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?
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Something conservative, you want him to be interested and use his imagination for that second date….oh and flats so if hes awful you can run away fast.
Something that CANNOT get food stuck down the front of it at dinner. Bad scene man….
It’s absolutely critical to choose something you’re comfortable in – you don’t want to be worrying about your clothes all the time when you want to be getting to know your date.
It’s also important to choose something you feel good in, too, so you get that burst of confidence that helps get you over the first few awkward minutes. Maybe something you’ve been complimented on in the past…
With those prerequisites, I’d generally choose a nice dress, mid length, not too much cleavage, and mid heels. That kind of outfit will fit most places and activities (unless you’re doing something super active, of course).
I always love a little black dress, but I prefer a little cream dress, with a modest, just below the knees, hem – no stress about matching tops and bottoms, and the cream shows off a tan very nicely.
On my first date, I often wear a pair of my best jeans, a nice jumper, some wedge heels and my hair down with a little make up – but not too over the top!
I like to wear something feminine and flattering, but it has to be comfortable (it’s amazing the faces you accidentally pull when wearing something uncomfortable!) Often a dress and healed shoes.
Personally what i would wear, as i love vintage, is simple tea dress, short sleeved, collared, with a waist nipped by a contrasting colored belt (probably red), matching red flats with red bows on them, and two red roses in my hair, ohhhh and how can you forget the matching red lipstick to pull the whole outfit together!
A tea dress is 3/4 length, so not revealing, its classy without being too dressed up, they are comfortable so you wont be worried about things like pulling your skirt down because it keeps riding up, or pulling your strapless top up because it keeps riding down.
I’m very much a dress n heels girl – BUT I had a first date on the weekend and it was fairly casual – so I wore my black skinny jeans from Dotti, an oversized (but not frumpy) sheer aqua coloured shirt from Glassons (with a white singlet under it of course!) and aqua high heels which I got from novo (I also got them in blue – they had a ‘2nd pair 1/2 price sale’ score!!). Teamed it with a black tailored jacket and dark pink scarf and I felt a million bucks 🙂
ok i thought about this answer ten or more times now guess it would depend on were we going but i would have to find money to buy something new as everything in my draws wouldnt be right after trying them but i would have the right shoes unless i went with a skirt and top as then knew high boots would look the best there only one thing i can say for true i would go with very light makeup as if it first date would only be coffee so most like jeans and top with weged heels and light makeup always best as if you go on other date and they dont like make up they do let you know but everyone are more pretty without makeup anyways
Something that is not tooooooooo revealing and over-stated. Dont go wearing something that over exposes to much flesh. I think you cannot go wrong with a tailored pants,shirt and matching jacket. It always gives you that stylish look and it is most comfortable in any environment. The right accessories are very important as well. Whether it is night or day you just cannot go wrong with this outfit. Not only that tailored pants can accenuate your figure
I’d wear a dress, something pretty but then I’m a dress kind of girl so that’s what I’d feel comfy in!
I like eharmony
I’d definitely recommend a friend wears a skirt + top plus some shoes that aren’t too high (especially if the guy is challenged in the height department)!
First things first you’ve got to wear some amazing lingerie! Preferably silk…He won’t get to see it (it is the first date) but you’ll know its there and it’ll give you that extra bit of confidence!
depends on where you are going, stick with what ever makes you feel safe and comfortable it will give you that extra boost and confidence that will make you shine
Nothing too revealing as you want your date to be interested in your mind as a priority, especially if you are initially after a long term relationship,
Wear something that showcases your uniqueness as an individual. Mindlessly following trends is terribly bland – wearing something that emanates a sense of ‘you’ and the kind of person you are comes across much less contrived and more sincere. And plus, standing out from those who blindly follow what’s ‘in style’ is bound to leave an intriguing and lasting impression on any potential partner.
I like to dress in a feminine way on the first date. I also would wear a lovely pair of flats incase we go for a walk and also so we may be the right hieight .And so it would be a nice flowing dress.I love my dresses.
Definitely a sexy shoe with a heel – not anything too high or difficult to walk in. A dress that is just above knee height, but isn’t too tight. Something that shows off some back but is modest at the front! A glimpse of what might be – one day – if he’s lucky!
I’ve liked eHarmony on Facebook. (Facebook Name: Jenny Swift) Let’s just hope my fiancee doesn’t notice, lol! 😀
Ooohhh I love this topic. I think it greatly depends on what the activity is doesn’t it? Are they going to a restaurant, a brunch?
I would suggest to my friend that she needs to be in something that she is comfortable in. No point stacking on the 6 inch heels with big bling if she is not normally dressed like this. I am sure that the other party would rather see my friend in her own natural comfort and appearance! So if she is a jeans girl, let her be in jeans 🙂
I would definitely go for a little black dress with a pair of comfortable black heels. The colour and style of dress may hide some unwanted spare parts that would otherwise turn him off 😉
I have liked Eharmony FB page: (FB name: Joyce Tan)
I would go for the casual girl next door look. First dates are really nerve racking so I’d be most comfy in this and suitable to whatever the date may be…instead of wearing a dress and heels only to discover the first date involves a walk in the country side! I speak from experience!
I like eharmony!
It just depends, my first date with my now husband was in Nepal! But to my friend in Oz, something feminine and comfortable with a bit of personality. He wants to see you, not who you think you should be!
Wear something comfy accompanied by your beautiful smile 🙂
I would wear something stylish, and classy, not show to much, but also show off my curves, like some sleek tightfitting pants, with a lovely blouse and some heels.
I’d tell my friend to make sure she was happy with the outfit she chooses to wear. If you are comfortable, then it is so much easier to be relaxed, and show your true self..
Something nice & bright like the new pencil jeans in orange & a pair of flat shoes and a stylish top. George Clooney will just love me in that outfit.
I have liked eharmony on facebook
I’d try and look really feminine – but I’d show my mum first, because she has great fashion sense and is so stylish!
Something feminine which brings out your best features with being too sexy
A black dress, nothing too short but something that shows off my legs. Make sure the dress plays up your assets. No heels, some kind of flat because a first date shouldn’t be formal.
A little black dress with wedge. I don’t want to hide my straight long legs and a pair of wedge can make sure that my feet are comfortable.
Liked eHarmony on Facebook, my FB name is Lilly Song.
What I am comfortable in , if its Slacks and Sloppy Joe , well that good , why dress in something that , I Rarly or Never get dressed in, and feel totally out of place!
I’d wear a daring LRD (little red dress) with killer heels. Red is a passionate colour and so loving. I’d also “do a britney” 😉
Then I’d spritz ALOT of perfume so I can have him sniffing for more…
Like on Facebook 🙂
Wear something that makes you feel confident.. confidence in yourself is really attractive.. also wear something that you feel comfortable in and that is essentially you.. clothes should let your personality shine through.. not make you feel like you’re someone else.. especially when you’re there trying to get to know someone! Lastly, put the effort and time in to look good before you go out so that when you walk out the door you don’t have to think about what you’re wearing.. you’ll just have the underlying confidence that you look great and are comfortable with who you are!
A silk dress, as it’d be stunning to wear and make me feel feminine and beautiful. A pair of heels would complement it perfectly.
So assuming I have already been on the date, found my outfit was a terrible choice and regretted it for the next week (which is usually how things go, sigh) … I would wear the opposite.
E.g. If I wore a little black dress with biege heels only to have it constantly fly up in the wind and shocking onlookers, I would wear black skinny jeans with nude heels, a light coloured top and a tailored jacket.
However if I wore said jean combo, ate a steak and was distracted by my steak baby all night I would go back in time and wear the other!
I like to hedge my bets if I’m not sure what “type” of date I’m going on – casual or dressy. A simple Mini dress with a Maxi overlay, one that shows a little leg but not enough to be uncomfortable. A few pieces of jewellery, and flat strappy sandals. A beautiful scarf that can dress up the ensemble if necessary, or coverup any accidental nervous spills.
I’m sending out the ‘Intelligent’ vibe before moving into something more flirty…
So it’s tailored pants, a smart 3/4 sleeve tunic-length top, ballet flats and something bold and chunky around my neck.
And a dazzling smile!
A good pair of running shoes in case the date goes bad!
I think it depends on the venue of the date. Once I had a date at a climbing facility and I wore a sporty girl look. But usually the feminine look suits me best and it let me feel comfortable and sexy.
Of course it depends on the scenario, but I think the Girl Next Door look is the most approachable, comfortable and relaxed option. I’d opt for something with a slightly plunging neckline to tease him with some skin, and I’d add a heel for height.
A bikini with a sarong, my first date coming up soon is at the beach.
I would definitely recommend a girly/feminine look to wear on a first date because guys like their girl to look what they are not all made up. Clothes should reflect what you are actually not what you are trying to be… 🙂
Definitely wear ill-fitting shoes. That’s what I did. You will know he is a keeper if he insists on carrying you so you don’t get blisters or trip over.
I like a pair of skinny black jeans, nude pumps and a top with a bit of zazzle! Sequins are great if worn right. Let your date see you shine!