The best first date outfit is one notch smarter than your everyday clothes, fits well, suits the place you're going, and feels like you. Clean shoes, a color that flatters you, and nothing you'll fidget with all night. If you're unsure, try a few options on your photo before the day with ChangeMyFit and pick the one that looks most like the best version of you.
The rules that make any date outfit work
- Fit first. Well-fitting clothes look better and make you more confident than expensive ones that don't fit. (There's research behind this: see does dressing well make you more attractive?)
- One notch up. Dress slightly smarter than you would for that place with friends.
- Comfort matters. If you're tugging at a hem or limping in new shoes, it shows.
- Wear a color that suits you near your face. See what colors suit me.
- Look like yourself. A date is a preview of the real you. Don't wear a costume.
Outfits by type of date
Coffee or a daytime walk
Relaxed but put together. Good jeans, a clean T-shirt or knit, an overshirt or light jacket, clean sneakers or boots.
Drinks
Slightly sharper. Dark jeans or trousers, a shirt or a fitted top, a jacket you can take off, and a smarter shoe.
Dinner
Depends on the restaurant. For a nice place: tailored trousers or a dress, a blazer or a knit, and leather shoes or boots. Check how dressy the restaurant is first.
Active dates
Bowling, mini golf, hiking or ice skating call for practical clothes that still look good: fitted athletic-leaning pieces, a clean jacket, shoes you can move in.
Gallery, show or something cultural
A chance to show more personality: an interesting jacket, a pattern, a statement piece.
Test your outfit before the date
The night before is the worst time to find out an outfit doesn't work. Try options early:
- Add a selfie and your height to ChangeMyFit once.
- Make a fit called "Date".
- Drag in pieces from any shop, mixed with things like what you already own.
- Try two or three versions and compare them side by side.
Ordering something new? Seeing it on you first means no surprises when it arrives. More on that in how to try on clothes online.
Frequently asked questions
What should a guy wear on a first date?
Dark jeans or chinos, a well-fitting shirt, knit or clean T-shirt, a jacket, and clean shoes. Go a notch smarter for dinner.
What should a woman wear on a first date?
Something comfortable and a notch up from everyday: good jeans with a nice top and jacket, or a simple dress, with shoes you can walk in. Match it to the venue.
Should you dress up for a first date?
A little. Dressing one notch smarter than usual shows effort without looking like you're trying too hard.
How do I know if my date outfit looks good?
Try it on a photo of yourself in advance. ChangeMyFit lets you compare outfits side by side before you decide.