Well, ladies, it’s that time of year again! Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and that means that love is in the air! And with V-Day being on a Friday this year, it’s the opportune time for first-dates. Let’s say that that cutie in your 10:00 lab just asked you out. You’re awash with excitement and pre-date jitters; for once, you don’t feel absolutely disgusted with yourself post-dissection. He’s everything you want in a guy: handsome, smart, sweet, a true gentleman. You really want to make a good impression because you think this one’s a keeper—but you have no idea what to wear! Picking out an outfit as well as creating the perfect look for a first-date can be challenging and frustrating. But if you follow these tips, you can enjoy the night, impress the potential beau, and look fabulous in the process!
Dress for the Occasion/Venue.
You never want to be overdressed or underdressed—so make sure you know where you’ll be going throughout the night! You don’t want to show up to Buffalo Wild Wings in a body-con dress and heels, and you certainly don’t want to show up at one of the swanky restaurants at Stonewall Jackson Resort in distressed jeans and your sorority jersey. That is a major no-no. Ask your date where he wants to go for the evening and dress accordingly. In my experience—as minimal as it may be—guys usually stick to the traditional route: dinner and a movie. If this is the case for you, your outfit should be dress-casual. Try pairing a casual sundress or romper with leggings or tights (because it is winter, after all). Go for ankle boots or riding boots with a minimal heel to finish off your look. Patterned or colored skinny jeans with a neutral, dressy blouse will suffice, as well. You could pair this with ankle boots or a sensible pair of heels.
Wear Minimal Makeup.
Believe it or not, guys actually prefer a more natural look. So stop spackling on concealer like you’re trying to seal a hole in a building! Enhance your natural beauty by drawing attention to your best features. Start off with a thin layer of primer (This will help keep your makeup from fading and keep your complexion from appearing “shiny”; that way, you won’t have to continually “powder your nose” all night!) and dust on a bit of pressed powder. Use bronzer to contour your face and add a bit of blush to the apples of your cheeks to create the appearance of a rosy glow. Use your favorite neutral shade of eye shadow (A golden-brown or champagne usually works best.) and go over your top eyelids with a subtle brown liner, keeping it as close to your lash-line as possible. Next, apply a small amount of mascara to your upper and lower lashes. Finish off your look with a tinted lip balm. This process takes very little time and ensures that you will look anything but “fake.”
Wear What You Like.
I cannot stress this enough: the key to a great date is being comfortable. So, you need to wear clothing that you feel confident in! Don’t dwell on the old adage, “What will he like?” Trust me, guys aren’t concerned about whether your shoes and bag are this season’s or last season’s. He won’t notice how you dress around him because he’ll be paying more attention to how you act around him—and the key to that is confidence! If you’re wearing something you don’t like or that you aren’t comfortable in, you’re bound to act differently than you normally would. You won’t be as energetic, charming, or funny because you’ll be fretting over your outfit and fidgeting the entire time. This will make your guy feel as if you’re not comfortable around him—which will probably hinder him from asking you out for a second date. If you feel weird and wobbly wearing heels, don’t risk spraining an ankle; wear dressy flats instead. If you don’t like wearing dresses, opt for a romper and leggings. The point is, wear something that’s you; if you’re happy, then your date will be, too!
With all of that being said, you can make this a Valentine’s Day to remember! Even if your date turns out to be a dud, at least you can look back on the experience and say, “Hey, I looked good that night!” Just remember to dress appropriately, tone-down the makeup, and dress confidently. If you follow these tips, you’re bound to impress!