Guys, now is not the time to dress too casually. You’ve gone to all that trouble to join a great online dating site for senior singles. You got some great photos. You’ve posted a profile. You searched the profiles of the single senior ladies at the site and emailed a number of them. You finally asked one special lady out, maybe even two or three. Congratulations, you’ve landed a first date!
You’re gearing up for the first date, showering, shaving, and applying your favorite aftershave to your face as you gaze at your reflection in the mirror.
You are strutting about in front of your mirror telling yourself what a great guy you are, how much fun you’ll have meeting this special lady tonight, and increasing your self-confidence and social ease with your positive self-talk.
Now is not the time to wear only a T-shirt and jeans! Nix the T-shirt. Unless you really are an aging rock star, in which case you may wear anything you like, then leave the T-shirt at home.
How should senior men dress for a first date?
Trust me when I tell you, the lady went to some effort. She will be looking, feeling, and smelling good.
Maybe she got her hair done and visited the nail spa to get a fresh manicure and pedicure. Her makeup and hair are done and look fabulous. Even if she dressed casually, she dressed spiffy casual. She made an effort to look classy and alluring to capture your attention on the first date.
Don’t let the first date fizzle out to a dud date by how you dress. Women feel respected when you make an effort to spiff up for them for the first date.
Your uniform might be the guy ubiquitous tropical-print shirt. For a first date, aim to wear a shirt that is a touch dressier and add a sports jacket. Depending on where you live, you may or may not be wearing a tie. Dressing up for a first date is never a bad thing.
When you go to the effort to look good for your date, she will feel cherished and respected by you, immediately increasing your chances to get a second date. And getting a second date is always the goal of a first date.
I learned the hard way. My daughter (22 yo) said “Dad, it’s better to show up to a party overdressed than under dressed.”
Seems like your daughter has a keen eye!
Hi Troy, oh my goodness, bless her heart for educating her “cool dad” and, lol, aren’t their teen words and advice so humbling? We learn so much from them, don’t we. Well, she has your back. “Dad, spiff it up!” What do you find you are wearing now on First Dates after that tidbit of advice from her?
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
You’re so right April! You put your finger right on it. It’s not that I think a man is a schlump when he dresses down, its that I feel respected and appreciated when he dresses well. I do dress for a date. I want to put my best foot forward when I meet a prospective beau. When he does the same, I feel that he’s showing that he values me and our time together. He cared enough about this opportunity to put in just a bit of extra effort to impress me. I smile when I see a spiffed up man coming my way. It’s a smile that lasts.
Isn’t that just the case? I know one lady who spilled it all True Confessions style who told me how much a man who wore a SUIT which accentuated his (BROAD Masculine!) shoulders did it for her. Guys, learn from that. We ladies just don’t know why we just melt in the presence of those accentuated broad masculine shoulders of yours when you wear a suit or a sports jacket, but my goodness we do. So wear them. She will love it. Because as you can see from all of the ladies responses, we do dress up. We want you to, too. Now it’s a date!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Sorry, I don’t think men (or women) in their 50s should be called ‘Seniors’. When you think of Seniors you think of retired people. Most folks in their 50s are working.
It really depends where you are meeting up for a first date. If it’s for coffee, a polo shirt or sweater is fine.
If it’s at a restaurant then go by what people normally wear to the restaurant.
barbie, just to slide in here, most online dating sites “categorize” age levels with large age boundaries. A 50+ label isn’t as daunting to those who seek a match in that age range. Hope that clarifies it a little bit
When I see a man nicely dressed to meet me- it shows he cares. Nice without being overly fussy is key.
Clothes make the man!
Obviously, how you dress on a first date says a lot to the woman about who you are and that you’re want to make a good impression. But aftershave and a tie, really? I’m in my late 50s and much of this article reads like it was written for my father.
I would also say a tie can come off a bit serious but women in their senior years are still impressed with a clean and cunning look. If you’re going out to lunch or to a park, a tie might be too much but what’s important to take from this article is that you are aware of your presence and your wardrobe!
April, your appearance is judged in less than 7 seconds. Your information is spot on. Great job.
Ps its a really good idea to make sure the shoes are polished and or clean.
I’m glad you agree with our expert, Scott! Nothing wrong with a pair of shiny shoes huh?