First Date? 3 Steps to Dress For Success
By Terry Lyons, BounceBack Fashion and Style Expert
You've recently been sent out into the wild world of dating and, like most, you're a little shaky on the rules. Do I offer to split the bill? When did everyone stop talking and start texting? What do I wear on a first date? It can be overwhelming, and quite intimidating. It can also be an exciting adventure filled with a potpourri of magical moments, disappointments, and funny stories (about the self-appointed "King of Wall Street" who shows up wearing a tattoo t-shirt and reads your aura - yes, that actually happened).
As a stylist, I'm often confronted with the "what to wear" portion of dating. Your style is an extension of yourself, and how you present yourself tells your date a lot about who you are. Here are 3 simple steps to looking and feeling your best on a first date.
1. Keep it Simple
When it comes to fashion, men are straightforward creatures. They want to see one thing and one thing only - curves. He does not understand that the latest trend is oversized tees tucked into parachute pants. He does understand that your legs look amazing in skinny jeans, that your breasts are perfect in a shape hugging silk top, and that your stilettos are cause for a cold shower.
2. Be Sexy, Not Slutty
A mini skirt paired with a tight tube top and 4 inch stilettos says, "I'm easy. You don't have to work that hard." Men want to work hard at earning your affection and women want to be courted by them. If you're really interested, don't make it so easy.
A mini skirt paired with a pretty cotton blouse, a classic pair of heels, and a simple necklace says, "I'm an intelligent woman with class and style. I'm also a woman who knows that what you want is under my mini skirt, and you'll need to work very hard at obtaining access."
Always pair classy with sexy. If you love the tube top, try wearing it with a pencil skirt or high-waisted pants. If you love the blouse, but mini skirts are your nemesis, slip into a pair of skinny pants and unbutton one extra button on the blouse.
3. Strut Your Stuff
The final and most important rule when dressing for a date is this: YOU FEEL SEXY! It doesn't matter what's in style, where you're going, or whom you're with. If you feel sexy, that confidence will resonate with your date. And nothing is sexier than confidence.
Terry Lyons is a fashion stylist and manager of the New York City boutique Jessie James. She is a graduate of Loyola College in Maryland and has worked in multiple facets of the Fashion Industry. jessiejamesonline.com
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