First Impressions Matter To Women
Women all have personal tastes as to what they find attractive for men to wear on dates, but it's safe to say they can more or less agree on what's unattractive. Certain clothing choices can really turn a woman away if they feel overly casual, distracting, show no effort, or don't match the location. Here are just 20 clothes you might want to avoid as a man if you want your date to run smoothly.
1. Dirty or Heavily Worn Sneakers
Sneakers might not seem like a big deal when looking at a whole outfit, but they can really make or break your look. A lot of men might opt for something comfortable they usually wear out of habit, but showing up to a date with visibly dirty, worn-out shoes isn't the most attractive.
2. Oversized Graphic T-Shirts
For casual dates, a graphic tee that's respectful and appropriate can show your personality and highlight something you love, but opting for one that's overly baggy makes it look more careless than intended. Women much prefer one that's at the very least nice-fitting and has a clean design.
3. Cargo Shorts With Too Many Pockets
Cargo shorts are practical, but not necessarily nice for a date. Not to mention, heavily pocketed versions often look bulky and awkward, creating an overly casual appearance better suited to running errands than meeting someone for dinner.
4. Deep V-Neck Shirts
Modest V-necks can be flattering, especially when it's well-fited and in a complementary color, but extremely low necklines work against you. Instead of looking stylish, they're much more distracting and can make you come off as a show-off.
5. Wrinkled Button-Down Shirts
Button-down shirts are always a nice, reliable date choice, but only if it looks clean and presentable, not like it just came directly from a laundry basket. Heavy wrinkles show up clearly on formal wear, which makes you seem more sloppy and rushed than what you wanted to go for.
6. Athletic Shorts
Unless your date is at the gym or requires physical activity, wearing athletic shorts to a dinner or drinks date just looks like you didn't put in any effort. It's not the kind of thing you'd regularly wear for a night out, so why would you do it for a date when you're trying to impress someone?
7. Jeans That Are Excessively Baggy
Skinny jeans might have run its course, but that doesn't mean your jeans need to be so baggy that they make you look shapeless and leave your date wondering if they're going to completely fall off. Baggy jeans just tend to make your entire outfit look less refined and put-together.
8. Jeans That Are Too Tight
On the complete other end of the spectrum, wearing jeans that look painfully tight don't do you any favors either. Not only does it look uncomfortable and unattractive, but if you're unable to sit or move well, your date's definitely going to notice.
9. Flip Flops
Unless you're at the beach or pool, flip flops just don't cut it for a date, especially if you're dining indoors at a nicer spot. It makes your outfit seem rushed and inappropriate for the venue, which might make you appear immature. Footwear always needs to match the occasion.
10. Novelty Ties
A tie covered in cartoon characters, holiday decorations, or flashing lights might be okay if you've been in a long relationship with the person you're going on a date with, but not if you're trying to make a good first impression. It's distracting, not very stylish, and shows you don't know the time or the place to joke around.
11. Shirts With Offensive Slogans
Clothing that relies on insulting, crude, or controversial statements will never get you a second date. Even if it's intended as a joke, your date will question your judgment and sense of respect.
12. Visible Undershirts
Undershirts are a good hack for staying comfortable and controlling sweat, but their whole purpose is to well, stay under your shirt. When they become visible beneath your top later, it can make your look turn messy really quickly. Always opt for a properly fitted one that won't peek out without you knowing.
13. Clothing Covered in Designer Logos
If you want to look sophisticated and mature, covering yourself in designer logos definitely isn't the way to do it. In fact, it does the opposite! Luxury clothing can be impressive, but highlighting too many oversized logos comes across as attention-seeking in the wrong way.
14. Poorly Fitted Suits
You can never go wrong with a suit if you know you're having a fancier, more formal date, but keep in mind it has to fit well. Wearing a suit doesn't automatically guarantee you a polished look if you can't find one that matches your appearance!
15. Pajama Pants in Public
Is there a fashion crime worse than showing up to a date in pajama pants? Even if they're just loungewear, anything that comes across as you might sleep in it, is going to rub your date the wrong way. It just makes you seem unprepared and uninterested before you even exchange any words.
16. Socks With Sandals
Not only does it immediately give you "dad vibes," but socks and sandals just don't make you look very attractive on a date. It's a combination that's hard to pull off successfully, especially if you're in a situation when you want to come off as clean, presentable, and polished.
17. Shirts With Stretched Collars
Every little detail counts when you want to look nice, and a stretched neckline can ruin even a freshly washed shirt that otherwise looks clean. The fabric will sit unevenly around your neck, which draws attention away from the rest of your outfit and will have your date staring the entire time.
18. Excessively Distressed Jeans
Distressed jeans can have its moment when you want to look edgy and casual, but for a date, it can feel too aggressive or even unsuitable for where you're meeting. Clean cut denim will always look much more attractive and presentable on a date.
19. Baseball Caps Worn Indoors
A baseball cap can be a useful and stylish accessory during an outdoor date, but keeping it on throughout dinner may seem overly casual and also hide your face during conversation. Unless the setting is especially informal, remove the hat once you're indoors.
20. Clothes That Don't Match the Date
Ultimately, the least date-worthy choice isn't always a particular item, but it's an outfit that completely ignores the occasion. A suit at a casual picnic can feel just as awkward as sweatpants at an upscale restaurant. If you want to dress to impress, always look at the location first and plan accordingly.
