First impressions matter, especially when going on a first date. Your clothing choices say a lot about you and can either attract your date or turn them off. As a guy getting ready for a first date, you want to look stylish yet avoid anything too informal, inappropriate, or that makes you look like someone you’re not. Knowing what not to wear on a first date is just as important as choosing an impressive outfit. This article will provide helpful tips on wardrobe choices to avoid when trying to make a good first impression on a first date.
Avoid looking like a slob
While you don’t need to wear a suit and tie, you also don’t want to look like a slob on your first date. Steer clear of items that are wrinkled, stained, ripped, or ill-fitting. Specifically avoid:
| Wrinkled or stained shirt | Gives an unkempt impression |
| Shirts with holes, tears, or frayed hems | Looks sloppy and rushed |
| Pants that are too short or too long | Can look clownish |
| Dirty, scuffed shoes | Shows lack of attention to detail |
You want to look like you made an effort with your appearance, so press and tidy up your clothing. Make sure pieces fit properly and steer clear of anything with tears, stains, or excessive wear. Pay attention to details like clean, polished shoes.
Leave the athletic clothes in the gym
While athletic gear like gym shorts, sweatpants, and athletic shoes are appropriate for working out, they don’t give the best impression on a first date. Avoid showing up looking like you just left the gym. Specifically, do not wear:
| Sweatpants or gym shorts | Too casual and sloppy |
| Athletic shoes or sneakers | Too informal |
| Workout shirts or tank tops | Doesn’t look put-together |
You want to look like you made an effort, not like you just threw on whatever was handy. Leave the sneakers, sweatpants, athletic shorts, and tank tops for the gym. Opt for dark trousers, fitted jeans, button-down shirts, and casual dress shoes instead.
Skip the printed tees and jerseys
Graphic t-shirts with logos, jerseys, and other casual printed shirts are great for everyday wear but not the best choice for making a good first impression on a date. Steer clear of:
| T-shirts with logos or prints | Can look immature |
| Jerseys | Too casual |
| Shirts with distracting slogans | Cheesy or offensive |
These types of casual, graphic shirts are great for running errands but not ideal for a date. A logo tee, jersey, or printed shirt can make you appear younger than you are. Opt for a solid color button-down or polo shirt instead for a more mature yet casual look.
Avoid dressing like someone you’re not
While you want to look stylish, you also want to look and feel like yourself on a first date. Don’t choose clothing that makes you look like a different person or wear something just because it’s trendy if it’s not really your style. Specifically avoid:
| Ultra hipster or trendy outfits | Looks like a costume |
| Formal wear or business suits | Overdressed |
| Dressing like a certain celebrity or style icon | Not being genuine |
Don’t go overboard trying to dress like someone you’re not just to impress your date. This can come across as disingenuous. Stick to clothing in colors, patterns, and styles you genuinely like and feel reflect your personality. That way, you’ll feel confident and comfortable being yourself.
Steer clear of anything offensive, dirty, or inappropriate
When thinking about what not to wear, use common sense and avoid anything that is obviously offensive, provocative, dirty, or inappropriate. Specifically, do not wear:
| Shirts with profanity, sexual images, drug references | Immature or offensive |
| Clothing with racist, sexist, homophobic images/slogans | Offensive and insensitive |
| Clothing that is extremely dirty, stained, or damaged | Gives a bad impression |
| Clothing that is too revealing or provocative | Inappropriate |
Any clothing that distracts with offensive images, words, stains, rips, or amount of skin showing is a definite no. Choose clothing that shows respect for yourself, your date, and those around you.
Skip the excessive cologne
While you want to look your best, don’t overdo it on the cologne or aftershave. Too much fragrance can be overwhelming or give the impression you have something to hide. Avoid:
| More than 2-3 squirts of cologne or aftershave | Can be overpowering |
| Cologne with an overly strong or mature scent | Can be polarizing |
Apply cologne or aftershave lightly if at all. Choose clean, modern fragrances rather than anything overly bold. Let your natural scent shine through so your date can get to know the real you.
Check yourself in natural lighting
Before heading out for your date, check your look in natural sunlight or bright lighting. Certain colors and patterns can look drastically different under softer indoor lighting compared to daylight. Make sure nothing you’re wearing is unflattering, embarrassing, or inappropriate in brighter light. If so, change before leaving.
Conclusion
Avoiding wardrobe missteps is crucial to making a good first impression on a first date. Steer clear of clothing that is overly casual, athletic, sloppy, immature, offensive, or simply not your style. Stick to garments you feel confident and comfortable in so you can focus on connecting with your date, not your outfit. Use these tips to determine what not to wear and select a look that’s stylish yet genuine to you. Most importantly, dress to impress while staying true to yourself.
