What to wear on a first date: outfit ideas for every kind of date

The basics: what makes good first date attire

Nobody remembers the exact outfit from a good first date. What people do notice is whether someone looks cared for, comfortable and like themselves. That makes the job easier than it sounds.

• Clean and fitted. Clothes that fit you well and are washed and ironed (or at least not wrinkled) matter more than anything trendy or expensive.
• One step above everyday. Whatever you'd wear on a normal day out, nudge it up a little: a nicer shirt or top, a jacket, better shoes.
• Right for the place. A cocktail bar and a hiking trail need different things. If you know the plan, dress for it. If you don't, ask.
• Tested before. Wear something you've worn at least once, so you know it doesn't pinch, itch, ride up or turn see-through in daylight.
• Like you. If you always wear black, wear black. If you love color, wear color. You want them to meet the real you.

The outfit ideas below are sorted by kind of date. They're written for everyone: pick the pieces that match how you like to dress, whether that's dresses and skirts, trousers and shirts or anything in between.

First date outfit ideas by venue

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1. Coffee date or brunch

Relaxed and daytime, so think “nice weekend”. Dark jeans or chinos with a soft knit, a clean T-shirt under an overshirt or a casual dress with a denim jacket. Clean sneakers or loafers.

Skip: anything that looks like a big night out. A coffee shop at 11 a.m. and sequins don't mix. More on this kind of date in our guide to first dates over coffee.

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2. Casual dinner

Smart casual is the sweet spot. Dark jeans or tailored trousers with a button-up shirt, a nice blouse or a fine knit. A midi dress or skirt works just as well. Add a jacket or a cardigan if the evening gets cool. Boots, loafers, clean leather sneakers or flats.

Tip: avoid bright white or very light colors if there's tomato sauce on the menu. Just saying.

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3. Nicer restaurant

Check whether the place has a dress code (the website usually says). Go for tailored trousers or a dark suit without a tie, a shirt or a silk top, a simple dress or a jumpsuit. Polished shoes. One statement piece, like a watch, earrings or a great jacket, is enough.

Skip: anything you'll be pulling at all evening. A fancy place is already a bit formal, so comfort matters even more.

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4. Drinks at a bar

Evening and a little more playful. Dark jeans or black trousers with a shirt, a fitted tee under a leather or denim jacket, a slip skirt with a knit or a simple dress. Darker colors look good in dim light. Shoes you can stand in for a while, since bars often mean standing.

Tip: bring a layer. Bars are warm inside, and the walk afterwards often isn't.

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5. Bowling, mini golf or an arcade

You'll move, bend and maybe sweat a little. Jeans or chinos with some stretch, a T-shirt or a casual shirt, a light jacket. Sneakers are best. Bowling alleys usually give you shoes, so wear socks.

Skip: short skirts, very tight trousers and anything with long sleeves that get in the way.

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6. Museum or gallery

Smart casual with comfortable shoes, because you'll be on your feet for a while. A knit with trousers or jeans, a shirt dress, an overshirt or a light blazer. A small crossbody bag or nothing at all, since many museums ask you to check big bags.

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7. Walk, hike or picnic

Weather first, looks second. For a city walk: jeans, a knit or tee, a jacket and comfortable sneakers. For a real hike: proper shoes with grip, layers you can take off and something waterproof. For a picnic: something you don't mind sitting on the grass in, plus a light layer for when the sun goes down.

Tip: if you're hiking, tell your date what kind of trail it is, so they don't show up in loafers. Our first date plans include a few easy outdoor ones.

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8. Concert or comedy show

Match the crowd a little: band tees and denim for a rock show, something smarter for a jazz club. Shoes you can stand in, a jacket you can tie around your waist and nothing you'd be sad about if someone spills a drink on it.

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9. Cold-weather date

A good coat does most of the work, because it's the first thing they'll see. Under it: a chunky knit or a turtleneck, jeans or wool trousers, boots with grip. A scarf and a hat are fine, just check how your hair looks after you take the hat off.

Tip: dress in layers you can take off inside, because cafés and bars are often very warm in winter.

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10. Hot-weather date

Breathable fabrics like linen and cotton, light colors, nothing too tight. Linen shirt and shorts or chinos, a sundress, a loose top with wide trousers. Sandals are fine for casual dates, sneakers if you'll walk a lot. Sunscreen is part of the outfit.

Tip: Video date? Only the top half counts, but choose a top you'd wear in person, check your lighting and tidy whatever is behind you. The bookshelf is a great conversation starter, the laundry pile less so.

Cheat sheet: dress code by date type

When you don't know where you're going

Some people like to surprise their date. If that's you on the receiving end, you can ask for a hint without spoiling the fun.

Ask for a dress code hint

Love a surprise, but help me out: sneakers or nicer shoes? 😄

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If you still don't know, the universal outfit is your friend: dark jeans or trousers, a nice top, shirt or knit, a jacket you can take off and clean shoes you can walk in. It works for almost everything except a hike and a black-tie gala, and neither is likely on a first date.

And if you're the one planning, do your date a favor and mention what to wear in the invite: “Wear comfy shoes, we'll be walking” saves them a lot of guessing.

First date invitePlan the date and add a dress code hint to the invite›

Grooming, scent and the details

Small things often make a bigger impression than the clothes themselves.

• Clean shoes. People notice them more than you'd think. A quick wipe is enough.
• Light scent. Perfume or cologne should be noticeable when someone leans in, not across the table. One or two sprays.
• Fresh breath. Brush before you go and keep mints or gum in your pocket.
• Hair and nails. Neat and clean is all that matters. No need for a salon visit the day before.
• Glasses, piercings, tattoos, makeup or no makeup: wear what you usually do. A first date isn't the time to hide who you are.
• Pockets. Phone, keys, a way to pay, maybe a charger. A small bag or a jacket with pockets solves it.

What not to wear on a first date

There are very few hard rules, but these tend to cause trouble:

• Brand-new shoes you haven't walked in. Blisters are not a great conversation topic.
• Anything you keep adjusting: a top that slips, a skirt that rides up, a collar that itches.
• Clothes that are wrong for the weather. Shivering or sweating for two hours makes it hard to relax.
• A costume. Dressing like someone you're not (much fancier, much edgier) usually feels uncomfortable and shows.
• Strong scents, whether perfume, cologne or a smoky jacket.
• Stains, holes and wrinkles (unless the holes are very much on purpose).

The two-minute comfort check

Before you leave, put the outfit on and do this:

1. Sit down. Does anything pinch, gape or ride up?
2. Walk around for a minute. Can you walk for twenty minutes in these shoes?
3. Lift your arms and reach across the table. Does everything stay where it should?
4. Check the weather for the end of the date, not just the start.
5. Look in the mirror and ask: do I look like me on a good day? If yes, you're done.

If you're still second-guessing at this point, it's probably nerves, not the outfit. Our guide to first date nerves has tips for the hour before you leave, and the first date tips cover everything after you walk in. If the bill worries you more than the outfit, read who pays on a first date or browse all our dating guides.

psst … this makes it easier

Turn your idea into an invite

• Scratch card, spin the wheel, quiz or secret code
• Your date picks the day and the food right away
• Free, no account, sent as a link

Create an inviteSee an example

Hey you,Will you go on a date with me?Yes ♥NoNice try 😜

Frequently asked questions