A Collected Gent Returns

The Well-Rounded Gent: Dressing for a Date

You’ve met someone that caught your eye, and a date was arranged. Now it’s time to decide what to wear.

Since not all of us are a modern day Don Juan, it can be difficult to judge how to dress for a date (especially if it’s the first one).  Unless the date is specifically casual, such as hiking the Appalachian Trail, swimming with the sharks, or skydiving from 4,000 ft, I always recommend dressing your best. After all, a lot of dates are based on first impressions. It doesn’t make sense not to put effort into your attire on such an exciting occasion.

So what do I recommend? A suit is acceptable if you’re sure your date will be similarly dressed, or if the restaurant requires it. But since that usually isn’t the case, a fitted blazer is a must. So is a collared shirt. Jeans are fine if they’re not overly distressed or faded. I prefer grey denim – it looks good, is a little more formal than the standard indigo, and it goes great with a large variety of blazers. If not grey, definitely choose a dark denim. It’s also important to show some personal style beyond the basic blazer / shirt / jean combo that most people wear. Tuck in a pocket square, throw on a great pair of cufflinks, or choose a pair of shoes in a subtly unique color.

No matter what, always remember that individuality is key—but so are some unspoken rules about the first date. It’s safe to assume that your date will be putting their best foot forward, and so should you.

Isaiah Johnson of A Collected Gentleman displays the perfect outfit for a date. His outfit is a great mix of formal and casual, and the pocket square is an especially nice touch.

 

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