It’s Dating Time

How to Dress on a

Date???

Wear what you feel comfortable

The most important thing to keep in mind when dressing for a date is to wear what you're comfortable in. There's no point in wearing four-

inch stilettoes if you're hardly able to stand, much less walk in them.

The same thing applies to the guys as well; don't get all suited up if you

hate wearing suits.

Dress nicely

Dressing nicely doesn't mean you can't be relaxed and comfortable. The main reason you dress up a little (or a lot, depending on the date itself) is so your date will

know and appreciate that you've made the effort for him/her.

Another good reason is so that you don't appear to be a slob. Its just not a good look. This includes the seemingly ever-present thong/g-

string above jeans/trousers. I don't care that celebrities do it. They too

get panned by the gossip magazines when they appear in public in such a manner so you know its just not the

way to go.

Dress appropriately

If you can, always find out where the meeting will take place. The majority

of places will be alright with just jeans/trousers for both men and

women or even a casual skirt/dress for the women. If you do plan on meeting

at a slightly dressier venue, a long-sleeved collared shirt is a safe bet

with jeans or trousers for men and the women should be able to get away

with a skirt/trousers with a pretty top or a dress with good accessories.

Fashion today has come a long way so even jeans can be worn to dressier affairs. Just dress

them up a little with a glam or sparkly top, killer shoes, a great

handbag and accessories.

Don't over-do it

Over-dressing is as bad as under-dressing, if not worse. With men, its

harder to over-dress than with women. I doubt there are many men

ho would willingly always wear a three-piece suit when going on a

date, unless its a business meeting (and definitely not date-worthy) or a

very formal show/dinner. With women however, there is a tendency

to go overboard with clothes, accessories and makeup.

Unless you're off to the casino or a Mardi Gras, is a safe bet that your

gorgeous sequin cocktail number is out of the question. especially when

you decide to pair it off with earrings, bracelets, rings and necklaces. For something that glitzy, stick to a simple pair of

earrings and maybe a bracelet/bangle. The same goes

when you're wearing a sparkly top. you want your date to see you, not

to be overwhelmed by all that bling.

Letting it all hang out

To sum up that statement in one word; DON'T. I know when the

weather's nice and warm that its all too tempting to wear that thigh-

skimming mini with an itsy-bitsy top and skyscraper heels. But please

refrain from doing so. All that outfit screams is "easy". And that's not what you want your date to think. Unless of course it is, in which case you may as

well ignore this paragraph.

When it comes to legs, breasts, stomach and back, stick to just

showing off one, or at the most two, of these. Any more than that is

over-kill. If you have a date at the beach then this rule is moot point. As for the men, the buttons are on your shirt for a reason, the ladies don't want to see halfway down to your belly-button. Neither do they

want a view of your entire chest and stomach through a transparent

shirt.

Too much makeup

This one applies mostly to the ladies. You know how you're

shopping and you find this amazing dress/top/skirt/etc. and it's got

streaks of makeup from someone else who had previously tried it

on? Now think about how the men feel when they find streaks of

foundation on their shirts. okay, so you can wash it off easily. But

that's not the point.

The idea that the girl had been wearing that much makeup is a turn

off for most guys. Not to mention how the lady in question actually

looks when her face is caked in such a fashion. Yes, it is noticeable. But

other than not using so much foundation and powder, you have to also keep the rest of it simple. You either highlight your eyes or your lips, not both. The whole Marilyn

Manson/drag queen look will not win you any favours.

Wear the right shoes

You'd think this is an obvious one but surprisingly, it isn't. I don't just mean the right shoe for the

occasion, though that is very important. I mean the shoe that

suits your shape and what you're wearing. For the men, you can

generally get away with a loafer or sneakers if you're wearing

jeans.

If you've got on trousers, just stick to a pair of loafers or even

dressier shoes if you're somewhere a little more up-

market. Day-time footwear can be more casual, try a nice pair of

sandals or flip-flops. Leather ones look especially good with light-

coloured cotton or linen trousers.

Women have a wider choice when it comes to shoes. First of all,

wear shoes that suit your figure. If you have slighter shorter legs,

don't go wearing sandals with ankle-straps. They will only 'cut' your legs, making them look a lot shorter and chunkier than they are. The same applies to wrap-

around sandal-laces. This sort of shape also looks best with a shoe

that has a bit of a heel.

Even if you're off to the beach, choose one those thongs with the slight kitten heel. Its low enough to be practical but still flattering. For the taller women, you can get away with nearly everything. Just keep in mind that your centre of

gravity is a lot higher up with high heels.

As for the occasions, save the bejeweled sandals for a night out on the town. If you're a bit of a

'Carrie' dresser then carefully pair you girly and sparkly sandals with a more laid back day outfit. It can work but just keep in mind that

the day time isn't when you should go over-the-top.

It goes without saying that you don't want too much height in

your shoes if you're going to the beach or if you're going to be

walking a lot. Painful feet do not, a great date make. And no grotty thongs or sneakers when you're dressed to party. You can never look right if your shoes are all

wrong.

Have a good posture

I know this may have nothing to do with the clothes you wear but it is important to always have a good

posture. Stand up straight with your shoulders back, tummy and butt

tucked in. Not only is this good for you from a health perspective, it

also makes you look taller, slimmer and more confident. Plus your

clothes will also look a lot better on you.

Dating Fashion Dos and Don’ts to Always

Remember

Here are a few fashion tips you should always abide by when going

on a date:

1.Have clean, nicely manicured hands, well-groomed facial

hair, and a clean haircut. Personal

hygiene, self-respect and ability

to take care of yourself is important.

2. Wear clothes that fit and

flatter you, avoid anything too

baggy (it could make you look fat or frumpy) and stay away from anything

too tight or restricting.

3. Dress appropriately for the occasion, stay

away from tank tops and sandals (even if it is your usual style) if you and your date are

attending a dinner party

And here are some things you should avoid when

dressing to impress on a first date:

1. Don’t wear brand new shoes or an outfit you

are not comfortable in as new shoes have the potential to really hurt your

feet

if they are not broken in

properly and, if you are

continually adjusting your tie or collar because

you are not comfortable in a suit, you will turn

off your date.

2. Avoid heavy make-up and outrageous outfits, they

take away from who you really are and your

natural beauty.

3. Don’t try to be too trendy; you may not be able to pull it off. If

you want to experiment with your look, do it before the date

and get feedback as to whether or

not the look works for you.

Tips to Impress

your Date

1. Learn to look your best.

2. Be subtle – Less is more.

3. Always dress for a first date in clothing that is both neat and

clean. But don’t assume you need new clothes.

4. Be comfortable.5. Look like yourself.6. Bring A Sweater.

7. Practice sitting down.8. Have a confidence.

Different Kinds of Dates &What To

Wear

THE DAYTIME DATE

This can mean a lot of things: brunch, a picnic, a museum, an

outdoor concert, a daytime movie, coffee...you know the drill. These dates tend to be

cheap and casual, so the idea is to dress as you would normally - except you happen, normally,

to look completely awesome and effortless. Always pack

that sweater — movie theatres are cold.

THE DINNER DATE

First things first: do your due diligence. Find out how fancy the

restaurant is. Being underdressed is always preferable to being overly

fancy, but it's not wrong to make an effort. If you'll be coming from work — and if this means your date will

be in a suit — take this into account.If you’re wearing jeans, wear a heel or a hunk of jewelry. If you’re going

with a dress, make it casual or throw on flats or a low-key jacket,

denim or whatnot.

For dinner dates, as a rule, avoid sneakers. Carry a grown-

up purse. Don't wear silk, unless you're a really neat

eater. Make sure your clothes allow you to eat. And here,

more than anywhere else, do the sit-down test. I cannot

stress this enough. The cleavage is totally different than when you're standing.

Once again, carry a sweater: you might get stuck with the

door table.

The Active Date

This is when, yes, you're probably going to need jeans. And comfy shoes. Gym glass-

style, avoid dangly jewelry. But there is no need for looking like a schlep: keep things relatively fitted (as opposed to tight) and bring on the patterns. You want

a bag that'll go over your shoulder and things that don't need to be dry-cleaned. And

hair out of your face.

The Fancy Date

Mix basics with contrasting shoes, or a bag. This looks confident and fashiony and

people will assume you know what you're doing. Also, this will allow you to err on the

side of slightly-underdressed which is, as we know, better than the alternative. A belt

can do wonders. As can something in one's hair.

The Group Date

This can be any number of things, from a bash at someone's house to a dinner party. Either way, it involves meeting people you don't know, who could be arch-hipsters or fashionistas

or jerks or awesome or all of the above. There's really no one formula

for these profoundly stressful situations: the advice is be yourself, amped up. I advocate a balance of

smart and casual, and that I personally go for a print dress, black tights, and some easy jacket. Just be

the you that you want to be. You should feel good. Wear what you feel

is comfortable.

To conclude, when you dress for To conclude, when you dress for a first date make sure you don’t a first date make sure you don’t under or overdo it. Always dress under or overdo it. Always dress in clothes that are neat, clean in clothes that are neat, clean

and ironed. and ironed.

A first date is a time to get to A first date is a time to get to know the object of your affection know the object of your affection

and to establish a solid and to establish a solid relationship based on mutual relationship based on mutual

respect so don’t get too tied up respect so don’t get too tied up in what you are wearing but do in what you are wearing but do make sure you create a lasting make sure you create a lasting

impression! impression!