Mens Style Tips - First Date Fashion

Every guy knows that the first date is a crucial event. A single evening with your date can spell the start of a new relationship or seal the fate of one that's yet to begin. Everything from dinner reservations to the cocktails has to be perfect. And to fit in with the rest of the evening, you have to make sure that you're presentable yourself.

Suit the Plan
First things first: check the itinerary. What you're wearing should always be just right for wherever it is you're going. The appropriate outfit for a beach campfire is very different from the one you should wear to a fancy dinner at a five-star restaurant.

One good rule of thumb is to dress in proportion to how much you expect to spend. Low-cost outings like picnics or a quick run to the nearby fast food joint should thus be paired with a tee or a shirt paired with comfy jeans. On the other end of the scale are the operas and hotel restaurants that call for a a good suit, if not a tux.

Low-Price Love Affairs
Not that there's anything wrong with scrimping on the first date; it's just that many guys aren't aware of how to dress properly for the occasion. Just because she agreed to go out with you to a McDonald's doesn't give you the license to wear a ripped up tee and jeans from last week. Dare to do that and you'll be killing the chances of a second evening.

A clean, plain tee paired with comfortable light wash denims work best for casual nights out. Graphic tees can work just as well, but derogatory statement tees and overly busy designs are off-limits. Solid colored tees are easier to work with and are thus a safer pick. Finish off the look with some not-too-worn-out sneakers or a pair of loafers.

Mid-Range Arrangements
Fancier dates like dinner at a sit-down restaurant or snacks at an outdoor bistro will have to be more formal. Although the mid-range date budget encompasses a fairly wide field, you have two 'safe' options that you can consider.

Polos, chinos and a clean pair of loafers were once de rigeur for the preppy set, and now they're equally as standard for singles on the dating market. The combination is clean and crisp, particularly suited for warmer weather and daytime dates like a lunch out or an afternoon at the beach.

Those who date in the evenings will want to don a shirt, a pair of slacks and lace-ups for that after-work dashing look. Remember to leave the tie and the jacket in the car, else you'll be making your date feel underdressed. Roll up the sleeves and leave the top button open to make you appear more at ease and approachable.

Expensive Evenings
Any place that charges you more than $50 per head is sure to have a dress code posted at the door, so make sure you take note of that before coming in. Typically, though, a good suit and a clean shirt will get you into most places. The safest combination of all, the suit paired with a solid colored shirt is good for venues with three or more stars to their name. And make sure you don't forget your tie.

Some places, however, are a little more lax with the rules. Restaurants aimed at younger, hipper crowds will allow you in with just a sport jacket and dark jeans. The rule here is to always have a dark-colored sport jacket handy and get your darkest denims washed right before a first date.

Keep in mind that your date is probably as nervous and apprehensive as you are, reading all the signs and taking note of all the clues. If you're interested in there being a Round 2, it's the impressions you make on this first date that will count a lot.