Going on a first date can be nerve-wracking. You want to make a good impression and look your best. At the same time, overdressing for a casual date can make things awkward. Knowing what to avoid wearing will help you pick an outfit that is both stylish and appropriate.
Consider the venue
The first rule of thumb when deciding what to wear on a casual date is to consider the venue. Your date venue often dictates the dress code. Here are some common casual date spots and what not to wear:
| Venue | What Not to Wear |
|---|---|
| Coffee shop | Evening gowns, heels, heavy makeup |
| Casual restaurant | Cocktail dresses, gowns, tuxedos |
| Movie theater | Anything too dressy or uncomfortable for sitting |
| Arcade or mini golf | Delicate fabrics, skirts, heels |
| Art museum | Ripped jeans, graphic tees, athletic wear |
| Concert | Formal wear |
As you can see, overdressing is one of the biggest date outfit mistakes. Save gowns and suits for formal events. Stick to smart casual wear that suits the date activity.
Steer clear of inappropriate attire
Certain items are never appropriate on a first date, regardless of the dress code. Stay away from:
- See-through fabrics
- Mini skirts and micro mini dresses
- Low cut tops with plunging necklines
- Crop tops that expose the midriff
- Daisy duke cutoffs or ripped jeans with lots of skin showing
- Leggings or yoga pants (unless exercising)
- Baggy sweatpants or athletic shorts
- Dirty, wrinkled, or torn clothing
- Costumes or cosplay outfits
- Bathing suits
- Pajamas or sleepwear
- Sheer tights instead of pants
- Shorts, rompers, or skirts shorter than mid-thigh
- Loose, ill-fitting, or sloppy clothing
- Clothes with offensive language or images
- Flip flops or pool slides
- Dirty shoes or obvious wear and tear
- Underwear as outerwear
- Overpowering perfume or cologne
The above items are too revealing, sloppy, or casual for a date. You want to look stylish and put-together, not provocative or like you just rolled out of bed.
Skip the overdone makeup and hair
Glamorous hair and makeup have no place on a casual date either. Avoid:
- Heavy makeup (dark smokey eyes, contoured cheeks, matte red lips)
- Thick false lashes
- Overly done hair (elaborate up-dos, voluminous curls)
- Costume wigs or hairpieces
- Colored contact lenses
- Temporary tattoos
- Glitter makeup
- Dramatic nails (stiletto, claw, extremely long)
The goal is to look polished and natural, not red-carpet ready. Save the dramatic looks for Halloween. Stick to neutral eyes, groomed brows, subtle lip color, and simple hairstyles.
Pick the right fabrics and fits
Fabric choice and fit can make or break a first date outfit. Some guidelines:
- Avoid cheap-looking fabrics like vinyl, pleather, and metallic lame.
- Skip fabrics that are too casual like sweatshirt material, jersey, and terrycloth.
- Stay away from anything too loud like neon colors, wild prints, and distracting embellishments.
- Make sure clothes aren’t too tight, clingy, or revealing.
- Don’t wear anything too loose, baggy, or oversized.
- Pick breathable natural fabrics good for everyday wear like cotton, linen, ponte, twill, denim, etc.
- Make sure clothes are wrinkle-free and not pilling or worn.
- Avoid fabrics that wrinkle easily.
Quality fabrics that fit properly will always look sharper than poor quality, ill-fitting items. Pay attention to the fabric content and fit when shopping for date outfits.
Skip loud logos and distracting prints
A first date outfit should never upstage you. Avoid these attention-grabbing patterns and embellishments:
- Clothes covered in slogans, quotes, song lyrics, etc.
- Oversized logos
- Camouflage prints
- Animal prints
- Tie dye
- Loud Hawaiian prints
- Glittery or sparkly embellishments
- Neon colors
- Distressed & pre-ripped details
- Oversized shoulder pads
- Sequins or rhinestones
It’s fine to have some subtle patterns and details, but anything loud and attention-grabbing is too much for a first date. Keep prints simple so your date can focus on getting to know you, not your outfit.
Avoid clothes with the wrong vibe
Some clothes give off the wrong mood for a first date. Steer clear of anything:
- Too formal like gowns, tuxes, suits, etc.
- Too businesslike – pantsuits, blazers, etc.
- Too casual – gym clothes, sweats, pajamas, etc.
- Too revealing – crop tops, mini skirts, sheer fabrics, plunging necklines, etc.
- Too edgy – leather, skull motifs, spikes, chains, etc.
- Too Bohemian – peasant blouses, fringe, headscarves, etc.
- Too vacation-y – Hawaiian shirts, flip flops, etc.
- Too costume-y – Renaissance faire outfits, anime costumes, etc.
The vibe you want is smart casual. Pick an outfit that says “I made an effort and I care about this date.”
Don’t overaccessorize
Jewelry, scarves, hats, and other accessories can complement a first date outfit. But take care not to go overboard. Avoid:
- Too much jewelry – more than 2 statement pieces
- Choker necklaces
- Large hoop or dangling earrings
- Bracelets that jangle and make noise
- Too many rings – no more than 3 per hand
- Oversized purses or bags
- Scarves that cover too much (just necklines, not head)
- Hats unless part of religious garb
- Anything distracting that pulls focus
The goal is a simple, streamlined look. Skip loud, noisy, oversized accessories. Let your outfit enhance your look rather than take over.
Pick comfortable shoes
Shoes are one of the most important parts of any first date outfit. Remember these tips:
- Skip sky-high stilettos or wobbly platforms.
- Avoid noisy flip flops.
- Don’t wear beat up sneakers or shoes with holes.
- Make sure heels are 2 inches or shorter.
- Pick leather flats, low wedges, loafers, or nice sneakers based on the date activity.
- If wearing sandals or open-toe shoes, make sure feet and toes are groomed – no chipped polish or ragged cuticles.
- Wear clean, polished shoes in good condition.
Comfortable, attractive footwear polishes off any date outfit. Take care of your feet!
Check colors and patterns
Color and pattern pairing is key for a winning date outfit. Follow these guidelines:
- Match metals and leathers (gold jewelry with camel shoes, silver with black).
- Make sure patterns aren’t overwhelming next to solids.
- Avoid mixing loud patterns like florals with polka dots.
- Opt for complementary colors like navy and burgundy rather than clashing shades.
- Pair bright colors with neutrals to balance the look.
- If wearing all one color, vary the shades and tones.
- Skip color combinations that are harsh like fluorescent orange and hot pink.
With colors and patterns, opposites rarely attract. Choose harmonious pairings for the most polished look.
Check yourself before heading out
Before walking out the door for your date, do a final once-over:
- Make sure your outfit is clean, pressed, and free of pet hair or lint.
- Check for loose buttons, torn hems, and loose threads. Make minor repairs if needed.
- Look in a full-length mirror to ensure your outfit looks flattering from all angles.
- Sit down and cross your legs to test for modesty and comfort.
- Check yourself from behind to ensure your top and undergarments don’t show.
- Give your outfit a smell test – skip scented products if meeting at a restaurant.
- Check your makeup in natural light to make sure it’s not overdone.
- Remove price and care tags from new clothes.
- Grab breath mints and lip balm for your purse or wallet.
Those last minute checks will give you confidence and peace of mind on your date!
Conclusion
Dressing for a casual first date is all about striking the right balance. You want to look attractive and put-together without appearing overdressed. Steer clear of items that are too revealing, sloppy, attention-seeking, or uncomfortable. The right fabrics, fits, proportions, and accessories can take any outfit from drab to fab. Most importantly, dress to suit the date activity so you feel confident and relaxed. Focus on making a great first impression by simply being your stylish, genuine self.
