When it comes to our career, we all know how important it is to dress for success. Women have an innate sense about fashion and know how to select appropriate attire for every occasion. But let’s face it guys: Many of us don’t have a clue about the statement we make with our dating wardrobe.
The truth is, your appearance speaks volumes about you to a woman before you even say hello. The clothes and the man are inseparable when it comes to creating your image. Remember that hot chick you saw at the club last week? Take away the sexy red dress and replace it with a baggy sweatshirt and oversized jeans. Would your impression have been the same? It’s true: clothes really do make the man.
1. The shoes.
Image starts at your toes and works its way up. Make sure you have a sleek modern shoe in brown or black. Loafers, lace-ups, or cowboy boots — they’re all fine as long as the style is modern and they are well-maintained. Rubber soles can make you look cheap, and athletic shoes won’t allow you to be taken seriously. If you want to create an image of a man of value, start with the right shoes.
“The men who seem to be worth a lady’s
time are generally dressed fashionably.”
2. The jeans.
You probably remember when the President threw out the first pitch at the All Star game a couple of years ago. He was derided for weeks for wearing “mom jeans” because of the high waist and loose fit. They even accused him of throwing like a girl, probably based on the image of the unfashionable mom jeans.
The jeans you toss on to run to the store or rake the lawn are not fashion jeans. Fashion jeans are form fitting, not too long, not too short, crisp and attractive. With that said, do not get a waist size that is too small, as that will accentuate the little beer gut if it hangs over your belt. And be comfortable so you can walk normally and don’t have to be adjusting the jewels all night. Blue denim or black are usually the best choices.
3. The shirt.
A basic long sleeve shirt, perhaps with a bit of texture or muted strips, works for most guys. You can roll the sleeves up to your mid-forearm if it gets warm. And try a rustic blazer or sport coat for those days that might be a bit too cool to go without a jacket. No suits, though, guys. Suits are work attire and will make you look out of place. And just one or maybe two buttons open at the neck, unless you want to look like a throwback to the 70s.
If you want a little more flair, you can go with a bolder stripe or a splash of color, but don’t get carried away with something that will stand out too much. The object of attention should be you not the shirt. The clothes have to contribute to the image in a subliminal way.
4. The accent pieces.
Too much jewelry can cheapen your image. A nice modern watch and a leather belt with a modest buckle is really all you need. A thin gold bracelet or necklace might be OK, as long as it is not gaudy and is not too distracting. Also, make sure you don’t pull out a bulging wallet with scraps of paper sticking out everywhere. A wallet should be thin and sleek. Or try a money clip, with nothing bigger than $20 on top.
We’ve all seen a hundred music montages in the movies where the nerdy guy or girl is transformed into a prince or princess by being put into the right clothes. There is a lot of truth in those transformations. Take a little time to see what the confident and successful guys are wearing in the clubs. Watch to see who gets noticed, and pay attention to the image that different guys send to you. The men who seem to be worth a lady’s time are generally dressed fashionably. Don’t doubt it — you can win half the battle just by creating the right appearance with the right clothes.
