What to wear to your next Date, Party or Work function...
When it comes to a date most guys under or overdress for the occassion. Whether it's a date, party or work function you want to look your best and make a great impression. No one in history has ever said 'I can't stand a well dressed man!'
Dates
Dates are your chance to make a great impression. The first thing you want to consider is the location/context.
Coffee/Movie
These are the most common types of dates. You want to look coordinated and stylish without appearing pretentious or underwhelming.
Go for blue/black jeans and a nice casual tee paired with a jacket for autumn/winter or blue jeans and a casual shirt for spring/summer. If you are more conservative you can always pair a nice white shirt (crew/vneck) with a pair of blue jeans and casual shoes for a classic look. Wear dark coloured casual shoes with dark jeans or lighter coloured casual shoes with a blue/grey jean. The idea is 'neat casual' for this kind of date. Ditch the dress shoes or the button up shirt. Keep it relaxed, if you're going to wear a shirt make sure the top two buttons are undone, no one likes an uptight guy.
Dinner/Theatre
For this kind of setting you want to go for a more formal approach. Keep it relaxed, but instead of neat casual go for smart casual.
This means a pair of dress shoes and black jeans paired with a plain or checkered button up shirt. Go for a black belt to tie it all together. If you're not a dress shoe kind of guy try for a mostly black casual shoe that blends with the jeans and wear a nice dress shirt. Your date will most likely wear a beautiful dress and the last thing you want to be is underdressed.
Note: When it comes to dates, fragrance is very important. Ditch the deodorant and dab a small amount of cologne on the back and front of your neck. Also add a small dab on your wrists. (remember less is more)
Party
Work Party/Family Function
You want to go for casual shoes, nice jeans and a dress shirt (plain/checkered/polka dot)
Try to make the shirt the stand out piece of your outfit. Wear black jeans with a brighter coloured shirt for a great impact.
18th/21st/Big Event
For this kind of event the same applies except for the shoes. Swap them for a pair of black dress shoes to dress up the jeans. Try for a Polka dot/pinstripe/checkered shirt to look a bit more classy.
Key things to remember:
-Be Yourself. Your date will see through some last minute outfit purchase (especially by the third date). Use the guide with what you have in your wardrobe or go out and buy a few different dress shirts.
-Don't wear the same colour from head to toe. You'll look like a stage hand from the local theatre. Instead wear a lighter colour up top than the colour of your pants. (Example - Black jeans - Blue shirt, Blue Jeans - White Shirt)
-If your shoes are black wear black socks, if your shoes are lighter coloured (or your jeans are blue) wear white socks.
-Style your hair. Don't go to the date with nice clothes and unkempt hair. (Check out the Hair section for tips on styling and choosing a haircut)
