Ties? On a date? In this day and age? It’s more likely than you think. In fact, wearing a tie on a date can transform a mundane occasion into something just a little more special. Are you interested in classing up your dates a notch? Still wondering what to wear to a date in the hopes of making an unforgettable impression? Read on to learn when ties are appropriate and necessary on a date.
You Mean I Have to Wear a Suit?
The short answer is: No, you don’t have to wear a suit. In fact, you can wear a tie with jeans, but we’d advise against wearing one with shorts. Ties, like all other kinds of menswear, come in a spectrum from casual to formal. For example, an outfit that would work like gangbusters to give just an added touch of class to a date would be some dark blue jeans, loafers, a plaid button-down shirt and a thin knit cloth tie. Throw on a blazer for a jacket and you’re good to go
You’re wearing a tie, but you’re still keeping it light and casual with jeans and a button-down. Get it?
Ok, So Where Can I Wear That Kind of Outfit?
Basically anywhere that you would wear a t-shirt and jeans on a date, but here’s the thing: You want to match her in terms of what she’s wearing. If she shows up in a t-shirt and jeans and you’re wearing what we just talked about, you might be oddly overdressed. So find out what she’s wearing, or better yet, tell her to wear something that’s a little dressy, but not too much so — a casual dress, for example. There are no one-size-fits-all answers to the questions of what to wear to a date. It all depends on the situation.
How Do I Know If I Need Something More Formal?
The next step up the ladder in terms of more formal is a more casual suit. This is the type of thing that you can get at Banana Republic or J Crew, for example. It’s sort of like they took your normal, every day slacks and made into a suit. This is great for a dinner out where you don’t want to get “all dressed up,” but you do want to make the evening a little special. The interesting thing here is, you don’t necessarily have to wear a tie to dress yourself up for such an occasion, though we do recommend it.
What Kinds of Dates Should I Wear Ties On?
This is really something that you need to play by ear, however, more active dates are certainly not going to be occasions for a tie, so if you’re taking her hiking or meeting up at the gym, obviously leave the tie at home. On the other hand, slightly active dates like a walk through the park or a round of miniature golf might be just the right occasion for the type of more casual attire we talked about above. Finally, dinners, art openings and more upscale clubs can be great places for casual suits and more formal ones.
If you’re still wondering what to wear to a date, the main thing you need to do is square away what you’re wearing with what she’s wearing, with the environment in mind. Put a little thought into it and you’re never going to make the wrong choice.
