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Dappered Classics: How to get dressed for a date

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Getting Dressed for a Date – A guide for going out

Originally published 1/28/11  Above photo credit: derekskey

Don’t over think this.  Especially if you’re early on in a relationship.  I’m about to say/write something that’ll at first come off sounding abhorrent, but in context, it’s not.  Women in one sense are like dogs.  They can smell fear.  So if you’re nervous/jittery/questioning your look/etc… you won’t be yourself, she’ll notice, and you’ll be fighting an uphill battle all night.  With that, here’s a few suggestions to keep you looking, but most importantly feeling your best. .

  • Be done and ready 30 minutes before you need to leave – Relax.  Read a magazine.  Or this website?
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  • Match your date’s LEVEL of dress – If she’s in a cocktail dress, try not to be in  jeans.  Use the usual patrons of the destination as a guide if you don’t know what she’ll be wearing.
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  • Don’t be afraid of a little color – But not a ton.  This is neither the circus, nor a funeral.
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  • Don’t match your date’s outfit color for color – This seems to happen a lot if you’re married.  Either my wife or I will almost always be changing something to avoid the twinseys look.
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  • Take a warm, not super-hot shower – You don’t want to start the night feeling over-heated.
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  • Use less hair product – Your instinct will be to over do it.
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  • Use less or no cologne – Are you a habitual cologne wearer?  Use half of what you normally wear.  Some women have a nose for it.  Wear cologne every once in awhile?  Don’t even use it this time.
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  • Use a touch of antiperspirant, not just deodorant – No wet pits tonight.  Just one swipe under each arm with antiperspirant, and then apply your usual deodorant like you normally do.
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  • Wear a clean, sleek watch – Nothin’ fussy, nothin’ huge.  Err on the side of dressed up.  This’ll work.
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  • Wear a well tailored jacket.  Even with jeans – The Old Navy twill blazer is back, in black, and after you get it majorly darted in at the sides, you’ll look light-years ahead of all the other untucked shirt wearing dudes downtown.

What else?  Other suggestions go in the comments section below.  And again, you need to get this thing tailored:

Old Navy at ShopStyle

Comments

  1. “Women in one sense are like dogs. They can smell fear.”

    Hahaha! So are men! Ever been on a date with a nervous, unconfident lady?

  3. My thoughts:
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    Take a warm, not super-hot shower – a hot shower also dries out your skin and scalp, which isn’t sexy.
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    Use a touch of antiperspirant, not just deodorant – There’s no need for cologne, antiperspirant, and deodorant. Antiperspirant and deodorant usually have fragrances and you don’t want to mix a bunch of scents. Use one thing with a bit of fragrance if you want, and one thing to keep yourself from stinking. Baking soda works well. If you’re prone to big sweat puddles, some antiperspirant is fine.

  4. Yes. My first date with my now-fiancee was PAINFUL. I think she ate only two bites of her salad the whole meal. She came around after a few dates, though.

  6. Remember, it is always better to be overdressed than understaffed. So your first date should always be in a tuxedo.

  8. Interesting tip, don’t match your date color for color. OK.. Be ready 30 min. before the date. Good. Well I don’t know about your dates/wives, but mine will be picking out her outfit about 7 minutes before we have to leave the house.