What to Wear: First Date Tips for Women

by Online Dating on February 7, 2011

I’m so excited to kick off the first of a series! What to wear is often a stressful point for both men and women; my hope is to help ease the pain when choosing the perfect outfit. Let’s dive right in to a few tips for what to wear as a woman on a first date.

Dressing sexy doesn’t always mean dressing seductively

I’m going to get this one out of the way right now. Don’t dress sleazy! You’ll be treated like it. You can ooze sex by looking confident and expressing your personal style.

When it comes to showing skin, it’s a little like Goldilocks: Don’t show too much, or too little, but just the right amount. Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered that those who expose 40% skin are most attractive to guys. Wearing something a little low-cut? Put away the mini-skirt, and vice-versa. It’s all about balance.

Two good examples of sexy, understated outfits perfect for a first date:


Dress appropriately for the venue

This one should be common sense for not only dressing on a first date, but every day. If you’re heading to a baseball game, throw on a cute top or tee and a pair of jeans — you should be comfortable outdoors. On the other hand, if you’re going out for drinks, pick something less casual, yet appropriate for the bar you’re heading to.

Be comfortable

It’s said that beauty is pain, but forget about it! There’s enough to be stressed about on a first date. Make sure that you’re comfortable in whatever outfit you choose, whether it’s jeans or a skirt and heels.

The LBD

Ah, the Little Black Dress. If you’re stuck and need something more than jeans, the LBD is a fabulous, classy option for a first date. Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn with a sleek silhouette, comfortable heels and simple accessories.

Don’t wear too much makeup

There’s a time and a place for tons of makeup, and it’s rare that it doesn’t involve a tent, ringmaster, and a trapeze act. In all seriousness, a study by St. Ives revealed that one in five men wish their partner would tone down the makeup, while one in ten said they liked women who wear no makeup whatsoever. So, don’t suffocate your natural beauty with too much makeup! It’s one thing to cover up a zit, but it’s another to make yourself look like an entirely different person.

Trends

Don’t overdo it. You might dig harem pants in your off time, but a first date is not a time to wear these babies. You can incorporate tamer trends in moderation! For some current yet tasteful trends, a great cross-body satchel or a high waist flare jean will do wonders.

With these tips, it’s my hope that you’ll be less stressed — at least about what to wear — for your first date. Use them well and pass it on!

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[Images via various]

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  • http://www.onlinedating.org/what-to-wear-first-date-tips-guys/ What to Wear: First Date Tips for Men | Online Dating

    [...] this tip goes for women too, but hey, it applies here! It should be common sense to dress appropriately for the venue on a [...]

  • http://www.onlinedating.org/5-tips-for-preparing-for-the-first-date/ 5 Tips for Preparing for the First Date | Online Dating

    [...] Look your best. It should go without saying, but you need to look your best. If you’re a guy, get a haircut, preferably a week ahead of time. Ladies, do your thing ahead of time, too. Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed, and appropriate for the date setting. For tips, check out my What To Wear series — First Date Tips for Guys and First Date Tips for Women. [...]

  • Andra Randy

    I don’t want to sound catty or anything but I don’t really think the puppies were guilty for the guy’s assumption. He was simply a jackass. Wouldn’t be the first time a guy acts cool during the date itself and metamorphoses into your Dad’s worst nightmare at the end. Many guys go out with women just to find a fuc* buddy for the night…A real man wouldn’t demean a woman because she likes to show her assets. 

  • Katiemorgansky987

    I’ve been in long relationships (1-2 years or more) where I’ve slept with the guy on the first date.  It really depends on the people and I agree with Andra that her simply wearing a low-cut top wasn’t the reason.  He was just being a douchebag. 

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