First dates can be exciting, nerve wracking and above all a lot of fun, if you allow yourself to relax and enjoy them. One of the best bits can be getting ready for it; the anticipation of how it will go - will you get on or will it be a total flop! Either way it’s spending time getting to know someone new and that can only be a good thing can’t it?!

With studies showing that image and body language is 55% of what matters most in first impressions, (38% is your voice, how you speak, and 7% is what you actually say) it is really important to be feeling comfortable in what you are wearing, confident that you look your best and that you are conveying the real you. Until we really know someone we can only judge them by how they come across and a big part of that is through their image.

So what to wear......?

Feeling comfortable v making an effort

You need to get the balance between making an effort and feeling comfortable. It’s important to feel comfortable so you are not distracted by hurting feet, pulling skirts or tops down but at the same time you want to look like you have made an effort, heels are always a winner for dates as they lengthen and slim your figure, plus wearing them gives you that extra boost of confidence and sexiness. However don’t go for totally over the top ones that will cripple you in seconds. However if heels just are not you then don’t wear them, the most important thing is to be yourself.


For men make sure you are well groomed, your clothes are clean and you are clean! This might sound very obvious but turning up to meeting someone for the first time with bad breath and crumpled clothes isn’t going to be much of a turn on!

For women take some time to pamper yourself before a date, make a bit of effort with your hair and makeup. If you are really worried about the date then plan your outfit, give it a trial run before hand to see how you feel wearing it. You don’t want to go over board and turn up like a dogs dinner but you want your date to feel like you cared enough to make a bit of an effort. All this adds to your own self confidence anyway, if you have made some effort and know you look your best you will feel great.

Show your true personality through your clothes

Wear clothes that you feel like yourself in, that show the real you. There are all sorts of ways of doing this using colours, styles and make up. Have a think about your key personality traits that you would like someone to know about you and then take some time to consider how you can express this through what you wear. Here are a few examples:

Classic – timeless, smart, quality, stylish, suitable for every occasion. Tailoring, structure, neutral colours, business look.
Romantic – feeling feminine, girly, romantic, frills, bows, pretty floaty dresses, intricate jewellery
Natural – feeling comfortable, relaxed, wearing natural fibres, neutral colours, little no makeup, minimal jewellery
Sporty – feeling practical, not prepared to sacrifice your comfort with the latest trends. Trainers, never skirts, uni-sex styles, jeans, jumpers.
Dramatic – wanting to make a statement, high fashion or just very individualised look, strong colours, statement clothing, over sized patterns, interesting pieces.

Enhance your best bits

Take some time to consider what your best bits are for example are they your; eyes, your bust, your bum, your legs, your stomach etc? Then think how you can show that off. It’s a waste of time and energy worrying about the bit’s you don’t like (plus it won’t make you feel very good about yourself) instead focus on how to enhance the great bits about you.

You can usual visual tricks to lengthen and slim any area by having uninterrupted vertical lines on that part. Horizontal lines will widen and shorten an area. For example if you have short legs then don’t have anything cutting across them like the hem of a top, end of a coat, short trousers, ankle straps and so on. Wear trousers or jeans slightly too long for you with heels and that will instantly lengthen and slim your legs! For men with shorter legs go for slightly higher waisted trousers and shorter jacket lengths. Women, if you are worried about your tummy but have a great bust then wear low necklines drawing attention to your bust, tops that cut in under your bust where your slim part is and then fabric that skims over your tummy detracting attention away from it. Never have any belts or layers that cut across the widest bit of your tummy as it will make it look bigger.

Once you are dressed to impress get out there, enjoy yourself..........and remember it is just a date – have some fun!!!#