What to wear to a first date
For a first date, men should wear smart casual that fits the place: a well-fitted shirt or fine knit, dark jeans or chinos, and clean leather shoes or minimal sneakers, with a jacket for a nicer restaurant.
The outfit
Example photo: MART PRODUCTION / PexelsBlazer and roll-neck
- JacketOlive or grey unstructured blazer
- TrousersStone wool trousers
- ShirtBlack merino roll-neck
- NeckwearNone
- ShoesDark brown suede chukka boots
- ExtrasBrown belt matched to shoes
Open this look in Dress the Part
Change the season, venue or budget in the app, and shop each piece at real stores.
Tips
- Fit matters more than formality. A well-fitted shirt and trousers beat an expensive outfit that doesn’t fit.
- Match the venue: a jacket for a cocktail bar or nice restaurant; a clean shirt and dark jeans for coffee or a casual bar.
- Look put together without trying too hard: no tie unless the place calls for one.
- Clean shoes and grooming get noticed more than brands.
If the invite names a dress code
Smart casual
Smart casual for men means a jacket without a tie: a blazer or sport coat, a collared shirt or fine knit, chinos or wool trousers, and leather shoes or clean minimal sneakers.
Casual
For a casual event, men can skip the jacket and tie but should still look put together: a pressed button-up or polo, chinos or dark jeans, and clean shoes.
Common questions
Should I wear a blazer on a first date?
For dinner at a nice restaurant or a cocktail bar, yes. For coffee or a casual activity, skip it.
Are jeans okay for a first date?
Dark, well-fitting jeans with no rips are a great choice for most first dates.
What colors should I wear on a first date?
Navy, grey, white, olive and earth tones are easy and flattering. Keep patterns simple.
Have the invite?
Paste it into Dress the Part and get the dress code decoded, an outfit for your season and venue, and where to buy each piece at any budget.