There’s nothing like the dopamine rush of scoring a first date with your crush. But now that you’ve done the easy part (yes, that was the easy part), now it’s time to turn your charm on and give a good first impression. While putting your best self forward is the key to a successful date, physical appearance matters A LOT when it comes to first impressions.
When you first meet someone, your brain tends to zero in on a few specific traits, like how they dress, their smile, and overall appearance. That’s when you can get a general idea of who they are as a person. So yes, finding a good first date outfit that showcases your personality that also gives you a sense of style is important. But, if you have zero idea where to start, we’ve rounded up several outfit options for different kinds of dates to help you get started.
Bar Date
A date that takes place in the evening usually means you’ll wanna put more effort into your look, but if you’re going out for a casual bar date, it’s best to keep things simple, but effortlessly stylish. For this, we recommend wearing a loose fit button up shirt with some loose pants with are relaxed fit. Pair it with some loafers and nice socks and you’re done. You can also accessorise with some rings and some layered necklaces. Just make sure you smell extra nice! (Read this for some perfume recommendations for men that aren’t BASIC.)
Coffee Date
If you and your date are both caffeine junkies, then a coffee date would definitely make a great first date. And if you’re going to one of those authentically pleasing and Instagrammable cafes, you’ll need to dress the part! For this, we’re thinking out of the box, but still keeping things neutral. Open vests are a great option as they give more depth to the outfit without being too ‘flashy’. Layer it over a plain t-shirt with some tapered pants and some nice sneakers (NOT running shoes) and your outfit is complete.
Movie Date
You know that moment when the girl gets cold in the cinema, so you lend her your jacket or sweater that you just so happen to be carrying around? Yep, this is the outfit for that. Since you’re going to the cinema, you’ll probably wanna wear something that’s comfy and casual. Wear a sweater over a t-shirt so when you get the chance to lend your date a sweater, you can just take off the outer layer of your fit. As for pants, you can either go for some laid back sweatpants or some cargos. Try to match your choice of sneaker with your top half, so your outfit still looks somehow coordinated.
Amusement Park Date
Amusement parks are fun, so make sure your outfit goes with your environment! Since you’re probably gonna be under the sun, your outfit should be light and breezy. We would opt for tank tops, since you can layer them with some button up shirts (plus no pit stains!). For the outer shirt, definitely go for something with colour and matches with your shoe. Say you have a pair of Green Nike Dunks, then you’ll wanna wear clothing with some elements of green or earth tones. As for the pants, while you can definitely go for some breezy loose pants, you can also just go for a classic pair of jeans (except for skinny jeans).
Picnic Date
While you worry about what to bring to a picnic, we got just the right outfit for your romantic day out. We don’t usually encourage shorts on the first date, but this one’s an exception. For this, we would go for hollow lace button ups worn over a tank top, with a pair of cotton shorts paired with a cap. The ideal fit for hot Malaysian weather, it’s time to impress your date with your impeccable style! You can even accessorise with a colourful bead necklace to bring some colour into your look.
Art Gallery/Museum Date
Time to bring your artsy side out! The easiest way to look sophisticated and artsy is by wearing light coloured pants, even better if they come in interesting textures, prints, or intricate details. You can either opt for a colourful outer layer with a plain tee, or you can go full-on Steve Jobs and wear a black mock turtleneck top. Either way, you and your date will be looking like a couple of sophisticated people admiring some sophisticated art.
