7 ​Ideas on First Date Outfits for Men

Some people dress to impress. But if you’re dating a woman, you’re not just making an impression. You’re showing her who you are. Your personality. Your best.

Therefore, you should take time pulling together a great outfit. If you’re searching for ideas on what to wear to a first date, you’re in the right place.

First dates are some of the most memorable moments in a person’s life. When you go on a date, you’re taking the chance to meet someone who might be the one you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. This person might be just the one you’re looking for. The one who you will spend many more dates with, and hopefully, your ‘every day’ with.

You may feel like the first date clothes aren't that important. Well, you’re wrong. Just as your date spends so much time and effort choosing her first date dress, you should also invest time and effort into what you will wear.

That’s because no matter what people say about physical appearance (that it’s actually less important than character), physical attraction matters especially on first dates.

Check out these first date outfit ideas for men:

Casual Date Clothes for Guys

Look simple yet stunning on denim

A casual date calls for denim. This versatile fabric works well with just about any outfit, from T-shirts to collared shirts, and button downs. But just because it’s a casual date doesn’t mean you should opt for light-wash jeans. Any man will look absolutely gorgeous in a dark-wash straight-leg jean. If you’re tucking in your shirt, be sure to wear a leather belt.

Wear a pair of men's dress shoes

Shoes can make or break your outfit. Dressing up for a date involves carefully choosing your shoes. Loafers will make your look luxurious yet laid-back (go for leather penny loafers). Derby shoes are great too. This formal footwear style balances the casual appearance of denim.

Fewer accessories are better

Keep your accessories to a minimum. A classic watch or a cuff is fine. Your date’s focus should be on you, not on your accessory.

Dinner Outfits for Men

Dinner dates are special, mostly formal affairs. Thus, you want to look clean, smart, and sharp. Dressing up for the evening requires a little more attention to detail. So ditch the polos. T-shirts don’t have a place for dinner dates either.

Black suit and white dress shirt

There’s nothing more classy and sophisticated than a well-fitted black suit and white dress shirt. You can add some accessories, depending on how formal you want to go. But this outfit looks great just as it is. Complete your look with a pair of leather brogues. Perfect.

Button overshirt

If the dinner date is a little less formal, opt for a button overshirt that looks relaxed but still has a hint of formality. Overshirts work well with jeans or chinos too.

Dark jeans and a dress shirt

Nothing beats the classiness of dark jeans. If you don’t feel like wearing a suit, just pull together a dress shirt and dark jeans and you’re all set. This dinner date outfit is timeless, comfortable, and fits any occasion. If you’re not a fan of jeans, go for a pair of Chinos. Navy or Blue Chinos go so well with different colors, patterns, and styles of a dress shirt.

Cool First Date Clothes

If you want to up your game, here are some other outfit ideas to try:

Leather Jacket, shirt, and jeans

Here’s a trivia: women love men in a nice leather jacket. If you don’t like wearing a suit, a fitted leather jacket is all you need to look great on your first date. But here’s one thing you should take note: leather jackets have a macho character, which can be tricky to work with. You want to balance it out with softer pieces, like a scarf or a beanie (perfect for the winter), more fitted pants, and style it with Chelsea boots or a pair of low-top sneakers.

Tailored topcoat, collared shirt, and Chinos

Here’s another outfit idea for men who think that suits on dates are a little too much. By wearing a tailored topcoat, you’ll still look and feel “dressed up” without a full-blown suit. A dark cashmere coat fits nicely with a brushed twill shirt, and wool drawstring pants. Accessorize with a wool scarf and a watch. For your footwear, choose black derby shoes.

Blazer and polo shirt

You’ll look dapper in a well-fitted blazer. You can experiment with colors and patterns. For example, you can wear a plain shirt underneath a patterned blazer (or vice versa). If you’re comfortable wearing two patterns, you can do so. Just make sure that they don’t look exactly the same. For example, if your blazer has a large windowpane, go for a smaller checkered shirt. For your footwear, you can wear loafers, wingtip brogues, or brown leather shoes.

For your top, go for polo or shirt instead of the standard button-up. You can pair a blazer with jeans or chinos for a relaxed yet stylish look. Stick to blazers made from light fabrics like cotton and linen during summer while opting for wool or tweed in winter.

Things to Keep in Mind when Dressing for a Date

Fit is more important than the style and price of your clothes.

You can wear an overly expensive suit all you want. But if it doesn’t fit nicely to your body, it’s useless. A well-fitted dress will make you look good even if you’re just wearing a simple shirt and jeans. Never, ever forget that.

When it comes to accessories, less is more

Accessories are important. A small stylish piece like a cufflink or a pocket square on your jacket breast can make your look even more stunning. But if there’s one accessory you shouldn’t go without - that’s going to be your watch. Aside from ensuring that you don’t get late to your first ever date, a watch can make your look feel complete and put together.

Layer with style

Layering will keep you cozy and warm in the fall or winter. It’s also a great way to boost your style. When layering clothes, follow these rules:

● Choose visible layers that you can wear on your own

● Your outer hems should be longer than your inner hems.

● Don’t go beyond two or three bright colors.

Opt for smart footwear

Your shoes are as important as your clothes. If you’re in doubt, go for dressier shoes. Jeans and chinos pair well with derby or Chelsea boots, while oxfords and loafers are best choices for suits and more formal outfits.

What you wear on your first date can greatly impact how this day will turn out. Surely, your date will appreciate the fact that you put so much effort into trying to look presentable.

You don’t need to look like a celebrity or a supermodel to impress that girl. Remember, you shouldn’t dress to impress. But you have to look your best and show her that you’re serious about knowing more about her and making her part of your life. 

Mariam Simmons

Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Manager at Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides. With over a decade of writing experience, her main goal in creating content is to ensure readers learn something useful and provide value instead of noise.