Do you ever go out and feel a little… underdressed? It’s not that you think you should have worn a suit and tie. It’s just that you think there’s something missing from what you wore out for the night. You want to dress to impress, whether you’re making the town or if you’re heading out for a first date. The good news is that dressing to impress is probably a lot simpler than you’re making it out to be. Here’s how.
First Things First: Get Groomed
It doesn’t matter if it’s a first date or a night on the town: grooming is important. You should be seeing your barber at least once every six weeks. Showers are a must every day, but washing your hair is something you only need to do 2-3 times a week, depending on what your hair is like. You also need to keep your facial hair groomed, whether that’s a close shave or just trimming the mountain man beard before you head out for the night.
What To Wear on a Date
The issue of what to wear on a date is pretty open-ended. It’s a good idea to rock a collared shirt, though a night out at a bar or club can be more casual, depending on the overall ambiance. The two biggest factors here are that your clothes need to be clean and they need to fit properly. The most common mistake we see men making is wearing clothes that don’t fit them properly. Ill-fitting clothes look sloppy and are a no-no. Darker jeans are dressier than lighter-colored jeans. Any accessories you rock need to add to your outfit rather than take away from it.
What Not To Wear
Now that we’ve explored some ideas for what to wear on a date, let’s look at the other side of the coin. Anything dirty or damaged is a definite no-no, as are clothes that don’t fit you for the reasons we explained above. The biggest rule here is that if you don’t feel comfortable in something, or if you feel like something isn’t quite “you,” it’s best to go with something else. You’ll know almost instantly when you put something on if it isn’t a good fit. You’ll have that feeling in your gut that this just isn’t right for the occasion.
When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a pair of dark jeans and a crisp white or light blue shirt. Your belt should match your shoes. A blazer can dress that up for a date. Sneakers are generally to be avoided, especially sneakers of the “running shoes” variety. Instead, invest in a nice pair of dress shoes that are casual enough to be worn just about anywhere.
A Word on Scent
At The Art of Charm, we consider your scent as much a part of your outfit as your pants or shirt. You should pick a scent that’s distinctive — body sprays aren’t bad per se, the problem is that they have you smelling like every other guy at the club. Instead, look for a good cologne that you think matches your personality and the image that you want to impart on people. Don’t use too much, though: Cologne should only be smelled when someone is standing right next to you.
