The scene is not an unfamiliar one; the waiting, the nerves, the dreaded pre-date spillage. First dates are, for lack of a better term… awful. There is simply no avoiding it; anxiety is a two-way street and despite attempts to mask our anxiety with bravado, that initial meeting with a prospective sweetheart is one that strikes fear in the alpha-most of out gender.
This got me wondering, where does this entirely unnecessarily anxiety stem from? To me, a first date is very much akin to a job interview. First impressions are everything and are unredeemable- it must be made right.. but how? To paraphrase a famous playwright, ‘the suit is the thing!’ or something along those lines.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we’ve put together a collection of ‘First Date Fashion’ sure to guarantee that second meeting.
My first rule of Valentine Style, is for the more experimental of our readers.
Rule 1. Tone it down.
Call me an old romantic but, being an already daunting experience- I believe keeping it simple is key to a smooth date. To me, bolder prints and louder colours simply have no place over the dining table. A first date should be a semi-formal affair and as previously stated, is an already intimidating phenomenon without inviting a competitive element to the table. In short, you don’t want to look like you’re trying to ‘out-dress’ your date, keep the colours simple and let your personality add colour to the conversation- think fresh linen, not fresh prince, just for one night.
Rule 2. Layer it up.
Integral to getting the tone of a first date right is injecting character into a otherwise simplistic look and layering is a great way to do that. By wearing a formal shirt and exposing an undershirt, you can create a softened yet soave ensemble- by layering the same colour, a more formal look is maintained. The beauty of the formal shirt is how it accentuates an angular physique.
Tip: Asos.com has great shirts; clean, crisp, and a steal usually priced around £20
Alternatively, you can introduce colour into your look by working up from a simple black or white shirt with tans and other earthy tones, but once again, nothing garish.
In conclusion, smart casual is the dress code this Valentine’s day- its the one day when experimentalists are advised to tone it down. Keep the attire minimal and the conversation complex- and keep it at eye level lads!
