d recommend wearing something that makes you feel gorgeous. Nothing that’s uncomfortable, falls down, or is always riding up. And never road test a new outfit or make up on a first date – stick with what you know you love.
Dress appropriately for the occasion whether it’s coffee date or formal dinner but make sure you are comfortable and dressed in your own style so your personality shines through.
Once I got my hair and nails done, new heels, new frock – only to be taken…PIG SHOOTING…I would say forget the sense of mystery – make sure you are th one who picks the occasion so you can dress for it.
haha I love this story !!!
It depends on where you are going for your first date. However, regardless of the venue I think it is important to wear an outfit you feel incredibly confident and comfortable in and reflects your style and personality. There is nothing worse than being focused on your outfit and squirming around feeling uncomfortable when you should be concentrating on the other person and gettign to know them better.