Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

Dappered Classics: How to get dressed for a date

August 20, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

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?
    .
  • 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.
    .
  • Don’t be afraid of a little color – But not a ton.  This is neither the circus, nor a funeral.
    .
  • 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.
    .
  • Take a warm, not super-hot shower – You don’t want to start the night feeling over-heated.
    .
  • Use less hair product – Your instinct will be to over do it.
    .
  • 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.
    .
  • 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.
    .
  • Wear a clean, sleek watch – Nothin’ fussy, nothin’ huge.  Err on the side of dressed up.  This’ll work.
    .
  • 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

Filed Under: Accessories, Clothing, Dappered Classics, Drink, Grooming, Watches, Women Tagged With: dating, how to get dressed for a date, relationships, style guide, what to wear on a date

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer

How to Sweat Less – 10 Tips for a Stylish and less Sweaty Summer

Sweat less while dressed to impress.

The Dappered Space: One Room, One Store – Target

The Dappered Space: One Room, One Store – Target

Create an entryway that welcomes both you and your guests to a styled space.

In Review: On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneakers

In Review: On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneakers

In person with On Running’s less-toothy, classic casual tennis sneaker.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Kornacki Khakis for $33, Bonobos Throwback Trunks are back, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – The $49 Garment Duffle, $15 off $100 at Madewell, & More
  • Steal Alert: Old Navy $16.99 Tech Shorts, $9.99 Tech Polos one-day-sale
  • In Review: On The Roger Advantage Tennis Sneakers
  • In Review (and win it): The Q Timex GMT
  • Double Time: The Affordable Two Watch Collection – Under $300

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2022 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.