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Agreeing to a blind date requires a certain amount of courage. We fear the unknown—I do, anyway—and even though you may know within minutes that "Dan," Lisa’s brother’s coworker, is not for you (oh, Dan, where are you now with your cappuccino foam moustache and that interrupting problem…), there’s always that hope that Steve or Anthony or Sebastian will turn out to be a real dreamboat. So pursuing love at first sight on a blind date doesn’t have to be as counterintuitive as it sounds. You go into a blind date without a lot of control, so focus on what you can control—the impression you make. Here’s how to dress when you don’t know what you’re in for:
A Dress or Not a Dress? That Is the Question
Why the heck not? The real question is choosing what kind of dress you want to wear on your date. I prefer a practical approach to this quandary. Will you be walking much? Most dresses go hand in hand with heels or fancy flats, so a walk along the boardwalk may lead to a graceless blister-limp back to the car. An alternative is a maxi dress, which is the natural mate to a stroll-friendly pair of thong sandals. Conversely, if it’s a beach walk, definitely do rock a frock. Seek out a knee-length number that bares your lower legs to frolic in the foam and pretend you’re in a Chris Isaak video.
The type of dress you wear can also send some signals to your date. A floral print might say, “I’m a lady and expect to be treated as such;” you’ll make a different impression entirely if your idea of a dress is a black studded mini paired with motorcycle boots. Owning a few reliables—a wrap is a must-have—that always make you feel confident will help combat blind-date jitters and relieve decision-making distress.
Va-Va-Va-Venue
Blind dates tend toward innocuous settings, for good reason. True story: six weeks after the fact, I was asked out by a fellow I’d rear-ended on the freeway. I must have had a touch of PTSD because I couldn’t remember what he looked like, so I determined it qualified as a blind date. I decided it was my duty to prove or disprove that life can be like a Kate Hudson movie, but I did at least have the good sense to meet him at a bustling hotel bar. That turned out to be good thinking since he turned out to be a creepy stalker.
Ladies: when it comes to blind dates, pick a public place, and I urge you to consider daytime. But I digress. My point is casual settings warrant casual apparel. Not too casual -- it’s not a pajama party -- but a pair of premium jeans and a sweater or vintage blazer is a no-brainer ensemble for the coffeehouse or Cineplex. And there are many alternatives to denim as well -- leggings, cords and cropped pants are mainstays of casual chic. Save that pricey designer dress you’re dying to trot out for date number five.
Stand Out from the Crowd (But Not Like a Sore Thumb)
Face facts: if he’s going on a blind date with you, there’s a strong chance you’re not the only person he’s seeing. What you wear is a great way to showcase yourself, especially if you might be a little tongue-tied at first. Let your outfit do some of the talking for you, or more literally, wear a “conversation piece.” This is usually an accessory: a chunky ring, an amazing scarf, a necklace with some sort of intriguing emblem or something sentimental with a history you can share with him.
If you’re in a casual enough setting, a graphic T-shirt can jumpstart some discussion, but make sure it’s not printed with the name of your ex-boyfriend’s band. Feel free to make bold style choices, but stay in your comfort zone—you want to feel confident, not like you’re at a costume ball. Most importantly, don’t dress yourself in a physical obstacle. Chandelier earrings are a beautiful complement to an upswept do, but if they jangle the whole night, they’re more likely to distract than dazzle.
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