Women can spend hours trying to decide what outfit to wear on a first date. Whatever outfit you finally decide on, it is important that it is suits your body shape, your personal style, your age plus it is suitable for the date location. There are a number of general rules to follow regarding the outfit, despite the date location. The most important rule is that your outfit isn’t too revealing. Wearing an outfit which reveals too much skin will only give off the wrong impression and possibly make you look cheap.

Always turn up for a date looking like you have made an effort. First impressions are so important, so don’t put your date off you before you have even started. Avoid any items of clothing that are stained, ripped, faded, too tight, too baggy, too fussy, garish or transparent. Aim for fabrics that flatter your shape and highlight your best features. The last thing you want to do is attract attention to any flaws you may have.

Unfortunately some women would rather wear an uncomfortable outfit they think looks good on them instead of a practical outfit. Practical doesn’t mean an outfit needs to be dull. It is possible to wear a practical but still flattering outfit that makes you feel good plus feels comfortable to wear.

What you think looks good on you and what actually looks good on you can in fact be two different things. This is why it is often a good idea to get the opinion of your friends or family members who will be honest with you. Why not spend an evening with your friends and try on a selection of your clothes. If you are really stuck for something to wear and you’d rather not buy a new outfit, why not borrow some clothes from your friends. That way you will get to wear a new outfit on your date without having to buy one.

Dressing for a casual date, such as bowling, a drink in a bar or even a visit to the zoo, can sometimes be easier when making a clothing decision. You can’t go wrong with most trousers, including jeans for a casual date, but make sure your jeans aren’t old and covered in holes. It is not advised to wear trousers such as hipsters if you have large hips as you will only end up drawing attention to them. A flattering top that shows your womanly curves, such as a fitted t-shirt is a great choice of top to accompany the trousers. Alternatively you could wear a fashionable jumper or a casual blouse. If you have a good neckline, then a v-neck t-shirt or jumper will draw attention to this area. Depending on the time of year, you can wear a stylish jacket or cardigan to complete your look.

Going on a date to a more sophisticated venue gives women the opportunity to dress up a little more than usual, which for some is exciting, but others dread the thought. If you are going to a classy restaurant then there is no need to wear a ball gown, but jeans are not acceptable either. Women have more options than men as they can choose between a dress, a skirt and smart trousers. It is a good idea to possess a little black dress. As long as it suits your figure, then you can’t go wrong wearing this item on a more stylish date. You have the choice of adding accessories to it, such as a brooch, jewellery, a shrug, a stole, a belt, a handbag, a scarf and even a cardigan. Using accessories is a good way to draw attention to a particular area, as well as adding some colour to your dress. For example, if you have a large tummy, add some detail to the top half of the dress, such as a brooch or a chunky necklace so your date will be drawn to that area as opposed to your stomach. You can wear any colour of dress, it doesn’t need to be black, but it is best to stay away from bright gaudy colours. There is a simple rule to follow when choosing a dress to wear; if the dress has a low back, then it should have a high neckline, and if it is high at the back then it should have a lower neckline, but not too low. Your aim is to achieve a classy look, so it is not a good idea to show too much skin. If you aren’t keen on wearing a dress, then you could always wear a fancy skirt or smart trousers. Accompanied with a fashionable top such as a blouse or a cami you can create a stylish look. You have the choice of a wide range of tops to wear with a skirt and trousers, but it’s best to avoid t-shirts. Again you can add accessories to a top to create a focus point or even colour.

If you have arranged an active or a sporty date, you are still required to make an effort. Wearing jogging bottoms or shorts with a sporty t-shirt is perfectly acceptable, as long as they aren’t old, baggy or stained. It’s advised that your choice of sportswear is modern and won’t restrict your movements, possibly having an impact on your sporty performance. While it is a good idea to make an effort, it’s not a good idea to overdress; after all you will only get sweaty anyway. Try to avoid wearing small hot pants and a tight vest top, which aren’t practical for taking part in an activity. A good sports bra can be the key to a successful sporty look. It’s always recommended to have a decent sports bra if you play sport regularly. If the weather is cold you can accompany your look with a sports jacket or fleece top. Most importantly make sure your trainers are clean and scent free.

There will be times when you don’t know where your date is taking you. This is when deciding what to wear is more difficult. It is always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed if you don’t know your date venue. A suggestion for this situation is to wear a smart pair of trousers, with a chic top together with a stylish jacket or cardigan that can always be taken off depending where your date takes you.

Once you have your outfit chosen, don’t forget to choose suitable footwear. Some women make the mistake of choosing a perfect outfit then wearing the most unsuitable pair of shoes possible, which can change the look completely. Shoes should be clean, appropriate for the date, match the outfit and easy to walk in. There is no point in wearing shoes that look nice but are agony to wear. If going for a classy look, avoid casual shoes such as clumpy footwear, trainers and boots. Alternatively, if you are going on a casual date such as to the zoo, there is no point in wearing fashionable high heeled party shoes. The last thing you want is to return home after a date with feet covered in blisters.

As long as you plan your outfit in advance, think carefully about what suits your body shape and obtain your friends opinion, then you shouldn’t have any worries the next time you plan an outfit for your date. Remember that being comfortable in your outfit will result in you feeling relaxed and more likely to have a good time on your date.