What to wear on a first date

It is ironic how in the animal kingdom that it is generally the male who is more colorful and adorned to attract the female.  The classic example is the peacock.  However, for humans, it is typically the female who dresses up and accessorizes to impress the other gender.  

You only get one first impression.  So make it a good one.  One male friend told me that it is very important that the woman initially looks attractive because men carry this mental image of her even years later when they are old and wrinkled, so the woman will still seem as beautiful in her old age as she was early in their relationship.  This may not hold true for every man, but you can decide whether the person is a potential partner - or at least worthy of a second date - as quickly as within 5 minutes of meeting.  Your appearance (which includes attire, accessories, hair and makeup) is part of your nonverbal communication and says a lot about you. 

General tips

Wear clothes that are clean, comfortable, presentable (no wrinkles, stains or holes), and fit well.  Wearing clothes that look good on you helps you feel more confident, which translates into carrying yourself better.

Your outfit should be appropriate for the time of day, venue and weather.  Generally, the attire is more casual during the day, and more formal in the evening.  If you are unsure how formally to dress, it is better to overdress (slightly) than underdress.

If you know your date's particular preferences (such as a favorite color or type of clothing), you can try to accommodate but generally your outfit should provide insight into your personal style and personality.  Along that line of thought, do not try a new look or hairstyle on the first date.

I recommend not wearing clothes or shoes that you have not worn before.  You do not know whether they will be comfortable, need constant readjusting, or "misbehave" (unzip, unbutton or tear).  If you do decide to wear them anyway, remember to remove the tags! 

Ladies

Although men have it easier when it comes to choosing an outfit for a date, we have the advantage of having a wider wardrobe selection so we can choose clothes that fit our specific body shape.  We can use our wardrobe to display and accentuate our best feature(s) and hide our worst one(s), drawing your date's attention on the part(s) you want.  But do this discreetly without revealing too much skin.  You want to appear appropriate and classy, not trashy.  For example, if you have a fuller bust, wearing a v-neck or wrap dress will be flattering (just don't show too much cleavage though).  If you have attractive legs, wear skinny jeans/pants or an above-the-knee skirt (just not above mid-thigh).

For a feminine touch, emphasize the thinnest part of your torso.  If you have an hourglass figure, draw attention to your waist and hips by wearing an A-line skirt with a fitted top, a pencil skirt with a tucked shirt/blouse, a dress/skirt with a peplum, or a belt.  If you do not have an hourglass figure, an empire cut may be flattering instead.

Think of yourself as a piece of artwork.  Your body is the paper.  Your clothes are the paint.  Do not be afraid to wear vibrant colors.  Wearing all black may be slimming, but bright colors make you (or certain parts of you - the parts you want) stand out.  Like any piece of artwork, visual balance is important.  For example, reveal either your graceful neckline or nice legs, not both (you don't want to reveal too much on the first date).  Similarly, if you wear a loose-fitting top, wear skinny jeans instead of loose-fitting pants.  And heels go well with skinny jeans.

Accentuate your best asset so that you can control the focus. Wear a fitted turtleneck or dangly earrings to bring attention to your face.

My personal preference for makeup is to wear enough that it enhances your face but not too much that you appear trashy or like a clown.  At a minimum, I recommend covering up blemishes or dark circles under the eyes (with foundation, concealer, cover-up or BB cream) and wearing red lipstick (research has shown men are attracted towards it).  If you want to do more, making your eyes stand out and wearing blush would further enhance your face.

For more tips, please see my posts on How to make yourself more physically attractive and How to make your personality more attractive. 

No-No's 
-  Clothes that are too revealing, short or tight, or have too much cleavage.  You do not want to give the wrong impression.  If the date goes well, you will have subsequent dates to show more skin.
-  No bra
-  Clothes that are too trendy - unless your date is in fashion or your style is actually to be trendy
-  Too much makeup or glitter
-  Too many accessories
-  Hats
-  Sweats
-  Huge purses
-  Uncomfortable shoes
-  UGGs - men do not seem to love them the way women do

Example of what not to wear

Gentlemen

Men have a limited selection of outfits to wear on a date.  Generally, it is safe to wear a tucked-in dress shirt (long-sleeve preferred over short-sleeve), polo shirt, or sweater with slacks or dark jeans and a nice pair of shoes.  A (sports or blazer) jacket is optional for dinner dates and other nighttime events.  Match the color of your belt with the shoes.

Do not wear t-shirts (especially one with a controversial reference) or sneakers unless the date involves physical activity such as hiking.