A date outfit has one job: help you feel like yourself, at your best. Not overdressed, not underdressed, and comfortable enough that you are thinking about the person opposite, not your clothes. RankHero estimates "date night outfit" gets around 8,100 searches a month in the UK (RankHero). Here is a simple formula, and outfits for every kind of date.
The formula
Good jeans, a belt, one piece with personality, clean shoes. That is it.
- Jeans: dark, clean, straight or slim, the right length.
- Belt: leather, simple buckle. It makes the outfit look finished.
- One personality piece: a statement tee, hoodie or knit.
- Shoes: clean leather trainers, Chelsea boots or smart shoes.
Everything else is detail.
Outfit 1: Drinks
- A graphic tee with a strong design, such as one of our DCR Society tees
- Dark indigo straight jeans
- Black leather belt
- Clean white leather trainers
- An overshirt or bomber if it is cold
A tee with a design that means something gives you a natural conversation starter.
Outfit 2: Dinner somewhere nice
- A fine knit or embroidered jumper, such as our Born On Mars knitwear
- Black straight jeans
- Black belt
- Chelsea boots
- Wool overcoat
Smart but relaxed. The embroidery adds a detail without shouting.
Outfit 3: Casual daytime date
- A Classic Cotton hoodie in a colour that suits you, from the Experimental Collection
- Mid-indigo straight jeans
- Tan belt
- Retro trainers
Easy and approachable. Pick a hoodie colour that flatters your skin tone; navy, maroon and forest green suit most people.
Outfit 4: Club or late night
- A black organic hoodie or a bold DCR tee
- Black jeans
- Black belt
- Black boots
All black is confident, photographs well and works under any lighting. Our Nouveau Noir 2075 hoodies are built for it.
Outfit 5: Winter date
- A hoodie under a structured coat, hood out over the collar
- Dark jeans and a belt
- Chelsea boots
- A scarf
Military-style and structured coats were one of the standout menswear themes in London this year, according to British GQ (British GQ).
Outfit 6: Summer date
- A white or light graphic tee
- Light or mid-wash jeans
- Brown belt
- White trainers
- A cap if you are outdoors
The details that matter most
Fit
Fit beats price every time. Jeans should not bunch at the ankle, and tops should sit at the shoulder. Check our size guide before you order.
Clean shoes
People notice shoes. Clean them before you go.
Grooming
A fresh haircut or tidy beard does more than any outfit.
One statement
One standout piece per outfit. If the tee is loud, the jacket is quiet.
Scent
Light and subtle.
What to avoid
- Brand-new clothes you have not tried on properly
- Anything that does not fit
- Too many logos at once
- Scuffed or dirty shoes
Dress for the venue
If you do not know the venue, look it up. A cocktail bar, a local pub and a club need slightly different versions of the same formula. When in doubt, go one step smarter than you think: swap trainers for boots, or add a coat.
Confidence is the real outfit
Clothes help, but how you feel in them matters more. Wear something that feels like you. That is the idea behind everything we make: wear your identity, not a trend.
Outfit by season
Autumn
A knit or hoodie, dark jeans and a belt, Chelsea boots and a light coat. Autumn is the easiest season to dress for: layers do the work.
Winter
A hoodie or knit under a wool overcoat, black jeans, a black belt and boots. Add a scarf in a solid colour.
Spring
A graphic tee under an open overshirt or bomber, mid-wash jeans, a tan belt and white trainers.
Summer
A light tee, lighter jeans, a brown belt and clean trainers. Bring a light layer for later in the evening.
Second, third and tenth dates
Once the first date is done, keep the same formula but change the personality piece. Rotate between a graphic tee, a statement hoodie and a knit so you never look like you are wearing a uniform, while still looking like yourself. And if it becomes a relationship, you will have a wardrobe that works for everything from dinner with friends to meeting the parents.
FAQ
What should a man wear on a first date?
Dark jeans, a leather belt, one personality piece such as a graphic tee or knit, and clean shoes.
Can I wear a hoodie on a date?
Yes, for a casual or daytime date. Keep it clean and well fitting, wear it with good jeans and a belt, and add a coat for evenings.
Jeans or chinos for a date?
Jeans are more relaxed and easier to style with statement pieces. Dark denim with a belt is the safest choice.
What colours look good on a date?
Navy, black, white and deep colours such as maroon and forest green suit most people.
How do I look good without trying too hard?
Stick to the formula: good jeans, a belt, one standout piece and clean shoes.
Sources
- RankHero, "date night outfit" keyword data: rankhero.com
- British GQ, military coats at London Fashion Week: gq-magazine.co.uk
