Sophisticated Date Night Looks for Men
So, you’ve bought the theatre tickets, booked the restaurant, or bought all the essentials for a romantic picnic in the park, but your planning isn’t over yet, you need to decide what you are going to wear.
Whether it’s a first date or your 50th wedding anniversary, it’s always important to put in some effort to present yourself well. Showing up to a date looking your best demonstrates to your partner that you care that extra bit. You want them to know that you care about yourself and how you look, but also want them to be stepping out someone who looks (at least almost) as good as them. You want to put across the impression that you are organised enough to have planned to be well groomed and have a coordinated outfit at the ready, and you are knowledgeable enough to know what to wear and what looks good on you. There is a lot you can say with an outfit.
There are many factors that go into putting together a good date night outfit, but here are a few things you are going to want to consider.
Time of Day
A breakfast at a cosy café and an evening at the opera are very different vibes, and require very different outfits.
Going out in the morning or during the day will usually have a much more laid back and casual vibe then going out later in the evening, of course there are exceptions to the rules, but in general, you don’t want to be taking a 10am stroll in the park in a full tuxedo, and you don’t want to be seen stepping out of a limousine in chinos and a t-shirt.
There is an unwritten rule when it comes to suits that the later in the day the event you are attending, the darker your suit should be, with brunch appointments favouring a light grey or beige look, whereas the black tie or tux Is reserved for the evening galas.
Location
This may be a little harder if you are planning a date at a venue that you’ve never been before. However, there is no shame in stalking a places website or social media to get a vibe of what you should wear. Many higher end places may even post their dress code online.
Dates are special occasions, you want to treat your partner to a luxury experience, you might find yourself in a venue that doesn’t match your usual style. This can be stressful, as the last thing any of us want to do is make a social faux pas in a posh restaurant or high-end theatre. One common question from men is “what exactly does black tie mean?”.
Although there are a few different interpretations, here are the basics of it.
· Obviously, the tie- a black neck tie or bowtie works, it’s down to personal preference what style you choose.
· A dinner jacket- any black suit jacket will do in a pinch, but for the elegance usually called for at black tie events, a dinner jacket with silk lined lapels is a classic.
· Black tailored trousers- a two- or three-piece suit that came as a set is one option yes, but there is also absolutely nothing wrong with mixing and matching your suit pieces. The fit of the trouser is also down to personal taste, traditionally trousers were worn longer and touching the shoes, whereas recently it has become the trend to wear a slightly shorter, so a slight amount of sock is on show.
· White dress shirt- Again, there are many different styles of dress shirt, and it comes down to personal preference, A Marcella Piqué shirt, also known as Bosom or Bib shirt is a classic for black tie dress.
· Shoes- Black dress shoes are essential with this look
· Accessories- This is where you get to have fun and add a bit of personality, a pocket square, cufflinks, a watch, all classy and sophisticated ways you can add to this look.
Activity
You need your outfit to be appropriate for what you are doing. There although you may want to always look your best, there is no point dressing to the nines to do something like rock climbing or bowling. If your date plans are something where you are going to need more freedom of movement, there is no shame in dressing down, there are a few ways you can make even workout gear look sophisticated.
Fit is a huge part making a basic outfit look more stylish, jeans and a plain white tee will look immaculate on you if they fit your body well. This white t-shirt, famously sported by Jeremy Allen White in the hit FX show The Bear Is a prime example of this phenomenon. The rib cuff on the neckline, straight hem, and no side-seems from the circular knitting technique help the organic cotton fall well on any body-type. When finding a fit for a shirt like this, you want it to hug your shoulders but not cling to your torso.
For a timeless look, tuck your shirt into dark wash medium or mid-rise jeans, accessorise with a belt, a denim or leather jacket, and pair of boots. Adding a watch or a simple necklace can add some personality to this classic, but remember not to over-accessorise, you don’t want to distract from the simplicity of this style.
Fun fact- the jacket, belt, watch and boots featured in this look are all vegan and can be found on the Immaculate Vegan website.
Comfort
When on a date you want to be able to focus on the person you are with. You want to be able to comfortably and naturally engage in a conversation with as few outside distractions as possible. This is why picking an outfit that you are not only physically comfortable but also an outfit that makes you feel comfortable in yourself. You do not want to be sitting opposite your date, trying to listen to them sharing a funny story, when all you can think about is how your belt is too small and is digging into your stomach. You equally don’t want to be strolling through the park holding hands with your partner, and your mind keeps slipping to “Can everyone in this park tell that this outfit isn’t what I usually wear? Did is my shirt too loud? Does this hat suit my head shape?”.
A polo shirt with a smart jumper is a great way of looking formal if you aren’t quite comfortable with a full suit. Or you can dress down a look by swapping out dress shoes with a pair of clean black sneakers if you are concerned about looking overdressed. Wearing an outfit that you feel comfortable and confidant in is one of the best ways to boot your passive charisma, so finding a look where you feel like yourself is one of the best steps in dressing well for a date.
In Conclusion
There isn’t a magical item of clothing you can put on to make you irresistible to your date, but finding something that looks nice and that makes you feel confidant is almost as good. From a casual brunch to an evening at the Ritz, each date deserves a bit of extra time and care to make sure you are presenting yourself well and looking your best.