New Year, New Romances, New Everything: Your guide on what to wear on a first date:

By: Jonathan Hoffman

It’s possible that someone like you, if you’re anything like me, have the highest hopes for this new semester. You might have failed Spanish 3, been dumped, or lost your favorite American Apparel V-neck, but that is all in the past, totally last year (20 days ago). I believe the best part of the New Year of 2012 is not the Jason Wu for Target collection, but on the first date you get to wear that amazing Jason Wu blouse you just bought. Here’s to 2012 and the many awesome dates you’re going to have. Yeah! So here are my “first date” outfit do’s...  I’m pretty sure my fashion expertise offers a 95% success rate in guaranteeing a 2nd date (;

Guys: The first date is your first impression. Your one shot to woo that special someone. I think it’s important for a guy to put some thought into his first date outfit. Seeing a guy make a visible effort makes the guy 10x more charming. On the first date I think a guy should go safe. Show her/him your more casual but still put together self. A simple solid color button down would be nice. I love cardigans so I might layer it with a solid color cardigan, but that’s just me. Pair it with a dark slim straight jean or khaki and you will be perfection. Shoes! When I go on a date the first thing I look at is what kind of shoes the person is wearing, it can say a lot. Try to steer clear from flip flops and tennis shoes on a date. To be safe pair your outfit with a brown loafer or boot, it will give your casual outfit a more stylish clean look.   

(Button Down- American Apparel $58.00, Jean- Hollister $49.00, Shoes- ALDO $125.00)

       

Girls: You might question my authority on knowing what a girl should wear on the first date, but I grew up with 3 sisters, currently live with 3 girls, and follow Lauren Conrad on Twitter. Are you convinced now? Let’s get started. So for a girl, things are a little more tricky. There are so many things to consider and so many rules out there in the universe, but I’ll just stick to the basics. When choosing your first date outfit, it’s important to remember you’re dressing for a guy, not your fellow fashionista classmates. A guy is not going to know that bright bold colors are in this spring or that you’re wearing the same Chanel knee high boots Kourtney Kardashian wore in the last KK episode. Keep it simple. I’d suggest wearing a solid color or simple patterned knee high dress. If you’d rather wear a pant then I’d suggest a dark skinny bottom with a nice simple top. If your dress or top is really simple then you can embellish the outfit with a blazer or cardigan and accessories like earrings and or a bracelet. Shoes! Ladies, if you haven’t perfected your runway walk in heels or just aren’t comfortable with wearing heels then don’t wear them. Going on a date is stressful enough without adding the pressure of worrying about falling the whole time. So I’d suggest pairing your outfit with a pretty neutral color flat or heel that will compliment your outfit, and you’re ready to go.

(Peach Dress- LuLus.com $36.00, Blue Dress- Forever 21 $24.50, White Blouse- Urban Outfitters $59.00, Pants- Forever 21 $19.80)

So it looks to me like you’re ready for an awesome date. Relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself. One final note- If your special guy or gal doesn’t ask you out on a second date, it’s not because you didn’t look good or because you weren’t amazing, it’s because your date doesn’t have good taste!... Good luck!