Expert style tips for the dating man

First dates can be daunting. There’s so much to think about: What will they be like? What will you say? What will you wear? Luckily, Christopher Legard, Managing Director of quality men’s fashion retailer Joseph Turner, can give you the answer to one of those questions! Here, he shares his expert style tips for a dating man.

First impressions are everything on a date, and your outfit can say everything about you in one go. Obviously, you want to look good and feel confident, and my expert style advice will help you get ready for any date you’ve got lined up in your calendar.

Dress for the occasion

The first thing you should consider when planning your outfit is what you’re going to be doing on your date — you don’t want to turn up to the cinema in a three-piece suit! Of course, you don’t want to be underdressed either because this could give the wrong impression. When it comes to dates, it’s always best to be a little overdressed, as your date will see that you’ve made an effort and they’ll most likely be impressed.

A smart shirt and trousers is a classic look for a first date and can be dressed up with a blazer or down with a pair of jeans. If you’re going for light colours, brown shoes will work better than black ones, which look great with a darker outfit.

You’ll definitely want to inject a bit of your personality into the outfit, but I’d avoid slogan t-shirts, which can be too casual for a date. Instead, go for a pair of statement socks or some jazzy cufflinks which will introduce your personality in a smarter and more subtle way.

Draw attention to your best features

You’ll definitely want your date to focus on your best features, and knowing that they’re on show will make you feel more confident, too! Try wearing lighter colours on areas you want to show off, because they’re more likely to attract the eye of your date.

With any outfit, my best advice is to make sure it fits right. Even the most beautiful clothing can look wrong without the correct measurements, so make sure that the length of shirts, sleeves and trousers are right for your body shape and size.

Accessorise the right way

When it comes to dates, you don’t want to over-accessorise. This will only distract your date and you’ll be remembered more for the amount of jewellery you wore rather than your good company and great sense of humour.

You don’t want your outfit to seem too busy, but you also don’t want it to look unfinished, either. Wear your favourite watch and, if you want, you can add a bracelet or cufflinks in the same metal. When accessorising, try to keep the right balance: if your watch is big, wear it on its own or with small, minimalist accessories to avoid it looking too fussy and over-the-top.

When it comes to belts, I’d usually suggest matching it with your shoes to really make the outfit come together. So, if you’re going for some classic brown leather brogues, opt for a brown leather belt to match.

Prepare the finishing touches

The finishing touches are just as important as the whole outfit, so make sure you shave, get a fresh haircut, and trim and clean your fingernails. Shoes can tell you a lot about a person, so make sure that they’re clean and fresh by polishing them the night before.

Life is definitely not all about looks, but when it comes to dates, your outfit is just as important as your actions. By following my top style tips for dating men, you can quite literally dress to impress. Remember, the most important thing about any outfit is that you feel as good as you look while wearing it!