
The guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans - can
Pretty much all the ripped-jeans outfit ideas I've gotten have come from pop culture. I might be dating myself here, but I remember being a little kid and watching an episode of the seminal 1980s sitcom Family Ties during which flighty older sister Mallory (Justine Bateman) returns home from a shopping trip, pulls out a pristine pair of designer blue jeans, then takes a scissor from the drawer and starts hacking away, setting the tone for my future obsession with garments that look blatantly well-worn.
In the grungy 1990s, I saw people like Kurt Cobain, Janet Jackson, Christina Applegate, and the entire cast of Beverly Hills 90210 wearing variations of the ripped-jeans outfit, usually in the form of perfectly distressed light-wash Levi's with worn holes at the knees.
Things got crazy in the early 2000s, with stars no longer content rocking jeans with obedient knee tears, but rather aggressive slashes up and down the leg, often paired with a sliver of midriff and not one but two layered tank tops or a silk lace cami.
During the 2010s, boyfriend jeans made waves—slouchy denim that, as the name implies, looked as if it belonged to the person you're sleeping with—many of which had rips in the knees, although denim trends were dictated largely during the latter half of the decade by new cuts, colors, and washes. Which brings us to now.
It appears the ripped jeans have come back around, as evidenced by street-style stars at Fashion Week, retailers from Zara and ASOS to Shopbop and Net-a-Porter. I'm personally interested in the new ways women are styling their holey denim, making it appropriate for weekends and evenings but also, in some cases, the office.
Keep scrolling for a master class on how to wear ripped jeans that feel very 2020.
12 Stylish First Date Outfits for Men (Women Love #5)
You can’t afford to not make a strong first impression
The date is set. You did it, man! You got up the nerve to ask the pretty little lady that’s been on your mind, out on a date. But now you’ve got to figure out what to wear on a first date.
For many, asking out a woman is the hardest, most nerve-wracking part of this entire process. It’s all serenity from here on out.

Until you realized, you don’t know what to wear on your first date.
That’s the whole reason why you’re here.
And I’m here to help guide you through every step of the way of picking out the perfect outfit for your first date.
But first, before jumping into outfit ideas, there are a few things we need to address that will directly affect your outfit decision.
How to Decide What to Wear on a First Date
There are many components that go into deciding what to wear on your first date. Where are you going? Are you wanting a second date with this person? What’s your own personal style?
There are many questions to be asked before choosing your first outfit, and you want to make a great first impression on this woman, I’m sure. And intimidatingly enough, according to scientists from Princeton University, it only takes about 1/10th of a second to form an opinion about someone.
There’s no time to waste. You need to make a strong, great first impression when your date lays eyes on you. Your clothes will speak for you before you even open your mouth, so choose wisely.
Date Location
Your date location is going to directly coincide with your outfit decision. No one wears a suit to a coffee shop at noon, whereas similarly, you don’t want to wear ripped jeans and a simple tee to the fanciest restaurant in town in the evening.

If you’re choosing the date location, then it’s going to say a lot about your personality. Of course, you want to choose a restaurant that will impress her(if you plan on having a second date), but you also want to feel like yourself and comfortable when going on this first date.
No one wants to feel unnecessarily uncomfortable on a first date. So pick a place where you’ll be impressing her, but you can also dress in a way that you feel most comfortable and like yourself.
So once you decide whether you’re going to a fancy restaurant and you’re going to dress it up, or a nice little coffee shop or family-owned restaurant where you can wear an everyday outfit and just spice it up, then we can talk about what you’re going to want to wear.
Personal Style
Listen, you do not want to pretend to be someone you’re not.
This goes for many reasons, but think about this. You show up to your first date dressed like someone you’re not and in a way that you’re not comfortable, but your date is digging it.
Your second/third date comes along and either you have to keep changing who you truly are for this person, or you’ll show your real self and the other person is out.

Or it could go totally vice-versa. You might miss your dream-girl because you were pretending to be someone you’re not, and she doesn’t like this persona or front you’re putting up.
So what I want to encourage you to do is this: Be the best version of yourself on this date.
If you like to wear casual outfits, just accessorize a little and put in the extra effort. If you like to dress it up, then do just that, just make sure your outfit matches the occasion.
Still wondering what to wear on a first date? Don’t worry. We have loads of examples on what to wear on a first date coming up in a jiffy.
First Date Outfit Ideas for Men
So as a man, what should you wear on your first date? Let’s consider the weather: will it be hot or cold outside? Are you going to a restaurant or are you going hiking? Let’s go over some 3 options for any of these possible scenarios.
Casual First Date Outfit for Mens
These 3 casual first date outfits are perfect for a lunch date, an early evening out-to-dinner, or even an evening walk through the town. These outfits feel like you put in the effort, but you didn’t try too hard. Check em out!
Casual First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: A simple sweater with a jean jacket thrown on top, white fitted-jeans, dark brown shoes, and a watch.
This outfit says “I’m professional, yet a good time. I thought about this outfit, but not too hard.”
You match, you look nice, and your date will notice and appreciate the effort you put into this outfit full of neutral colors.
Casual First Date Outfit Option #2.
Outfit combination: Dark denim fitted-jeans, light denim button-up with a mustard knit sweater thrown over top, and of course, a watch. For shoes, if you want to continue a casual vibe, you could wear a pair of Vans or any white sneakers. You could also dress it up by wearing some oxfords or casual dress shoes.
All of these pieces are pretty much staples of anyone’s closet. You can recreate this entire outfit with any fitted-jeans and button-up. Layering your clothes is a huge yes, especially during chilly seasons. If it’s really cold outside, pair this outfit with a scarf and coat.
Casual First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: A pair of pants cuffed at the bottom or rolled up, a short-sleeved button-up, a watch, a necklace, bracelet and watch.
This outfit is simple, and that’s why you can play so much with the accessories. He didn’t go over the top with them, though. The accessories are subtle, and all are in the same color family. Stick to all silver or all gold for aesthetically pleasing results.
This outfit is perfect for any warm day for a walk around or coffee date.
Fancy First Date Outfit for Men
If you really want to woo your date and take her somewhere fancy, then you need your outfit to match the tone of the place you want to take her. Here are three fancy first date outfits.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: White fitted-jeans, A light-blue button-up with the appropriate number of buttons undone (which is 2-3), A brown sports coat, a watch, and leather shoes.
This outfit is fancy, yet still casual, in a sense. It doesn’t feel like you’re about to go to a fancy wedding, but it does say “I’m serious about this and you.”. The perfect fancy date night outfit.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #2.
Of the 12 outfits in this article this is the look that the ladies we polled found like most. While it’s on the fancier side, if you live in a metro area you may be able to pull it off on more casual settings.
You’ll have to be comfortable with this look for it to work, of course.

Outfit combination: Grey and white plaid dress pants, brown leather shoes, matching leather belt, white button-up, bracelets and watch.
You could definitely add a grey or navy sports coat to dress this outfit even more, but this outfit is perfect for a warmer day.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: White button-up, grey vest, colorful handkerchief, dark jeans, and probably black or brown leather dress shoes.
This outfit is as manly as it is fancy. It’s perfect for when it’s too warm outside to wear a coat on top. The handkerchief gives this neutral outfit the perfect amount of color to stand out.
First Date Outfit for The Movies
Going to the movies is always a safe option for a first date. It’s casual, fun, and you automatically have something to talk about after the movie is over. Here are three perfect first date outfits to wear to the movies.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: Grey ripped jeans, grey t-shirt, black leather jacket, white sneakers, brown pack-pack.
We all know that the movie theatre is a little bit chillier than it should be. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show off your chivalry. Wear a jacket to the movies and when she’s cold, offer your jacket to her.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #2.

Outfit combination: black skinny jeans + slim chain, black boots, black tee, brown suede jackets, and watch.
The suede jacket here is the key piece to the entire outfit. It gives it just enough color to make the all-black outfit stand out. It’s a classic outfit and is still stylish.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: black ripped skinny jeans, white t-shirt, open button-up, white sneakers.
This outfit is so simple, yet very nice. It’s the perfect casual outfit, but you still look put together. The ultimate lazy boy outfit. Everyone, literally, everyone has all of these pieces in their closet. It’s just all up to how you pair and style them.
Sporty First Date Outfits for Men
Maybe you and the girl you asked out are a little more active than the average person and want to do something different, like hiking, rock-climbing, or going to play mini-golf or frisbee. There’s a way to look nice and sporty. Here are three outfits for you to be inspired by for your outdoorsy date.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: Black sweatpants with white stripe, black simple tee, watch, sunglasses, and black and white sneakers.
This is a prime example of how to be ready to run around and be sporty, while still being fashionable. Find some dressy sweatpants and wear some nice, clean sneakers, and you’re set.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #2.

Outfit combination: Green sweatpants, grey t-shirt with cuffed sleeves, a sporty watch, a bracelet, and white sneakers.
Another way to style a simple t-shirt and change the entire look of it, is by simply rolling up the sleeves. By doing this, it looks like you put more effort into your outfit. It’s such an easy trick that spices up your entire look and it only takes a few seconds to do.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: grey shorts, long green tee, white sneakers, and a cap turned backward.
A simple outfit like this needs to be accessorized. A hat, a watch, a bracelet, or anything will make this outfit look 10x better and will show that you have a sense of style and that you put some effort and thought into making a simple outfit look better.
Final thoughts
Before closing out, I just want to say a few more things.
Sometimes, it’s not about the clothes you wear, but how they fit you. The same shirt in two different sizes will look completely different on you. Don’t go too tight that it looks too small on you, but not too baggy that it looks like it’s a size too big.
Be well-groomed. Trim your beard, get a last-minute haircut. Show her you care about how you look and take care of yourself. By caring for yourself, you show that you’re capable of caring for others as well.
Be safe. If you’re meeting (or thinking about meeting) an online date, make sure you do a little background check on them to make sure they’re legit. DateID can help you know who you’re meeting a little bit better. It may even help you come up with ways to dazzle her with great first date conversation topics.
And most importantly, be yourself. Confidence is everything. You could have all the knowledge and money in the world, but not have a good time with your date because you’re not confident with who you are. Have fun, let loose, be you, and enjoy your first date. Read more of our best online dating tips for men.
I hope you found these idea on what to wear on a first date helpful. Let us know in the comments which outfit was your favorite and what you’ll be wearing on your next first date!
How to Dress Up
Parties are often preceded by fun questions, like what to give? Who to bring (if you have a plus one, that is)? When to arrive? And, crucially, what to wear? Most of us don’t just happen to have a floor-length silk gown or a tailcoat hanging around in our closet, waiting for the day our Met Gala invite finally arrives. But would that even be the right kind of thing to wear to such an event? We’ve got answers, and options, for every possible occasion on your social calendar.
Why Do We Dress Up?
Social obligations are not prerequisites for feeling great about your appearance. You can dress up simply because looking good makes you happy. But more often than not, the situations where we put a lot of care into our outfits are big events with explicit dress codes. The best-case scenario is that we’re dressing for both reasons: because it boosts our self-esteem and because we want to look situationally appropriate.
Still, knowing what is appropriate can be a head-scratcher. The dress code might be implied, and even when it’s made explicit, the jargon can be difficult to decode. Which is why we spelled it out for you here.
If the invitation says...
- Casual: You do not need to dress up. Sneakers, jeans and T-shirts are all acceptable, and even encouraged.
- Dressy casual: You should dress up, but only a little. It’s often just a matter of wearing nicer shoes, a snazzier top or pants that aren’t blue jeans (though denim is fine with the right kind of shirt -- more on that later).
- Business attire: You should dress as someone might for a client-facing job. Of course, there is plenty of variation within this category. It might mean a suit, a knee-length skirt, or a blazer and khaki bottoms. But it definitely means no jeans and no sneakers.
- Cocktail: You should dress much nicer than you do every day. Try separates in satin, silk or velvet. Suits. When in doubt, wear black.
- Black tie: You should wear a very elegant dress – say, a long gown or a cocktail dress that’s on the fancier side – or a tuxedo.
- White tie: You should look very fancy. Tailcoats, floor-length gowns and, potentially, white gloves are all on the table.
Now let’s get specific.
Casual
Dos
Jeans and a T-shirt: When the most casual of outfits is perfectly acceptable, you might as well go with it.
Khakis, modest shorts, day dresses and skirts
Anything cotton or linen: In the summertime especially, it’s more pleasant to wear breathable fabrics, and these can easily be dressed up or down.
Basically, you want to dress like any of the characters on your favorite sitcom routinely do: in comfortable clothing that is neither ostentatious nor schlubby.
Don'ts
Graphic T’s: Plain T-shirts are great, but ones with inflammatory words or images might be better left at home. The Emily Post Institute, whose mission is to educate people about etiquette, advises against shirts that bear slogans altogether.
Anything clearly ripped or stained: It’s a matter of self-respect more than anything, but it also shows respect for your host and fellow guests when you dress in clean clothes. Intentional distressing on denim is fine.
Uncomfortable clothing: This is always a don’t, but there’s no reason to dress outside your comfort zone when the dress code is casual. The idea is to come as you are.
Where Casual is Appropriate
- Friendly gatherings: BBQs, housewarming parties
- Informal dinner outings
- Traveling
Dressy Casual
Dos
Dress: A shirt dress or a sweater dress can appear refined and relaxed at once.
Blouse or button-down shirt: You can’t go wrong with a crisp, classic top. Add a blazer to dress the look up a notch or two.
Dark denim: Unfaded indigo or black jeans can make an outfit feel instantly more evening-appropriate.
“Going-out top”: These shirts – often constructed from synthetic materials and sometimes bought cheaply from fast-fashion stores – are meant to make a casual look a little more club-ready. Ultimately, a going-out top is anything that makes you feel good.
Jumpsuit: It’s a stylish one-piece alternative to the dress that can be scaled for elegance. Boiler suits in particular are very trendy this year.
Don'ts
Sneakers: unless they are very clean and not the type you would wear to the gym
Shorts: just don't.
Where Dressy Casual is Appropriate
- A first date
- Most nights out with friends (unless the dress code is explicit).
Business
Dos
If business casual: khakis or dark dress pants; a button-down shirt; sport coat or blazer; tie optional.
If business formal: dark suit, dress shirt and dress shoes; silk tie; sheath dress; pencil skirt. Think Kerry Washington on “Scandal,” or any of the esteemed actors on USA Network’s “Suits.”
Don'ts
Sneakers, not even nice ones: They will make you stand out in a bad way.
Jeans: Business attire is not the same as tech company work attire.
Clothing that distracts. Our fashion critic Vanessa Friedman says that “clothes should not be the focus of attention,” which means “they should not be what colleagues or friends remember after a meeting.”
Anything that makes you wonder, “Is this a bad idea?” If you’re thinking it before you leave the house, your thoughts will only get louder throughout the day.
When Business Attire is Appropriate
- Most workplaces and related events
- Networking mixers
- Job interviews
- Conferences
Cocktail/Semi Formal
Dos
Dress: You’ll want to wear a dress that is made of a refined fabric (like silk, lace or taffeta) and cuts around the knee. It should be much more formal than a sundress, but less formal than a ballgown. Most department stores and online retailers have sections devoted to party dresses, and any of those should do.
Suit: Most people wear dark suits to occasions with this dress code, but if the event is a daytime party, a light suit (beige, gray) is totally fine.
Dressy separates: If you wear a very snazzy top (think sequins or silk), you can probably get away with dress pants (say, velvet) or a skirt on the bottom.
Jumpsuit: Everyone wears dresses. Why not do wear something that makes a statement?
Dress shoes, pumps
When in doubt, wear black.
Don'ts
Anything too short or tight (unless you love being physically uncomfortable for hours at an event).
Jeans: This is definitely not the time or place for America’s favorite pant.
Plain cotton anything.
When Cocktail/Semi Formal is Appropriate
- Some weddings
- Evening fundraisers
- Proms and other formal school events
Open Thread
A look from across The New York Times at the forces that shape the dress codes we share, with Vanessa Friedman as your personal shopper. Sent weekly.
Black Tie
Dos
Dress: Long gown or a very elegant cocktail dress: This can be elevated with jewelry and other accessories.
Tuxedo
Pumps or strappy sandals
Black wingtips or oxfords
Remember how the characters on “Gossip Girl” dressed for special occasions? That’s the bar here.
Don'ts
It’s not a strict rule, but most people advise against bright colors for practical reasons: They’re harder to rewear and more difficult to clean.
Scuffed shoes: Even if they are dress shoes, you want them to be in tip-top condition.
When Black Tie is Appropriate
White Tie
Dos
Floor-length gown
Tailcoat jacket
Jewels
Long white gloves: optional, and sort of extra, but isn’t that the point?
Looking like royalty is the ideal outcome.
Don'ts
An above-the-knee dress
Suit: Your business attire is dapper, but it’s not welcome here!
When White Tie is Appropriate
- A very, very fancy wedding, if explicitly stated on the invitation
- The Met Gala, or any fund-raiser of its caliber
Tips and Advice
How to Save Money
Dressing up, even once in a while, can easily become expensive. Anyone who is familiar with the marathon of weddings that begins in one’s 20s and never really ends knows that dressing up can feel like an expensive chore. You can’t really help it that you’re popular or that your friends are in love, but preparing for these celebrations and gatherings doesn’t have to break the bank.
- Shop smart: Knowing where to buy occasion wear is half the battle, and not everyone’s recommendations will fit your idea of what’s affordable. The easiest and least expensive option is to browse what online retailers like Lulus and Asos have to offer. There are also fairly affordable sustainable brands like Reformation whose garments may incur a smaller carbon footprint. Second-hand and consignment stores can also have gems from high-quality labels. If you can’t find any such stores locally, the RealReal and thredUP resell clothes from luxury and midpriced brands.
- Rent, don’t buy: Truly no one needs to own a ballgown. Companies like Rent the Runway (now offering an Unlimited subscription service) and Armarium let you pick from a trove of designer offerings, then return the wares after your special occasion is history.
- Rewear your look: It can be costly to buy a new outfit for every occasion on your social calendar. If you purchase pieces that are basic enough (the simple black cocktail dress, for example) you can wear them over and over again. Tiffany Haddish has done it on the red carpet, and we all stand to learn from her eco- and budget-friendly example.
- Ask a friend: Maybe you know someone who has a dress or a suit you can borrow. Think of it as a rental, but free! But make sure to offer to pay for their dry cleaning so that the loan is no imposition.
How to Make it Look Good
Speaking of which, clothing – especially dressy clothing – should not simply be worn. It often requires alterations or D.I.Y. hacks to look as good as possible. And, crucially, garments should be cared for, especially when they are costly or beloved. Here are some things to consider:
- Alterations: If you’ve purchased a piece that doesn’t fit quite like a glove, or you have a well-worn outfit that’s due for some fixes, you might want to visit a tailor or a dry cleaner who performs alterations ahead of your event. Before you just walk into the nearest shop, it’s worth asking friends for recommendations: Once the fabric is cut, it can’t really be restored. Wherever you go, make sure you drop off the garment at least three weeks before you’ll need to wear it.
- Shapewear: Let’s start by saying that everyone’s body is wonderful and nothing must be done to make it look good in a dress. But, if you would like your clothes to lay smooth and flat on your person, there are plenty of things you can buy. The folks at Spanx and Commando produce seamless undergarments that are virtually undetectable underneath even the slinkiest dresses.
- Tape: If after the alterations and shapewear, something about your outfit still feels precarious, there’s always good old tape. Kim Kardashian proudly uses it to secure her dresses and decolletage, and she says gaffer tape works best. There’s also fashion tape and toupee tape, which are really just two types of double-sided tape with fancy names.
- Ironing and steaming: Creases can put a wrinkle in anyone’s plans to look great, so before you go out, consider ironing or steaming your outfit and putting it on a hanger so that it retains its polished appearance. Our friends at Wirecutter recommend Maytag's M400 iron for those who are in the market. Handheld steamers are a great investment, too, as they travel well and work like a charm.
- Cleaning and other garment care: It’s worth noting that your wares will get dirty. Our friend Alainna Lexie Beddie at T Magazine has solutions for all of the stains and scuffs your clothes and shoes are likely to incur given your busy social schedule.
How to Upgrade Any Look
Sometimes a dress code can feel rote – more like a uniform than an expression of personal style. This is especially true if you’ve built up a wardrobe of rewearable pieces and they’ve each made appearances at several occasions. Here are a few ways to make sure your outfit comes together and feels fresh:
- Accessories: By this point, you’ve picked the perfect outfit. You will look great no matter what. But if you have the time and means, consider the distinguishing details. Have you thought about jewelry? What tie you’ll wear? How you’ll carry your necessities? Whether you’ll need a coat, and which one to wear? These questions are best addressed at least a week prior to the event, so you have time to shop or borrow from a friend if needed. Or maybe the answer is in your closet. If you always sport a silk tie, for example, you could try that knit one you got as a gift but haven’t worn yet.
- Hair: Maybe you show up to work with wet hair every day. That’s O.K.! But you probably don’t want to do it on your best friend’s wedding day. Special occasions can present an opportunity for a haircut (at least a couple days in advance), or a hairdo (likely the day of). As long as your hair doesn’t appear visibly slept-on, greasy or otherwise unkempt, you’re doing fine.
- Nails: Again, none of this is obligatory, and you should only do it if it makes you feel happy. Does getting your nails done make you feel happy? Yes? Then do it! If not … maybe just cut them and make sure they’re clean.
About the Author
Bonnie Wertheim is a staff editor in the Styles section. She loves to get dressed, most often in oversized clothes and clogs.
Things You Should Never Wear On A Date
By Amy Sciarretto/Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 10:26 am EDT
What you wear on a date can be important. Date attire requires careful thought and consideration. But we don't mean date night attire for an evening out with your longtime love or significant other. Rather, date outfits for a get-together with a new suitor need to be deliberately planned.
You don't want to wear anything too sexy, too thrown together, or too calculated. You want to be comfortable and cute, without being too revealing. You also want to look like yourself. That said, you don't want to send unintentional or mixed messages, either. Obviously, what you wear definitely communicates a variety of things to your date. Selecting your ensemble is of critical importance. Here are all the things that you should never wear on a date — though, of course, it's ultimately up to you.
Reconsider wearing thigh-high boots on a date
Thigh-high boots are a total no-no when you're choosing what to wear on a date. Josie May, a love and dating coach, pointed out to The List that these sexy stompers "may look good when you go out dancing with your girlfriends. But unfortunately, on a date, they give off a hooker vibe."
You're not going for Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman before she went shopping with Richard Gere's credit cards on Rodeo Drive. You also don't want to send an overtly sexy message that makes you appear too available or — even worse — easy.
Play up your allure and your mystique, rather than strutting around in this sort of attention-seeking (and getting!) footwear.
Too-tight clothing won't be comfortable to wear on a date
Fit is everything. Antonia Hall, a psychologist, relationship and dating expert and award-winning author, warns against clothes that don't quite fit, especially those that are too small, when you're getting ready for a date. "If your clothes are too tight, it tells the person that you have low self-esteem and are trying to gain attention in the wrong ways," she said. You'll also be fidgeting and fussing with your clothes, which is distracting for both parties.
Rori Sassoon, an image consultant, relationship expert, and CEO and co-founder of elite matchmaking service Platinum Poire, also points to fit as a critical element of a date outfit. Avoid "something that you can't get into and out of, on your own," Sassoon told The List. "What if you need to go to the bathroom and you can't undo the zipper? What are you going to do? Ask your date to unzip you?"
That sends a message you likely didn't intend. "They are going to think, 'She wants me, and she wants me bad,'" Sassoon said. "Then you're going to have to ask them to zip you back up and you'll look like a tease."
Avoid wearing too-loose clothing on a date
If you go the opposite route and wear clothes that are roomy and falling off your body on a date, you can appear sloppy and disinterested in either yourself or the date — or both.
"If your clothes are baggy and loose, you'll look like you didn't put in an effort and just don't really care," psychologist and dating expert Antonia Hall said. Instead, she recommends that you "wear something that fits and shows off your figure without being too sexual and you'll make the best impression."
Baggy may be comfy, but wear something that you love, that fits just right, and shows off the real you!
Clothing with brand icons aren't the best option to wear on a date
Avoid icons and brand names on a date, so you don't look like a walking advertisement when you throw on something to wear on a date. Plus, that's all a bit too casual. Author, speaker, and healer Jaya Jaya Myra told The List, "Never wear clothing that contains slogans or noticeable brand icons. Clothing is meant to be more subtle than that, and properly picked clothing can elevate your ability to communicate with your date."
Plus, you don't want your Hollister hoodie distracting him or communicating with him in your stead. Myra further stated, "You want your date to get to know you without having preconceived notions of who you are before you ever open your mouth — and that won't happen if your clothes broadcast an idea more loudly than your conversation does."
It's a bad idea to wear clothes with slogans on a date
Don't show up to a date wearing silly or corny outward messages on your shirt, either. Celebrity matchmaker Bonnie Winston reminded The List that no one wants to be the butt of a bad joke, saying, "I had a client who was with a man who bought a shirt on the Venice Beach boardwalk. The shirt said, 'I'm with stupid.' He wanted her to wear it and she said. 'No.' They broke up over it... Not everyone has the same sense of humor!"
"One should not wear slogan tees to avoid embodying the slogan for the duration of the date," said Dawnn Karen, MA, EdMc of the fashion psychology field, a discipline that focuses on the hidden synergy between fashion and psychology and the study and treatment of color, beauty, style, image, and shape and its affect on human behavior while addressing cultural sensitivities and norms. Slogan shirts are so unnecessary in this scenario.
Dirty attire is a big no-no when picking out what to wear on a date
While Vanity Capital's Kaitlin Kapur is "not a fan of telling people what they can or cannot wear because style is such a fun way for an individual to express themselves," there's one thing that's totally unacceptable for people to wear on a date: clothes with stains.
Kapur told The List, "One thing you should always avoid is clothing that is dirty and or wrinkled." Don't yank clothes out of your hamper. Make sure your date clothes are clean, pressed, and fresh. Dirty and stained clothes can make you appear messy or unkempt in life and love.
Sports bras are not something people should wear on a date
Professional matchmaker Susan Trombetti draws the line at athletic attire. "Don't ever show up in a date wearing a sports bra," she told The List. "Save it for the gym. I don't care if you are meeting for happy hour drinks at the bar next to the gym and you have a great bod. It's not appropriate, it can be too sexy, it can say 'I don't care,' and it's all too revealing at the same time."
If you are thinking, "Who the hell would wear a sports bra on a date?" — and we certainly were — Trombetti confirmed that it's more common than you think.
Besides, date bras can be sexy and lacy. They can give you confidence, and, if they play peek-a-boo, it's a little tease that adds intrigue and mystery.
Don't be afraid to add color to an all-black wardrobe when deciding what to wear on a date
Yes, black is fashionable and slimming. It's also the preferred monochromatic clothing color of many women. But celebrity matchmaker Bonnie Winston wants you to lighten up when it comes to what you wear on a date.
"Please don't dress as if you're attending a funeral, date, after date, after date," she advised. "The message is very depressing. At least, try to lighten things up with a few colorful accessories." If you're someone who personally abides by an "all black everything" style and is only comfortable in head-to-toe black, don't just nix this suggestion. Try to see Winston's point. We recommend mixing black and gray. That way, you can rock shades of black but you won't give off the goth vibe. Because #compromise.
Maybe skip the tight skirts on date night
Tight skirts are to be avoided on a date, as well, according to Diane Pollack, a wardrobe consultant in New York City. Pollack warns against tight skirts, since they can ride up and cause you to be fidgeting with them (and likely being visibly uncomfortable) instead of concentrating on the conversation or how cute your date is.
"Never wear something that is uncomfortable and doesn't fit," Pollack told The List. "For instance, that tight skirt that keeps riding up and you keep needing to pull it down. Or the top that won't stay up and you keep having to pull it up. Or those 'killer' stilettos that are really killing your feet. Basically... anything that you are pre-occupied with is going to detract from you being present and having fun on the date."
It's best to avoid distracting prints when deciding what to wear on a date
Distracting prints are no bueno because they draw attention away from you. Emmy Award-winning stylist David Zyla, author of Color Your Style and How to Win at Shopping, reminded The List, "When dressing for a date, avoid all prints, logos, and anything that distracts from you." As a remedy, Zyla said to focus on particular bodily real estate when choosing what to wear on a date.
He further noted, "Since most dates are over dinner or drinks, always dress as you would for a portrait, aka from the waist up, employing your most flattering color and a neckline that follows the shape of your jaw. Hint: The most flattering item to wear on a date is a top or dress in your favorite lipstick color, guaranteed to bring out the sexiest, most romantic side of you."
Don't wear things on a date that you wouldn't normally wear
Don't dress for a date like someone a friend wouldn't recognize. In other words, don't present yourself as someone you aren't when picking out what to wear on a date. Rose Jubb, a wardrobe stylist in Portland who specializes in helping women claim more confidence and reach their goals, told The List, "The one thing a woman should never wear on a date is anything that makes her feel like someone she is not. Basically, don't fish with the wrong bait. Be yourself, but the slightly polished version, and you'll reel in the keepers who love you for you."
Dating experts say to not put on perfume before a date
Pause the perfume, people. April Davis, dating expert and CEO of LUMA Luxury Matchmaking, says to nix fragrance when going on a date, which might seem counterintuitive, since aromas can be sexy and alluring and can allow your date to remember you. But they can also overwhelm the olfactory sense.
"Sure, your favorite scent makes you feel like a bombshell," Davis told The List. "But that doesn't mean he will think the same. We're all sensitive to smell and if you chose the wrong scent, you might be risking it all! Save the perfume for when you have your new love interest on lock down!"
Sweaters aren't the best choice when choosing what to wear on a date
You can end up appearing frumpy if you choose to wear a loose sweater on a date. "A huge attire mistake for a first date — primarily in the fall or winter — is sweaters," dating expert April Davis said. "They're cute and cozy, but they're more of a third or fourth date kind of thing."
Unless you regularly go for that pinup look with a fuzzy, angora fabric, which can be a little too much during the "getting to know you" phase, "sweaters aren't usually form-fitting and can be a little frumpy," she noted. "The first few dates are your time to spark interest," Davis explained. Yes, mystery is nice, but you don't want to crush their imagination with an outfit their mom might have worn last Christmas."
Don't wear shoes you can't walk in on a date
Marilyn Monroe once said, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." You can wear flats. You can wear heels. Just make sure you wear what you can walk in for your date.
Personal shopper and expert stylist Jocelyn Kaye weighed in on date footwear, telling The List, "Nothing kills the mood more quickly than feeling physically uncomfortable. Dates often take serendipitous turns and we find ourselves walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or on a romantic stroll through a park — a little adventure is a true aphrodisiac! Feeling comfortable and confident is key so opt for a kitten or block heel rather than a stiletto, if you go with heels."
Really high heels can cause trouble on a date
However, if you are a total Carrie Bradshaw and are most comfortable in towering heels, so be it. Just be sure to know what your date has planned, since you can't wear six-inch pumps if you're going to be doing a lot of walking. If the date is a surprise, manage your heel height. Fashion blogger Billie Jean Bateson told The List, "The most important thing you should never wear on a date is extremely high heels — above three inches — if you don't know where you will go."
What if your suitor has a romantic stroll planned? Imagine how miserable you'd be in sky-high heels! Bateson continued, "No matter how amazing they look, you have to admit that they are uncomfortable and you don't want to hobble the whole time, especially if he wants to prolong the date and suggests you take a stroll down to the river. It's gonna be a nightmare, believe me!" Wearing comfy shoes means "you can be ready for anything without fear," according to Bateson.
Compromise with a manageable heel height, as recommended by stylist Jocelyn Kaye.
Noisy jewelry can be too loud on a date
Noisy accessories are also not appropriate for a date. Dating and relationship coach Christine Baumgartner believes that what "a woman shouldn't wear on a date is noisy jewelry." Baumgartner explained, "I encourage women to occasionally touch their hair, since men like seeing this, the arm of their date, since this breaks the personal space barrier between them and also lets the woman see how she feels when she touches him, and to sometimes use their hands while they talk because it can show how passionate they are about the subject. And wearing jewelry that makes sounds would be very distracting."
Quiet accessories are preferred to prevent any additional distraction while getting tactile with your date!
Take off your sunglasses before going on a date
The eyes are the windows to the soul, so don't block yourself from connecting with someone on a deeper level by wearing shades on a date. "Everyone looks better in a pair of designer sunglasses, but it stops the one thing you want from a first date: that soul-level connection," said relationship coach Dr. Siva. "If the eyes are the windows to the soul, why hide them? Men tell me that it makes women look unapproachable and also distant. Many of them do not even click on women wearing sunglasses in their dating profiles."
It's been scientifically proven that the whites of the eyes deliver lots of messages. Siva explained, "The sclera (whites) of your eyes are designed to enhance communication with your partner by showing which way you are looking. Studies show we naturally learn this as babies, even before we can speak."
So ditch the Ray-Bans and the Diors if you want to connect for real.
Save the sloppy undies for laundry day, not your date
Carina Pedersen, resident "Knicker Lady" and concierge stylist at [Enclosed], a luxury lingerie company, suggests keeping undies private — but pretty — for your date.
"Heaven forbid you show up to a first date in ugly undergarments," she told The List. "You are only doing yourself a disservice, as nothing eats away at your self-confidence like unflattering and uncomfortable knickers. On that first date, you want to feel desirable, attractive, and sensual. The way you feel on the inside projects onto your interaction with your date and a little extra boost of confidence can go a long way."
Throw on some sexy undies, even if it's only you who knows you are wearing them. "Wearing fantastic lingerie under your clothes on a date doesn't have to be overtly sexual, it can (and might) remain your little secret," Pedersen explained. "The bottom line is if you feel empowered and sexy, your partner will notice too."
Yoga pants aren't the right bottoms to wear on a date
The "are leggings pants?" argument is a both a raging and prevalent one, with fashion types firmly divided on the issue. That said, leggings and yoga pants are popular. They are also fine for exercise, for running errands, for grabbing coffee with your friends, and for dressing up with an oversized top and heels. They are, however, crossed off the date attire list.
"Leave the yoga pants at home," said wardrobe stylist Rose Jubb. "Every item of clothing serves a purpose, but I'd never tell you to wear a cocktail dress to Pilates."
On a date, do you, be you
At the end of the day, you can wear whatever you like and are comfortable in on a date. Do you, be you. These tips are simply designed to provide some help along the way. Laura Bilotta, a dating coach and matchmaker in Toronto, noted that "deciding what to wear on a date is stressful; you want to look attractive, yet effortless, which is tricky. Ultimately, the number one thing that you shouldn't wear on a date is something you aren't comfortable wearing."
That extends to physical and emotional comfort. "If you're constantly going to be pulling down your dress, checking to see if you bra is showing or not paying attention because your feet hurt too much, then you aren't going to have a good time, and your date probably won't either," she says.
Try your date outfit on and wear it once prior to a date. Test-driving the ensemble will remove the margin for error. "If you're comfortable in the outfit you've chosen, you can relax and focus on your date," says Bilotta.
Of course, style is about more than just clothes—it encompasses our entire aesthetic existence. So if your partner wears jackets with a million unnecessary zippers, then good luck decorating your apartment. Even if you like their style, it can be a struggle. Just last week my boyfriend and I spent all Sunday arguing over whether the living room needed a tacky pink velvet chaise lounge (clearly) or this creepily heavy oak rocking chair that looks like a prop in Rosemary’s Baby. I wondered, Am I in an aesthetically abusive relationship?
But can a style clash ever be a turn-on? My friend Kaitlin, a fiery redhead with strong Twitter opinions, argues that in rare cases, the impossible may be possible.
Kaitlin met her boyfriend a few years ago, when she DM’d him about buying one of his paintings. “I was single and boy crazy,” Kaitlin told me, “so I thought every guy I met could potentially turn into a thing. But when I showed up to his studio, he was wearing pink camo pants, crocs, and ear gauges. He looked like the sort of person who likes music, you know what I mean? I immediately thought, Okay, friend zone.”
Yet, astoundingly, his personality transcended his stretched-out earlobes, and they started dating. At first, his style was like the third person in their relationship. Kaitlin told me, “He has this one T-shirt with a drawing of Snow White bent over backwards, fingering herself. When we went out, I could see people staring at his shirt and then frowning at me, as if him not wearing a suit indicated some moral failing on my part.”
But over time she found his defiant attitude contagious. “People always lie and say they don’t care what people think, but my boyfriend truly doesn’t care. I secretly admire it. Because imagine the opposite: a guy who self-consciously wears James Perse shirts and buys his jeans at Barneys.” Agreed: offensive.
Clearly, there’s a difference between having a style and being stylish. And after experiencing her boyfriend’s annoyingly personal wardrobe, Kaitlin wondered whether, tragically, she was the latter. “The way my boyfriend dresses is so specific to him. He’s so himself, and it’s extremely appealing. Like, I obviously didn’t think I’d grow up to date someone who wears joke T-shirts. That’s not my Hollywood fantasy. But whatever, he’s literally the coolest person I know—way cooler than anyone who thinks his shirts are dumb.” Essentially, confidence trumps everything.
What Your Outfit Says to Him
Can’t decide what to wear on a first date? While you can dress for a first date based on your zodiac sign, if you’re straight girl looking to get with a straight guy — we rounded up some hetero men to give you quality feedback and insights into their brains. Here are our expert straight dudes with fashion opinions to guide you.
Busting out a pair of jeans
You’re in luck. Men like jeans. As Victoria Beckham says in her style guide That Extra Half an Inch, “More than any other piece of clothing, jeans can show off your figure at its best,” and this is not lost on guys. “I love seeing a girl in stylish jeans and a cute top. This is a simple outfit that shows confidence, a casual mood, sexiness, and also lets me know that she’s just being herself,” says Nathan, 31. Twenty-eight-year-old Tyler’s all-time favourite date outfit was “ripped jeans, a cute jacket and red patent high heels.”
Slipping on some heels
We all know that men find heels sexy, but apparently, they’re not a necessity. “I don’t notice shoes for the most part,” says Nathan. “I think the best outfits are the ones that combine style with comfort.” Tyler agrees: “I’ve dated girls who I have to hold on to because they can barely walk in their heels. Heels should only be worn if you are confident and want to wear them.” And for Michael, 25, when girls start choosing high tops over heels, “I’ll be in heaven.”
Pulling on those sexy boots
Boots must signal something deep in the sexy psyche of men. They seem to have very strong–and usually positive–reactions to the idea. “I can’t say why, but I love the look of knee-high boots,” says Nathan. Mike, 30, is even more exuberant: “Love ’em! Love! ‘Em!” High-top-loving Michael has mixed feelings: “With the right outfit they say sexy, with the wrong outfit they say, ‘would you like a lap dance?'”
Picking out the perfect accessories
Don’t worry too much about your accessories. Guys don’t notice jewellery unless you’re wearing too much. “The odds of any straight man parsing the psychology of earring length are beyond small. Odds are, we’re checking out how her boobs are presented and trying not to be caught,” says Mike.

Going for ultra femme with dresses
Dresses might say that you’re dressed up. They might say nothing at all. Both Mike and Nathan expect a dress if it’s warm enough to wear one. But it doesn’t rate higher than nice jeans and a sexy top.
Going fancy
While a casual dress is fine, the general consensus is that being over-dressed can be overkill. “Personal style says a lot about the individual,”says Nathan. “When I see a girl who over-dresses, it screams that she’s making up for something with decoration.” Josh, 26, is wary of label whores. “Name brands usually mean the night isn’t dutch. Be careful: she probably has zero sense of humour,” he says.
Keeping it really, really casual
We’ve discovered that jeans are a good thing but that doesn’t mean that your oldest jeans and grubby sneakers are date-appropriate. “If she shows up in runners, jeans and a T-shirt, then I know there really wasn’t much effort put in to looking her best. I want the girl to be comfortable in what she is wearing but I hope that she wants to look your best for me as well,” says Tyler.
Putting on a face of makeup
It’s true that we can get away with wearing more makeup than we’d admit to and still look fresh as a daisy–and that’s the way it should be. Guys just don’t get glitter. They truly are interested in what your face looks like. And, says Michael, “Too much makeup is the ultimate turn off!” Mike adds, “If someone is too elaborately made up, I worry I would spend weekends waiting for her to get ready, answering a never-ending barrage of this-top-or-this-top questions.”
Ramping up the sexy
This is where the truth comes out. As down-to-earth as guys want you to be, they will not argue if you dress like a bit of a sex kitten. Not overly dressy of course, and not half naked (“If you have to make an effort not to stare down at certain places, that’s awkward,” says Tyler) but subtly sexy is good. “If a girl is comfortable and confident in tight clothing showing lots of skin then I’m all for it,” says Nathan. According to Mike, “Sexy is not a turnoff. Sex is a completely happy outcome for any first date. Whether it leads to a second date, that depends on how date number one goes.”
Written by Vanessa Grant
Nasty Gal/Macys
1. “Hey, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, those are definitely jeans!” Guys may not know much about every type of jean, but they know how to spot a pair of jeans when they see them. It’s like spiders. They’re very distinct and even if you can’t name every single species of spider, you still get it.
2. “Those are some tight jeans.” The only thing better than seeing a lady in a pair of jeans is seeing a lady in a tight pair of jeans. We can’t help it, we like it, but we have to wonder ., the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. can you breathe? And if we are lucky enough to be with you, your jeans, and nothing else one night, will we physically have the strength to shimmy them off without looking like an idiot?
3. “Those are some short jeans.” Here’s the thing: Men like short jeans. They like tight jeans. We don’t need to discuss why. But when you get jeans that are so tight, and so short that instead of appreciation, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, a man’s initial reaction is to question how those are even possible to get on . those jeans are too short.
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4. “Now those … those jeans are practical jeans.” Sometimes, we see a pair of jeans and we think to ourselves, That pair of jeans seems like it had mobility in mind.
5, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. “Wow, what a crazy color for jeans!” Men don’t typically get a lot of options in terms of jean colors. So when we see a fun color like green or pink, we get very jealous. As it stands, the typical male jean colors are blue, black, gray, and beige. But if guys had our pick and could have any color jeans we wanted, we’d probably pick colors like blue, black, gray, and beige. So I guess that explains everything.
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6. “Hey, is that selvage denim?” This is only a thing that a guy can think about your jeans if he knows what ‘selvage denim’ is in the first place. And if he’s bringing up selvage denim as a topic of conversation, he’s either really, really, really into jeans or you’ve run out of things to talk about.
7. “Man, I thought those were jeans, but it turns out they’re jeggings. Pretty tricky.” As a man, it sucks leaning in to take a closer look at a pair of jeans only to find out it’s a different fabric altogether. This is what many people refer to as “false advertising.”
8. “I wonder if those jeans came distressed or if she just does a lot of physical activity.” There are two kinds of people in this world: people who buy ripped jeans, and the kind of people who rip their own jeans after buying them to make it look like they buy their jeans pre-ripped.
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9. "At what point do they stop becoming ’distressed jeans’ and start becoming ’loose pieces of fabric’?" Why take a pair of jeans that’s so shredded it barely even constitutes pants and put them on? Why not just wear jean shorts at that point?
9. “Jeans were originally designed for cowboys and miners and those low-waisted jeans don’t look practical for either.” It just seems like jeans got away from what made them great in the the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans place: a thick layer of protection against rattlesnakes and tunnel monsters, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. It’s not like modern jeans are bad or anything, it’s just that I think jeans need to get back to their roots.
10. “I don’t want you to think I’m sexist. It’s 2016. Women can be cowboys and miners too.” To be clear, it’s not that I assume a woman in jeans isn’t a cowboy or miner, it’s just that odds are anyone wearing jeans isn’t either. Besides, those are industries that are shrinking at alarming rates. Cattle are so domesticated that herding them is effectively automated, and there are only so many things we can pull from the earth; mining is definitely a field with an expiration date. And don’t even get me started on fracking.
11. “Seriously, I didn’t mean to make it a big deal." Honestly, some of my best friends are cowboys and miners.
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Frank KobolaFrank is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com
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Things You Should Never Wear On A Date
By Amy Sciarretto/Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 10:26 am EDT
What you wear on a date can be important. Date attire requires careful thought and consideration. But we don't mean date night attire for an evening out with your longtime love or significant other. Rather, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans outfits for a get-together with a new suitor need to be deliberately planned.
You don't want to wear anything too sexy, too thrown together, or too calculated. You want to be comfortable and cute, without being too revealing. You also want to look like yourself. That said, you don't want to send unintentional or mixed messages, either. Obviously, what you wear definitely communicates a variety of things to your date. Selecting your ensemble is of critical importance. Here are all the things that you should never wear on a date — though, of course, it's ultimately up to you.
Reconsider wearing thigh-high boots on a date
Thigh-high boots are a total no-no when you're choosing what to wear on a date. Josie May, a love and dating coach, pointed out to The List that these sexy stompers "may look good when you go out dancing with your girlfriends. But unfortunately, on a date, they give off a hooker vibe."
You're not going for Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman before she went shopping with Richard Gere's credit cards on Rodeo Drive. You also don't want to send an overtly sexy message that makes you appear too available or — even worse — easy.
Play up your allure and your mystique, rather than strutting around in this sort of attention-seeking (and getting!) footwear.
Too-tight clothing won't be comfortable to wear on a date
Fit is everything. Antonia Hall, a psychologist, relationship and dating expert and award-winning author, warns against clothes that don't quite fit, especially those that are too small, when you're getting ready for a date. "If your clothes are too tight, it tells the person that you have low self-esteem and are trying to gain attention in the wrong ways," she said. You'll also be fidgeting and fussing with your clothes, which is distracting for both parties.
Rori Sassoon, an image consultant, relationship expert, and CEO and co-founder of elite matchmaking service Platinum Poire, also points to fit as a critical element of a date outfit. Avoid "something that you can't get into and out of, on your own," Sassoon told The List. "What if you need to go to the bathroom and you can't undo the zipper? What are you going to do? Ask your date to unzip you?"
That sends a message you likely didn't intend. "They are going to think, 'She wants me, and she wants me bad,'" Sassoon said. "Then you're going to have to ask them to zip you back up and you'll look like a tease."
Avoid wearing too-loose clothing on a date
If you go the opposite route and wear clothes that are roomy and falling off your body on a date, you can appear sloppy and disinterested in either yourself or the date — or both.
"If your clothes are baggy and loose, you'll look like you didn't put in an effort and just don't really care," psychologist and dating expert Antonia Hall said. Instead, she recommends that you "wear something that fits and shows off your figure without being too sexual and you'll make the best impression."
Baggy may be comfy, but wear something that you love, that fits just right, and shows off the real you!
Clothing with brand icons aren't the best option to wear on a date
Avoid icons and brand names on a date, so you don't look like a walking advertisement when you throw on something to wear on a date. Plus, that's all a bit too casual. Author, speaker, and healer Jaya Jaya Myra told The List, "Never wear clothing that contains slogans or noticeable brand icons. Clothing is meant to be more subtle than that, and properly picked clothing can elevate your ability to communicate with your date."
Plus, you don't want your Hollister hoodie distracting him or communicating with him in your stead. Myra further stated, "You want your date to get to know you without having preconceived notions of who you are before you ever open your mouth — and that won't happen if your clothes broadcast an idea more loudly than your conversation does."
It's a bad idea to wear clothes with slogans on a date
Don't show up to a date wearing silly or corny outward messages on your shirt, either. Celebrity matchmaker Bonnie Winston reminded The List that no one wants to be the butt of a bad joke, saying, "I had a client who was with a man who bought a shirt on the Venice Beach boardwalk. The shirt said, 'I'm with stupid.' He wanted her to wear it and she said. 'No.' They broke up over it. Not everyone has the same sense of humor!"
"One should not wear slogan tees to avoid embodying the slogan for the duration of the date," said Dawnn Karen, MA, EdMc of the fashion psychology field, a discipline that focuses on the hidden synergy between fashion and psychology and the study and treatment of color, beauty, style, image, and shape and its affect on human behavior while addressing cultural sensitivities and norms. Slogan shirts are so unnecessary in this scenario.
Dirty attire is a big no-no when picking out what to wear on a date
While Vanity Capital's Kaitlin Kapur is "not a fan of telling people what they can or cannot wear because style is such a fun which dating app is worth paying for for an individual to express themselves," there's one thing that's totally unacceptable for people to wear on a date: clothes with stains.
Kapur told The List, "One thing you should always avoid is clothing that is dirty and or wrinkled." Don't yank clothes out of your hamper. Make sure your date clothes are clean, pressed, and fresh. Dirty and stained clothes can make you appear messy or unkempt in life and love.
Sports bras are not something people should wear on a date
Professional matchmaker Susan Trombetti draws the line at athletic attire. "Don't ever show up in a date wearing a sports bra," she told The List. "Save it for the gym, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. I don't care if you are meeting for happy hour drinks at the bar next to the gym and you have a great bod. It's not appropriate, it can be too sexy, it can say 'I don't care,' and it's all too revealing at the same time."
If you are thinking, "Who the hell would wear a sports bra on a date?" — and we certainly were — Trombetti confirmed that it's more common than you think.
Besides, date bras can be sexy and lacy. They can give you confidence, and, if they play peek-a-boo, it's a little tease that adds intrigue and mystery.
Don't be afraid to add color to an all-black wardrobe when dating a finnish girl what to wear on a date
Yes, black is fashionable and slimming. It's also the preferred monochromatic clothing dating brazilian girls of many women. But celebrity matchmaker Bonnie Winston wants you to lighten up when it comes to what you wear on a date.
"Please don't dress as if you're attending a funeral, date, after date, after date," she advised. "The message is very depressing. At least, try to lighten things up with a few colorful accessories." If you're someone who personally abides by an "all black everything" eye catching headlines for dating sites and is only comfortable in head-to-toe black, don't just nix this suggestion. Try to see Winston's point. We recommend mixing black and gray. That way, you can rock shades of black but you won't give off the goth vibe. Because #compromise.
Maybe skip the tight skirts on date night
Tight skirts are to be avoided on a date, as well, according to Diane Pollack, a wardrobe consultant in New York City. Pollack warns against tight skirts, since they can ride up and cause you to be fidgeting with them (and likely being visibly uncomfortable) instead of concentrating on the conversation or how cute your date is.
"Never wear something that is uncomfortable and doesn't fit," Pollack told The List. "For instance, that tight skirt that keeps riding up and you keep needing to pull it down. Or the top that won't stay up and you keep having to pull it up. Or those 'killer' stilettos that are really killing your feet. Basically. anything that you are pre-occupied with is going to detract from you being present and having fun on the date."
It's best to avoid distracting prints when deciding what to wear on a date
Distracting prints are no bueno because they draw attention away from you, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. Emmy Award-winning stylist David Zyla, author of Color Your Style and How to Win at Shopping, reminded The List, "When dressing for a date, avoid all prints, logos, and anything that distracts from you." As a remedy, Zyla said to focus on particular bodily real estate when choosing what to wear on a date.
He further noted, "Since most dates are over dinner or drinks, always dress as you would for a portrait, aka from the waist up, employing your most flattering color and a neckline that follows the shape of your jaw. Hint: The most flattering item to wear on a date is a top or dress in your favorite lipstick color, guaranteed to bring out the sexiest, most romantic side of you."
Don't wear things on a date that you wouldn't normally wear
Don't dress for a date like someone a friend wouldn't recognize. In other words, don't present yourself as someone you aren't when picking out what to wear on a date. Rose Jubb, a wardrobe stylist in Portland who specializes in helping women claim more confidence and reach their goals, told The List, "The one thing a woman should never wear on a date is anything that makes her feel like someone she is not. Basically, don't fish with the wrong bait. Be yourself, but the slightly polished version, and you'll reel in the keepers who love you for you."
Dating experts say to not put on perfume before a date
Pause the perfume, people. April Davis, dating expert and CEO of LUMA Luxury Matchmaking, says to nix fragrance when going on a date, which might seem counterintuitive, since aromas can be sexy and alluring and can allow your date to remember you. But they can also overwhelm the olfactory sense.
"Sure, your favorite scent makes you feel like a bombshell," Davis told The List. "But that doesn't mean he will think the same. We're all sensitive to smell and if you chose the wrong scent, you might be risking it all! Save the perfume for when you have your new love interest on lock down!"
Sweaters aren't the best choice when choosing what to wear on a date
You can end up appearing frumpy if black conscious dating site choose to wear a loose sweater on a date. "A huge attire mistake for a first date — primarily in the fall or winter — is sweaters," dating expert April Davis said. "They're cute and cozy, but they're more of a third or fourth date kind of thing."
Unless you regularly go for that pinup look with a fuzzy, angora fabric, which can be a little too much during the "getting to know you" phase, "sweaters aren't usually form-fitting and can be a little frumpy," she noted. "The first few dates are your time to spark interest," Davis explained. Yes, mystery is nice, but you don't want to crush their imagination with an outfit their mom might have worn last Christmas."
Don't wear shoes you can't walk in on a date
Marilyn Monroe once said, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." You can wear flats. You can wear heels. Just make sure you wear what you can walk in for your date.
Personal shopper and expert stylist Jocelyn Kaye weighed in on date footwear, telling The List, "Nothing kills the mood more quickly than feeling physically uncomfortable. Dates often take serendipitous turns and we find ourselves walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or on a romantic stroll through a park — a little adventure is a true aphrodisiac! Feeling comfortable and confident is key so opt for a kitten or block heel rather than a stiletto, if you go with heels."
Really high heels can cause trouble on a date
However, if you are a total Carrie Bradshaw and are most comfortable in towering heels, so be it. Just be sure to know what your date has planned, since you can't wear six-inch pumps if you're going to be doing a lot of walking. If the date is a surprise, manage your heel height. Fashion blogger Billie Jean Bateson told The List, "The most important thing you should never wear on a date is extremely high heels — above three inches — if you don't know where you will go."
What if your suitor has a romantic stroll planned? Imagine how miserable you'd be in sky-high heels! Bateson continued, "No matter how amazing they look, you have to admit that they are uncomfortable and you don't want to hobble the whole time, especially if he wants to prolong the date and suggests you take a stroll down to the river. It's gonna be a the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, believe me!" Wearing comfy shoes means "you can be ready for anything without fear," according to Bateson.
Compromise with a manageable heel height, as recommended by stylist Jocelyn Kaye.
Noisy jewelry can be too loud on a date
Noisy accessories are also not appropriate for a date. Dating and relationship coach Christine Baumgartner believes that what "a woman shouldn't wear on a date is noisy jewelry." Baumgartner explained, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, "I encourage women to occasionally touch their hair, since men like seeing this, the arm of their date, since this breaks the personal space barrier between them and also lets the woman see how she feels when she touches him, and to sometimes use their hands while they talk because it can show how passionate they are about the subject. And wearing jewelry that makes sounds would be very distracting."
Quiet accessories are preferred to prevent any additional distraction while getting tactile with your date!
Take off your sunglasses before going on a date
The eyes are the windows to the soul, so don't block yourself from connecting with someone on a deeper level by wearing shades on a date. "Everyone looks better in a pair of designer sunglasses, but it stops the one thing you want from a first date: that soul-level connection," said relationship the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans Dr. Siva. "If the eyes are the windows to the soul, why hide them? Men tell me that it makes women look unapproachable and also distant. Many of them do not even click on women wearing sunglasses in their dating profiles."
It's been scientifically proven that the whites of the eyes deliver lots of messages. Siva explained, "The sclera (whites) of your eyes are designed to enhance communication with your partner by showing which way you are looking. Studies show we naturally learn this as babies, even before we can speak."
So ditch the Ray-Bans and the Diors if you want to connect for real.
Save the sloppy undies for laundry day, not your date
Carina Pedersen, resident "Knicker Lady" and concierge stylist at [Enclosed], a luxury lingerie company, suggests keeping undies private — but pretty — for your date.
"Heaven forbid you show up to a first date in ugly undergarments," she told The List. "You are only doing yourself a disservice, as nothing eats away at your self-confidence like unflattering and uncomfortable knickers. On that first date, you want to feel desirable, attractive, and sensual. The way you feel on the inside projects onto your interaction with your date and a little extra boost of confidence can go a long way."
Throw on some sexy undies, even if it's only you who knows you are wearing them. "Wearing fantastic lingerie under your clothes on a date doesn't have to be overtly sexual, it can (and might) remain your little secret," Pedersen explained. "The bottom line is if you feel empowered and sexy, your partner will notice too."
Yoga pants aren't the right bottoms to wear on a date
The "are leggings pants?" argument is a both a raging and prevalent one, with fashion types firmly divided on the issue. That said, leggings and yoga pants are popular. They are also fine for exercise, for running errands, for grabbing coffee with your friends, and for dressing up with an oversized top and heels. They are, however, crossed off the date attire list.
"Leave the yoga pants at home," said wardrobe stylist Rose Jubb. "Every item of clothing serves a purpose, but I'd never tell you to wear a cocktail dress to Pilates."
On a date, do you, be you
At the end of the day, you can wear whatever you like and are comfortable in on a date. Do you, be you. These tips are simply designed to provide some help along the way. Laura Bilotta, a dating coach and matchmaker in Toronto, noted that "deciding what to wear on a date is stressful; you want to look attractive, yet effortless, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, which is tricky. Ultimately, the number one thing that you shouldn't wear on a date is something you aren't comfortable wearing."
That extends to physical and emotional comfort. "If you're constantly going to be pulling down your dress, checking to see if you bra is showing or not paying attention because your feet hurt too much, then you aren't going to have a good time, and your date probably won't either," she says.
Try your date outfit on and wear it once prior to a date, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. Test-driving the ensemble will remove the margin for error. "If you're comfortable in the outfit you've chosen, you can relax and focus on your date," says Bilotta.
Meet the Experts
Athletes were the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans for more than what they wear, but how they wear it, where they wear it, why they wear it; designer collaborations, attendance at fashion shows, social media presence, investment in fashion, endorsements and other partnerships were all considered and a panel of stylists, executives, models, journalists and other influencers in the fashion industry worked with SI’s Jamie Lisanti to help shape the list.
Style MVPs: The top 10
Victor Cruz



- NEW YORK GIANTS
Fashion is what you make of it—if you’re comfortable in it and you own it, there’s no box you can put it in. That’s the beauty of fashion. Football gave me a platform to show the world how I dress. Even on the field, I make sure I’m always cleaned up, my jersey’s never the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, my socks are always pulled up and my spikes always look well kept, neat and new. I make sure the way I look on the field is the same way I look off the field as well. I think my clothes show that I pay attention to detail, take time to get dressed and think about outfits well in advance, which is all very true, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. And there’s a little bit of pressure. You want to go out there and step it up to make sure you look as good as the Cam Newtons and Odell Beckhams of the world because they go out there and they have custom pieces every week. I haven’t been out there in a little bit, so this year I have to bring it.
— Victor CruzPhotos: See more of Victor Cruz's fashion style
Russell Westbrook



- Oklahoma City Thunder
My style changes throughout the year so even for me, it’s hard to describe it. The guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans get inspiration from a lot of things. For basketball we travel a lot and I’m able to visit hotels and see different fabrics and art on the walls. I also get inspiration from women’s wear. It's very interesting to see how the clothes are made and how they mix and match different pieces. A lot of people may like to wear nice clothes, but some do not really understand where fashion comes from. I took the time to do my research and learn about the fashion world before I was able to get in to it. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley to pick their brains about the origins of fashion and how it all began. Now, I have my own brand with Barney’s and True Religion. I’ve been able to create this space for myself as a designer while still playing basketball.
— Russell WestbrookPhotos: See more of Russell Westbrook's fashion style
LeBron James



- Cleveland Cavaliers
When you call yourself the King, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, you have to be sure to dress like one. LeBron owns the spotlight, morphing like a chameleon in and out of Tom Ford three piece suits, John Elliott sweatsuits and leather moto jackets. This season, he’s shown a mastery of tailoring—one of his best looks featured a Martin Margiela camel hair double-breasted overcoat. The 6’8” four-time MVP also launched his own menswear apparel store, UNKNWN, in Aventura, Fla., sharing his knowledge of what’s next in fashion and culture with style-seekers and fans. His lifetime Nike deal, reportedly worth more than $500 million, ensures he will have influence over the performance and lifestyle choices of consumers for years to come.
— Marcus Troy, Rachel JohnsonPhotos: See more of LeBron James' fashion style
Serena Williams



- WTA tennis player
Being an absolute force on the tennis court just isn’t enough for Serena: the 21-time Grand Slam champion is just as fierce and commanding on the red carpet and the runway. Her wardrobe choices are potent and powerful—from body-hugging silhouettes the black floor-length, mesh-back dress she wore to accept her Sports Illustrated Sportperson of the Year award. She showed her clothing line, Serena Williams Signature Statement Collection for HSN, at New York Fashion Week and the collection lets fans connect with her off-court sporty and sophisticated style. Women’s tennis has never had a more fashionable and empowering ambassador.
— Brandon WilliamsPhotos: See more of Serena Williams' fashion style
Henrik Lundqvist



- New York Rangers
Known for his calm and collected presence in the net, Lundqvist dresses with exactly the type of precision you would expect from a Swedish athlete known for his coordination. The 34-year-old is one of the most classically well-dressed athletes in sports and that label has translated into partnerships with brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo. He has also developed his own line with Swedish underwear brand Bread & Boxers. Lundqvist is the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans necessarily fashion-forward—he usually avoids trends or bold statements—but he sticks to the classic gentleman look with dark-colored suits and sharp tailoring.
— Dan TrepanierPhotos: See more of Henrik Lundqvist's fashion style
Cristiano Ronaldo



- Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo’s skills on the pitch are certainly matched by his sartorial expertise off it. The footballer is a sharp dresser known for sleek suits and tuxedos, often from Dolce and Gabbana, and he always finishes off his look with an impeccable ‘do. Ronaldo fronted fashion campaigns for the likes of Emporio Armani, Portuguese clothing brand Sacoor Brothers, watchmaker Jacob & Co. and more, and also launched a signature collection of his own, CR7 Underwear, featuring boxers, briefs, premium shirts and footwear. The CR7 name also extends to his Nike range, assuring Portugal’s famed No. 7 will continue to lead the way in on-field style as well.
— Heather ZellerDwyane Wade



- Miami Heat
Everyone knows D-Wade the basketball player, but I am also a father, husband, businessman and friend—and my style reflects that mix. It’s unpredictable. Some days I am suited and booted while other days I’m wearing casual sweats, but everything is always well tailored and worn with my own flare, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. Because I travel often I get to see how different countries and cultures interpret clothing and my wardrobe is inspired by those places. Fashion has allowed me to expand my brand beyond basketball. I currently have a line with The Tie Bar, a collaboration with socks brand Stance, a dating beautiful women with Hublot and a range with underwear brand Naked—and I am not stopping there. Stay tuned.
— Dwyane WadeAndre Iguodala



- Golden State Warriors
In 2005 during my second year in the league, the NBA added the dress code and it rubbed a lot of guys the wrong way. But being creative is what makes us great athletes and we took that same skill and applied it to our styling, which is really good for the game. Now every guy goes to the game with the mindset that it is an occasion. I’ve also started a collection with Rochambeau and it fits my personality. I’m a pretty versatile person and I like to do the same thing with how I dress—I can wear suit and tie and be really comfortable in that or I can go a little street with some distressed jeans and a tee. I mix and match different styles but I always like having a blazer on, no matter what.
— Andre IguodalaMisty Copeland



- Ballet dancer for ABT
Since I was seven years old, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, I’ve always had a knack for sewing and an understanding for how different garments fit my body. I would make clothes for my Barbie dolls and make small alterations to both my and my siblings’ clothes. But when I moved to New York, my eyes were opened to a whole new world of fashion. I paid attention to what I saw around me. I like to try new colors and dabble in new trends, but as a dancer, I am always mindful of my proportions and what flatters my 5’2” figure. I try not to allow any trend to overtake my awareness of what works for my body. I choose pieces that elongate my frame and work the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans my style, which I like to describe as casual elegance.
— Misty CopelandSkylar Diggins



- Dallas Wings
I like to describe my style as tomboy chic. Being comfortable is my No. 1 focus, so you’ll usually see me in a combination of athletic wear and jeans, or a blazer. But I also love to wear heels and even those special occasion dresses that don’t have as much give as my everyday wear! We all know how amazing tuxedos look on men, but I think women have more opportunities to play with textures, shapes, fits and color. We can choose a high or low hemline, a pants suit or an off the shoulder or long sleeved top, to name a few. I think fashion is another form of creative expression and the more designers I’ve discovered, the more I found my creative voice.
— Skylar DigginsThe Fashionable 50 Flip Covers
When readers flip the April 18 issue of Sports Illustrated over, they’ll find one of four special Fashionable 50 back covers, featuring Victor Cruz, Russell Westbrook, Swin Cash and Von Miller.
Swim models judge Fashionable 50 style
Chanel Iman and Kate Bock break down outfits from some of the athletes on the Fashionable 50.
The rest of the Fashionable 50
In Alphabetical Order
Laila Ali



- Former boxing pro
Most know Ali as the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans four-time undefeated world champion boxer (and the daughter of legendary boxer, Muhammad) but the 38-year-old has also made strides in fashion. Ali’s approach to dressing is timeless, allowing her natural beauty and strength take center stage. Her greatest sartorial wins include a striking blue halter gown from Michael Costello. Outside of the ring, she’s served as a model on the NYFW runway and was tapped as a guest host for E! Fashion Police. She has also created her own line of styling tools and hair care products and her role as a TV personality allows her edgy but sophisticated looks to shine through regularly.
— Heather ZellerCarmelo Anthony



- NEW YORK KNICKS
When you live and play in New York City, you have a clear advantage in fashion. But just like other athletes on this Fashionable 50 list, Anthony came into the league with little knowledge about menswear—we’ll never forget his taupe six-button suit at the 2003 NBA Draft—but has made major strides in recent years. Anthony is smart when it comes to tailoring, choosing slim suits and accessorizing with pocket squares and pops of color. He recently designed a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles inspired collection with Nickelodeon and Macys and it’s safe to say there will be future opportunities in fashion for the 31-year-old forward. Just like a smooth jump shot, it takes time to hone one’s skills.
— Dan TrepanierMario Balotelli



- A.C. Milan
Style is all about the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans and Balotelli plays and dresses with lots of it. The Italian striker can pull off a skinny, expertly-tailored suit but also masters the European luxury streetwear look, featuring fur-trimmed coats and drop-crotch pants. No matter what, Balotelli’s eccentric fashion choices are always complemented with his signature mohawk hairstyle. Crank the risk-taking dial up a notch or two and he’s like the European version of Russell Westbrook: bold, in-your-face and not afraid to make mistakes when it comes to fashion. Balotelli’s deal with Puma has also brought his quirky style to the pitch, most notably with a children’s boot featuring a fuzzy mohawk on the heel.
— Dan TrepanierDavid Beckham


- Former soccer pro
Soccer players are characteristically stylish and Beckham is at the forefront of this phenomenon. His understanding of impeccable tailoring and classic modernism are key standouts when assessing his fashion prowess. Beckham’s collaboration with H&M for essential cotton undergarments is the retailer’s best selling line. He is always ahead of the curve with his grooming choices, which tie together the effortless look he’s known for. The English star is not only the benchmark for athletes but he also inspires men’s wardrobe choices around the world. Beckham is truly a relatable fashion icon and the most emulated athlete of them all.
— Rachel JohnsonOdell Beckham Jr.



- New York Giants
OBJ may be a junior to the style scene, but the 23-year-old has experienced more than most veterans in the game. His personal good disabled dating apps with the mother of fashion Anna Wintour has opened doors even some A-list stars do not have access to, from attending the coveted Met Gala and Vogue Fashion Fund, to droves of designers vying to outfit him. Beckham’s style has a youthful flippancy and ease and everyone from Saturday afternoon mall-goers to college basketball players can be seen rocking his signature blonde mohawk. Beckham’s ability to affect the masses makes him a formidable force with the company he keeps on this list.
— Rachel JohnsonTom Brady

- New England Patriots
Being married to one of the world’s top fashion models certainly helps, but four-time Super Bowl champion Brady knows a thing or two about style. The 38-year-old quarterback is famous for donning Tom Ford designs, not only on the red carpet but also upon arrival to NFL stadiums and post-game trips to the podium. His wardrobe rivals that of the fashion elite and has landed him spots on best dressed lists and invites to the Met Gala and other high-profile events. Brady made major fashion waves in 2011 when he first became an UGG Australia men’s ambassador, and in the years since, he’s known to gift teammates with the brand’s trademark sheepskin slippers.
— Heather ZellerTorah Bright


- Snowboarder
Fashion is a large part of the snowboarding world and 29-year-old Bright has helped to transform slope style for women. The Australia native turned her passion for snowboarding and longtime partnership with Roxy into a successful collection of outdoor gear. Bright created pieces that are both feminine and functional, featuring sleek designs, on-trend colors and technical fabrics. Her personal style is typically casual yet chic—you’ll see her in soft colors and comfortable athleisure pieces—but fans have also seen Bright’s glamorous side for red carpet appearances, while hitting the fashion runways, and in costume on “Dancing with the Stars” in Australia.
— Heather ZellerChris Bosh



- Miami Heat
I’ve always loved fashion and when I saw successful people in magazines and TV shows it made me want to be part of that world. Not being able to find clothes that fit me only challenged me more. As I saw the ways different dads dressed growing up, I became even more interested. That’s why I’m inspired by different eras. What I wear depends on what I’m feeling for that particular season. Right now I love wearing tees under suits or layered with cool jackets. I’ve also partnered with accessories brand Armstrong and Wilson to develop my neckwear line, Mr. Nice Tie. The NBA is one of the most stylish leagues out there so you definitely have to come with your A-game.
— Chris BoshSwin Cash



- New York Liberty
I’ve always dabbled back and forth between the fashion and sports worlds because when I was 14 years old I had the opportunity to walk in NYFW as a young model, and then I went on to play basketball in college and now in the WNBA. Because I am 6-feet tall, I’ve always had to be creative and versatile with my clothes. I love to come to games dressed from head to toe, but I also work in TV as a commentator. So I can do that classic look or I can pull off an elegant dress for a black tie event. Or I can be tomboy chic at a football or basketball game. I love that I can be this chameleon and my fashion can really transcend through the different avenues and areas I work in.
— Swin CashTyson Chandler



- Phoenix Suns
Standing at a towering 7’1’’, Chandler has been at the forefront of most fashion trends in the NBA. He was one of the first to wear southern California designer Rick Owens and identify the brand’s fabric and aesthetic as the perfect complement to his body. Now Owens’ drapey tees and oversized sweats hang in closets across the league. He's also known for resurrecting Walt Clyde Frazier’s famed hat, “The Clyde.” Chandler understands the dimensions of his body—he celebrates his lean, muscular frame, endless legs and broad shoulders by embracing body-conscious tailoring. The confidence he exudes is innate and it has allowed him to make bold fashion choices before they were in vogue.
— Rachel JohnsonMike Conley



- Memphis Grizzlies
He is not the marquee name that most of the others on this list are, but the Grizzlies’ point guard is one of the most consistent dressers in the NBA. His look is usually a blend of high and low-end pieces and formal and casual wear, a style that’s very popular in men’s fashion right now. Conley blends suits with sneakers, leather jackets with trousers, bowties with jeans and more. It’s all about balance: showing appreciation for classic menswear items, while at the same time, an awareness of street style and what’s going on with the younger influencers. It can be tricky, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, but Conley nails it and understands tailoring and proper fit—he wears clothes that are slim and flattering on his athletic, 6’1” physique.
— Dan TrepanierEric Decker



- New York Jets
After modeling for Buffalo David Bitton’s fall 2014 campaign, the The guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans York Jets’ wide receiver propelled into the fashion spotlight. On most days you’ll probably find him in a more laid-back look wearing a tee and distressed denim, but Decker can also rock a sharp suit, especially as one of this year’s Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) ambassadors for New York Fashion Week: Men’s. The 29-year-old has carved a lane for himself with his simplistic and clean style. His most recent looks have seen him in heavy wool coats, nautical stripes and Henley shirts—three more pieces every style-seeker will need to add to his closet.
— Marcus TroyKevin Durant


- Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant is undoubtedly catching fashion peer pressure from his attention-grabbing teammate being one of the most trend-obsessed players in the league. Like Westbrook, one of his go-to’s is the “nerdy chic” look—bowties, thick-framed glasses, backpacks over shirts and ties with the chest strap fastened. But looks that are more casual and comfortable and channel his inner gentleman seem to fit his style better. With his 6’9” frame, he can definitely pull off a custom tailored suit. Durant’s partnership with snowboarding, skating, surfing and lifestyle brand Neff and his highly popular Nike KD sneaker line prove he has the prowess to further extend his brand in the fashion world.
— Dan TrepanierRoger Federer



- ATP Tennis
Tennis’s Swiss star and 17-time Grand Slam champion may have a colorful, garish look during matches, but Federer’s fun Nike kits allow him to settle in off the court and serve as a contrasting partner to his classic off-duty style. Federer’s choices are not cookie cutter or overly basic—you won’t see him in khaki pants with a blue blazer with gold buttons—but his looks are welcoming, simplistic 100 free us dating sites appeal to many the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans personalities. His partnerships with brands such as Rolex also influence his luxe, modern look. Federer’s involvement with the Jordan brand is groundbreaking and the shoes, made in collaboration the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans Michael Jordan, are a highly sought-after exclusive sneaker.
— Brandon WilliamsLarry Fitzgerald



- Arizona Cardinals
My mom was a fashionista and would always dress very nice. I think that’s how my interest in fashion began. Now, TV shows like Boardwalk Empire have given me some ideas of styles I want to try. I have a pretty classic style and don’t usually wear anything too bold or crazy. During the season we have to wear suits on the road and I’ve grown to enjoy putting together my looks for game days. My go-tos are a few custom navy suits made by my clothier Chanda Ferrer of Elevee Lifestyle—I could wear them every day. Nothing makes you feel more confident than a sharp suit and looking professional at games makes me feel like I’m there to go to work. You look good you play good, right?
— Larry FitzgeraldWalt Clyde Frazier

- Former NBA player
The only gent who’s nickname was generated by his fashion choices. The moniker “Clyde” was given to Frazier because he started wearing his signature wide-brimmed Borsalino hat the same week that Warren Beatty was seen wearing one in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Since then, Frazier has embraced his fashion sense so passionately that he still owns and wears suiting from that era, including outrageous prints such as black and cream cowhide, leopard and more. His secret weapon is his long-time tailor Mohan Ramchandani but the excitement in Frazier’s bold and unapologetic style lies in the confidence with which he wears them. And for that, he will forever be respected.
— Rachel JohnsonLewis Hamilton



- Formula One
Like the Mercedes car he races, Hamilton likes to drive his fashion forward, choosing sleek, sophisticated sportswear and suits that fit his frame with perfection. He’s fraternized with fashion darling Virgil Abloh and vet Stella McCartney during Paris Fashion Week and his international appeal and access is evident in his clothing choices, from iridescent, textured tuxedos to effortlessly cool ripped jeans, a hoodie, an overcoat and destroyed Timberland the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. The reigning F1 world champion became an ambassador for London men’s fashion in June and his expertly curated Instagram feed shows his passion and celebrates his fashion exploits. Hamilton is the new standard of cool.
— Rachel JohnsonBryce Harper



- Washington Nationals
I feel like I can’t put a title on my style because I am kind of all over the place. Sometimes I’ll walk in like I live in Texas—yes, I own boots—and then other days I’m like a rock star with ripped jeans and a leather jacket. But the one look in my closet that I can’t go without is a well-tailored suit, usually from my people back home in Las Vegas at Stitched. David Beckham and Tom Brady are two guys who have incredible style and I have always respected both of them on and off the field. They take pride in their appearance and how in the way they play and I have the same mentality. But no matter what look I choose, my hair and beard always have to be perfectly groomed.
— Bryce HarperColin Kaepernick



- San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick’s style is the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans mixture of a few different looks. It all depends on whether he’s dressing for the red carpet or posing for an editorial in a magazine. While he seems serious in styled shoots, his everyday, personal style is actually quite playful—he’ll wear colorful sneakers or printed pants, and snapbacks are definitely a staple in his wardrobe. Kaepernick wears basic monochrome colors such as white, navy, black and gray, but he changes it up with different textures and tones and a pop of color on his shoes, usually high-tops. He can also pull off a three-piece suit, which shows his versatility. Name the occasion and the location and the 28-year-old quarterback will dress accordingly.
— Brandon WilliamsMatt Kemp



- San Diego Padres
Compared to other leagues, the MLB isn’t the most stylish; however, Kemp hasn’t let that slow down his arrival to the world of fashion. He’s been the front-runner for MLB style for some time now. When he’s not wearing a baseball cap, you’ll usually see the 31-yearold right fielder accessorizing his cool, casual look with eyeglasses or wide-brimmed hats. Kemp is not afraid to take risks with colors or patterns, but he has also proven he can appeal to the masses by fronting campaigns for brands like the Gap. When baseball becomes more fashionable and others players start to embrace their personal style, it will be said that Kemp inspired them to do so.
— Brandon WilliamsMarcedes Lewis



- Jacksonville Jaguars
I’ve always had an interest in fashion from when I was a kid. My mom had me when she was 16 years old and I grew up in Eastside, in Long Beach, Calif.—it’s not the good part of town. We didn’t have a lot, but from the time I was able to put my own outfits together I was able to create. Now when I hear the word “style” I think of expression. Whether it’s a fitted hat or a snapback, the hat normally ties my whole look together. I’m not a guy that is going to wear crazy colors—I’m more progressive, always trying to stay ahead of the curve. I’ll wear a dope gray suit but have a pop in my tie and my shoes will be ridiculous. In the the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, it will all make sense and it’s very easy on the eyes.
— Marcedes LewisVon Miller



- Denver Broncos
Fashion is my individuality. With the Denver Broncos, we have the most stylish team the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans the best dating apps NFL and I think I’m right up there with the leaders of the pack. But it the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans didn’t start over night. One guy started dressing really nice and then the next guy and it just kind of caught fire after that. My favorite accessory would be my glasses but I wouldn’t even call it an accessory because it’s something I need every day. When you think of Von you think of glasses and I took off with it and embraced the geek and the dork in me. Hats are huge in my wardrobe as well—cowboy hats, fur hats. I’m a Texan through and through. I’m a country boy. When I go to the city I see shiny new stuff and I get it. When I get to the country, I combine both of the styles and put the glasses on there and you’ve got Von Miller.
— Von MillerAlex Morgan



- Orlando Pride
An Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion with the U.S. women’s national team, Morgan embraces her place in the fashion spotlight. The 26-year-old has a feminine but comfortable off-pitch style and as a Nike-endorsed athlete, you’ll see her adding sneakers and performance wear to casual looks. Morgan is elegant on the red carpet in figure-flattering dresses and she’s shown she isn’t afraid to try menswear-inspired pieces for formal events. She also recently attended the BCBGMAXAZRIA fashion show during NYFW and even took the field to train with Vogue’s international editor-at-large, Hamish Bowles.
— Jamie LisantiDeMarco Murray



- Tennessee Titans
Entering his sixth year as a running back in the NFL, Murray’s shown he can break out of the pack on the field, but he’s also quietly found his way into the fashion world. You’ll likely see him in a well-tailored suit, sometimes without a tie, but he can also pull off the athleisure wear trend. Fueled by his partnership with adidas, the 28-year-old combines performance and style with coordinated joggers, hoodies and tees paired with the brand’s sneakers. Earlier this year, Murray also teamed up with Men’s Wearhouse to promote a line of Joseph Abboud suits, dubbed the JOE Survival Suit, featuring wrinkle-resistant and waterrepellant fabric.
— Jamie LisantiHidetoshi Nakata

- Former soccer pro
After playing in stylish Italian cities for eight years during his soccer career, Nakata honed his impeccable eye for fashion and sophisticated style. Anyone who can rock the lightweight scarf—the 39-year-old ties a variety of different knots to change up the look—and pull off the “jacket-over-shoulders” move like a classic Italian man certainly has some swagger. The Japan native also served as the editor-at-large for the design and style magazine, Monocle. Nakata’s wardrobe is versatile and he likes to switch back and forth from motorcycle jackets and hip street wear to razor sharp suits and tuxedos. Whether it’s casual or formal, Nakata always pays attention to the fine details.
— Dan TrepanierCam Newton



- Carolina Panthers
Whether it’s leaving the facility, boarding a jet or standing behind the podium after a game, Newton knows exactly what his style is and sticks to it. Most of his looks consist of collared shirts and blazers that are well proportioned to his 6’5” athletic body, but sometimes the 26-year-old quarterback will make bold statements. Remember those Versace, zebra-print pants he wore on the plane to Super Bowl 50? Bedazzled loafers, patterned capri pants and clip-on, fur foxtails are some of his more memorable accessory and clothing choices. Much like his style of play, Newton’s looks are bold and that is what makes him good. It’s great to be fearless with fashion!
— Marcus TroyDanica Patrick



- NASCAR driver
America’s most successful female racecar driver is also one if the sport’s most fashionable. Patrick has been vocal about her passion for clothing and her feminine style serves as a sharp contrast to the toughness of her sport. At award shows and events around the world, Patrick is a well-dressed red carpet fixture, swapping her racing suit and signature aviators for mid-length dresses and statement jewelry. Patrick’s list of endorsements are endless and her latest campaign for Tissot timepieces has made fashion the focal point. William Rast has also been among her style-centric sponsors, as Patrick endorsed the company’s eyewear.
— Heather ZellerChris Paul



- Los Angeles Clippers
If you’ve ever watched 6’0” Paul play basketball, it’s apparent he likes to lead the charge for his team. In the fashion landscape, CP3’s style is also all-star quality: dominant, classically cool and sporty. Paul expertly uses his partnership with the Jordan brand on the court but he is also known for adding the sneakers to his off-duty outfits. On any given night he can be found paring his Air Jordans with high-end fashion labels such as Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Maison Martin Margiela to complete a masterful look. The 30-year-old point guard is unafraid best free dating apps for serious relationships try new prints and patterns and his outfit choices make you pay attention.
— Brandon WilliamsAnna Rawson



- Former LPGA golfer
An Australia native, Rawson has blurred the lines between fashion and sports for more than a decade, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. Noted not only for her style on the golf course but for her career as a runway model, she’s been able to capitalize on her interests, which vary from the LPGA to Chanel Haute Couture. Beyond hitting the catwalk for Los Angeles Fashion Week, Rawson has snagged high-profile endorsement deals with GoDaddy and J. Lindeberg, wearing the company’s fairway fashions and acting as a design consultant for the ladies’ line, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. The 34-year-old is now lending her colorful personality as a spokesperson for Parsons XTreme Golf venezuelan women dating Heather Zeller
Darrelle Revis


- New York Jets
The New York market has definitely influenced Revis’ style. The 30-year-old cornerback always seems to have on high-end brands and has a high awareness of fashion and what fits his frame. He’s been fitted by designers such as Davidson Petit-Frere of Musika Frere, but no matter what brand, his choices are always made to fit his comfortable and casual style. Revis also developed a signature shoe with Nike, which in its first release featured his team’s hunter green-and-white colors and his number 24, with image of a palm tree inside the four as a nod to “Revis Island.”
— Brandon WilliamsEmmanuel Sanders



- Denver Broncos
The 2015 Super Bowl champions also make a good case for the most fashionable team in the NFL, as Sanders has taken cues from his stylish teammates. Bright neon orange cleats on the field make him noticeable from afar and Sanders takes a similar approach with his pre- and post-game style. Some of his most memorable looks include a bright purple suit paired with a black shirt and tie en route to a game in December and a sparkly gold blazer with black bow tie and round metal Ray Ban sunglasses after the Broncos SB50 win. Sanders’ favorite piece seems to be his leather jacket, which he’ll wear over his No. 10 jersey or pair with a simple t-shirt and jeans for a casual look.
— Jamie LisantiMaria Sharapova



- WTA tennis
Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova has proven to be a successful business woman and fashion is one of the ways she has cultivated her personal brand. She’s a red carpet stunner and sophisticated styles from Valentino, Stella McCartney and Chloe have been on her designer roster. Sharapova also scored a front row seat next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour during Paris Fashion Week. Her on-court clothing choices are an extension of her personal style, as she plays a vital role in the design process. Sharapova also launched a collection of accessories under her Sugarpova label and the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans with Cole Haan, a small sampling of her fashion-focused endeavors.
— Heather ZellerAmar’e Stoudemire



- Miami Heat
My mother was always into fashion when I was growing up. Seeing her tastes and interest in the finer things in life has rubbed off on me and influenced my sense of style. The clothes I the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans are based on the occasion or event—if I’m going to the Met Gala, for example, I’m stepping out in formal suiting; if I’m headed to a basketball game, I wear fitted jeans and a nice jacket. Denim is definitely my go-to item—it’s the one piece of clothing I always have with me. I like my outfits to be comfortable, but not too casual. Basketball and fashion are both parts of my life that I am passionate about. In my opinion, if you play well and you dress well, they’ll pay well.
— Amar'e StoudemireMichael Strahan



- Former NFL player
After retiring from the league in 2008, Strahan quickly transitioned into a second career in TV broadcasting. His varied roles, from talk show co-host to NFL analyst and media personality, assure that he’s always in the public eye and the 44-year-old is always sharply dressed. Last year, Strahan developed his own line of suits and furnishings with retailer JC Penney, called Collection by Michael Strahan, which offers patterns such as herringbone and windowpane and extended sizes up to 60. He says the classic looks with modern flair align with his personal style.
— Jamie LisantiPK Subban



- Montreal Canadiens
Looking good is always something I’ve taken pride in. When I see someone the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans dressed well, it just sends the right message. I think it’s important to carry yourself with your head up high and part of that is making sure you feel confident. For professional athletes, you represent your organization and your city, so it’s more than just yourself and it is important to look a certain way. I’m a firm believer that what you wear can empower you and make you feel a certain way, so I always try to leave my house feeling comfortable but also looking my best. For my style, I love a hat, that’s probably my favorite thing. I think they’re really distinct.
— PK SubbanLindsey Vonn



- Alpine skier
Just like I am aware of my lines as a dancer, Vonn must have the same understanding as a professional skier. She knows her body and how to dress it and her fashion choices definitely inspire me. She has nerds dating site free knows how to look sexy without showing too much. She transforms with fashion off the slopes. I love following her looks on Instagram, from her menswear-inspired Dolce & Gabbana suit to a simple tee and distressed jeans when she’s headed to the airport. Vonn has also served as a Project Runway guest and was dressed by Anna Wintour, in Elie Saab, for the 2013 Met Gala.
— Misty CopelandShaun White



- Snowboarder + Skateboarder
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, White aligns his off-duty and onslope style with apparel that is flashy and full of attitude. His eclectic choices pull influences from sports, music and art. White’s affinity for skinny jeans has translated to his competition attire and he’s drawn attention for his X-Games looks, such as slim-fit, zebra-printed trousers and a leather jacket ensemble. He made another statement with an all-black design with gold grommets for the X-Games in ‘13, part of the Burton White Collection, which he helped to design. White is also lending his style sense to the masses, launching a new limited-edition collection with Macy’s dubbed WHT SPACE.
— Heather ZellerAndrew Wiggins



- Minnesota Timberwolves
As a young up-and-coming player in my second year in the league, it’s the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans you show maturity on and off the court. Looking the part is very important and from my 2014 Draft Day suit—with a black and white floral tuxedo jacket—I feel like I made an impression from the beginning. I think style is a big part of the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans respect you build as a professional because it shows you care. My style is calm, cool and sometimes out of the box, but always I like to be comfortable so my wardrobe reflects that. My go-to pieces are hoodies, bomber jackets and fly sneakers. Clothes reflect your interests and the music culture gives me inspiration. I was taught if you look good, you play great.
— Andrew WigginsVenus Williams



- WTA tennis player
Like her sister Serena, Venus has a genuine interest in fashion. The 35-year-old holds a fashion degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and is the creator of her own athletic apparel line, EleVen, which she also wears during matches. While her off-duty looks are mostly relaxed and casual, Venus has brought her flair and personality to the court for many years, wearing bold patterns and prints and sporting colorful hairstyles. Venus extended her passion for design to interior decorating with her Florida-based firm, V Starr Interiors. In addition to attending fashion shows, Venus has also collaborated with Ralph Lauren and Diane Von Furstenberg for Reebok.
— Jamie LisantiRussell Wilson



- Seattle Seahawks
With his new fiancé Ciara by his side, 27-year-old Wilson has been making appearances on many red carpets lately and he’s always looking dapper. This year the quarterback also launched his own charitable men’s lifestyle brand, Good Man Brand, which features modern casual wear and donates a portion of profits to his Why Not You Foundation. Wilson’s off-duty style is quite simple and his refined looks are mostly limited to well-tailored suits and crisp button-down shirts. But if you have a “uniform” of clothing you love coming back to and know that you’ll always look great it in, by all means, wear it as much as you want.
— Marcus TroyHow to Dress Up
Parties are often preceded by fun questions, like what to give? Who to bring (if you have a plus one, that is)? When to arrive? And, crucially, what to wear? Most of us don’t just happen to have a floor-length silk gown or a tailcoat the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans around in our closet, waiting for the day our Met Gala invite finally arrives. But would that even be the right kind of thing to wear to such an event? We’ve got answers, and options, for every possible occasion on your social calendar.
Why Do We Dress Up?
Social obligations are not prerequisites for feeling great about your appearance. You can dress up simply because looking good makes you happy. But more often than not, the situations where we put a lot of care into our outfits are big events with explicit dress codes. The best-case scenario is that we’re dressing for both reasons: because it boosts our self-esteem and because we want to look situationally appropriate.
Still, knowing what is appropriate can be a head-scratcher. The dress code might be implied, and even when it’s made explicit, the jargon can be difficult to decode. Which is why we spelled it out for you here.
If the invitation says.
- Casual: You do not need to dress up. Sneakers, jeans and T-shirts are all acceptable, and even encouraged.
- Dressy casual: You should dress up, but only a little. It’s often just a matter of wearing nicer shoes, a snazzier top or pants that aren’t blue jeans (though denim is fine with the right kind of shirt -- more on that later).
- Business attire: You should dress as someone might for a client-facing job. Of course, there is plenty of variation within this category. It might mean a suit, a knee-length skirt, or a blazer and khaki bottoms. But it definitely means no jeans and no sneakers.
- Cocktail: You should dress much nicer than you do every day. Try separates in satin, silk or velvet. Suits. When in doubt, wear black.
- Black tie: You should wear a very elegant dress – say, a long gown or a cocktail dress that’s on the fancier side – or a tuxedo.
- White tie: You should look very fancy. Tailcoats, floor-length gowns and, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, potentially, white gloves are all on the table.
Now let’s get specific.
Casual
Dos
Jeans and a T-shirt: When the most casual of outfits is perfectly acceptable, you might as well go with it.
Khakis, modest shorts, day dresses and skirts
Anything cotton or linen: In the summertime especially, it’s more pleasant to wear breathable fabrics, and these can easily be dressed up or down.
Basically, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, you want to dress like any of the characters on your favorite sitcom routinely do: in comfortable clothing that is neither ostentatious nor schlubby.
Don'ts
Graphic T’s: Plain T-shirts are great, but ones with inflammatory words or images might be better left at home. The Emily Post Institute, whose mission is to educate people about etiquette, advises against shirts that bear slogans altogether.
Anything clearly ripped or stained: It’s a matter of self-respect more than anything, best asian dating site it also shows respect for your host and fellow guests when you dress in clean clothes. Intentional distressing on denim is fine.
Uncomfortable clothing: This is always a don’t, but there’s no reason to dress outside your comfort zone when the dress code is casual. The idea is to come as you are.
Where Casual is Appropriate
- Friendly gatherings: BBQs, housewarming parties
- Informal dinner outings
- Traveling
Dressy Casual
Dos
Dress: A shirt dress or a sweater dress can appear refined and relaxed at once.
Blouse or button-down shirt: You can’t go wrong with a crisp, classic top. Add a blazer to dress the look up a notch or two.
Dark denim: Unfaded indigo or black jeans can make an outfit feel instantly more evening-appropriate.
“Going-out top”: These shirts – often constructed from synthetic materials and sometimes bought cheaply from fast-fashion stores – are meant to make a casual look a little more club-ready. Ultimately, a going-out top is anything that makes you feel good.
Jumpsuit: It’s a stylish one-piece alternative to the dress that can be scaled for elegance. The guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans suits in particular are very trendy this year.
Don'ts
Sneakers: unless they are very clean and not the type you would wear to the gym
Shorts: just don't.
Where Dressy Casual is Appropriate
- A first date
- Most nights out with friends (unless the dress code is explicit).
Business
Dos
If business casual: khakis or dark dress pants; a button-down shirt; sport coat or blazer; tie optional.
If business formal: dark suit, dress shirt and dress shoes; silk tie; sheath dress; pencil skirt. Think Kerry Washington on “Scandal,” or any of the esteemed actors on USA Network’s “Suits.”
Don'ts
Sneakers, not even nice ones: They will make you stand the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans in a bad way.
Jeans: Business attire is not the same as tech company work attire.
Clothing that distracts. Our fashion critic Vanessa Friedman says that “clothes should not be the focus of attention,” which means “they should not be what colleagues or friends remember after a meeting.”
Anything that makes you wonder, “Is this a bad idea?” If you’re thinking it before you leave the house, your thoughts will only get louder throughout the day.
When Business Attire is Appropriate
- Most workplaces and related events
- Networking mixers
- Job interviews
- Conferences
Cocktail/Semi Formal
Dos
Dress: You’ll want to wear a dress that is made of a refined fabric (like silk, lace or taffeta) and cuts around the knee. It should be much more formal than a sundress, but less formal than a ballgown. Most department stores and online retailers have sections devoted to party dresses, and any of those should do.
Suit: Most people wear dark suits to occasions with this dress code, but if the event is a daytime party, a light suit (beige, gray) is totally fine.
Dressy separates: If you wear a very snazzy top (think sequins or silk), you can probably get away with dress pants (say, velvet) or a skirt on the bottom.
Jumpsuit: Everyone wears dresses. Why not do wear something that makes a statement?
Dress shoes, pumps
When in doubt, wear black.
Don'ts
Anything too short or tight (unless you love being physically uncomfortable for hours at an event).
Jeans: This is definitely not the time or place for America’s favorite pant.
Plain cotton anything.
When Cocktail/Semi Formal is Appropriate
- Some weddings
- Evening fundraisers
- Proms and other formal school events
Open Thread
A look from across The New York Times at the forces that shape the dress codes we share, with Vanessa Friedman as your personal shopper, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. Sent weekly.
Black Tie
Dos
Dress: Long gown or a very elegant cocktail dress: This can be elevated with jewelry and other accessories.
Tuxedo
Pumps or strappy sandals
Black wingtips or oxfords
Remember how the characters on “Gossip Girl” dressed for special occasions? That’s the bar here.
Don'ts
It’s not the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans strict rule, but most people advise against bright colors for practical reasons: They’re harder to rewear and more difficult to clean.
Scuffed shoes: Even if they are dress shoes, you want them to be in tip-top condition.
When Black Tie is Appropriate
White Tie
Dos
Floor-length gown
Tailcoat jacket
Jewels
Long white gloves: optional, and sort of extra, but isn’t that the point?
Looking like royalty is the ideal outcome.
Don'ts
An above-the-knee dress
Suit: Your business attire is dapper, but it’s not welcome here!
When White Tie is Appropriate
- A very, very fancy wedding, if explicitly stated on the invitation
- The Met Gala, or any fund-raiser of its caliber
Tips and Advice
How to Save Money
Dressing up, even once in a while, can easily become expensive. Anyone who is familiar with the marathon of weddings that begins in one’s 20s and never really ends knows that dressing up can feel like an expensive chore. You can’t really help it that you’re popular or that your friends are in love, but preparing for these celebrations and gatherings doesn’t have to break the bank.
- Shop smart: Knowing where to buy occasion wear is half the battle, and not everyone’s recommendations will fit your idea of what’s affordable. The easiest and least expensive option is to browse what online retailers like Lulus and Asos have to offer. There are also fairly affordable sustainable brands like Reformation whose garments may incur a smaller carbon footprint. Second-hand and consignment stores can also have gems from high-quality labels. If you can’t find any such stores locally, the RealReal and thredUP resell clothes from luxury and midpriced brands.
- Rent, don’t buy: Truly no one needs to own a ballgown. Companies like Rent the Runway (now offering an Unlimited subscription service) and Armarium let you pick from a trove of designer offerings, then return the wares after your special occasion is history.
- Rewear your look: It can be costly to buy a new outfit for every occasion on your social calendar. If you purchase pieces that are basic enough (the simple black cocktail dress, for example) you can wear them over and over again, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans. Tiffany Haddish has done it on the red carpet, and we all stand to learn from her eco- and budget-friendly example.
- Ask a friend: Maybe you know someone who has a dress or a suit you can borrow. Think of it as a rental, but free! But make sure to offer to pay for their dry cleaning so that the loan is no imposition.
How to Make it Look Good
Speaking of which, clothing – especially dressy clothing – should not simply be worn. It often requires alterations or D.I.Y. hacks to look as good as possible. And, crucially, garments should be cared for, especially when they are costly or beloved. Here are some things to consider:
- Alterations: If you’ve purchased a piece that doesn’t fit quite like a glove, or you have a well-worn outfit that’s due for some fixes, you might want to visit a tailor or a dry cleaner who performs alterations ahead of your event. Before you just walk into the nearest shop, it’s worth asking friends for recommendations: Once the fabric is cut, it can’t really be restored. Wherever you go, make sure you drop off the garment at least three the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans before you’ll need to wear it.
- Shapewear: Let’s start by saying that everyone’s body is wonderful and nothing must be done to make it look good in a dress. But, if you would like your clothes to lay smooth and flat on your person, there are plenty of things you can buy. The folks at Spanx and Commando produce seamless undergarments that are virtually undetectable underneath even the slinkiest dresses.
- Tape: If after the alterations and shapewear, something about your outfit still feels precarious, there’s always good old tape. Kim Kardashian proudly uses it to secure her dresses and decolletage, and she says gaffer tape works best. There’s also fashion tape and toupee tape, which are really just two types of double-sided tape with fancy names.
- Ironing and steaming: Creases can put a wrinkle in anyone’s plans to look great, so before you go out, consider ironing or steaming your outfit and putting it on a hanger so that it retains its polished appearance. Our friends at Wirecutter recommend Maytag's M400 iron for those who are in the market. Handheld steamers are a great investment, too, as they travel well and work like a charm.
- Cleaning and other garment care: It’s worth noting that your wares will get dirty. Our friend Alainna Lexie Beddie at T Magazine has solutions for all of the stains and scuffs your clothes and shoes are likely to incur given your busy social schedule.
How to Upgrade Any Look
Sometimes a dress code can feel rote – more like a uniform than an expression of personal style. This is especially true if you’ve built up a wardrobe of rewearable pieces and they’ve each made appearances at several occasions. Here are a few ways to make sure your outfit comes together and feels fresh:
- Accessories: By this point, you’ve picked the perfect outfit. You will the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans great no matter what. But if you have the time and means, consider the distinguishing details. Have you thought about jewelry? What tie you’ll wear? How you’ll carry your necessities? Whether you’ll need a coat, and which one to wear? These questions are best addressed at least a week prior to the event, so you have time to shop or borrow from a friend if needed. Or maybe the answer is in your closet. If you always sport a silk tie, for example, you could try that knit one you got as a gift but haven’t worn yet.
- Hair: Maybe you show up to work with the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans hair the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans day. That’s O.K.! But you probably don’t want to do it on your best friend’s wedding day. Special occasions can present an opportunity for a haircut (at least a couple days in advance), or a hairdo (likely the day of). As long as your hair doesn’t appear visibly slept-on, greasy or otherwise unkempt, you’re doing fine.
- Nails: Again, none of this is obligatory, and you should only do it if it makes you feel happy. Does getting your nails done make you feel happy? Yes? Then do it! If not … maybe just cut them and make sure they’re clean.
About the Author
Bonnie Wertheim is a staff editor in the Styles section. She loves to get dressed, most often in oversized clothes and clogs.
Of course, style is about more than just clothes—it encompasses our entire aesthetic existence. So if your partner wears jackets with a million unnecessary zippers, then good luck decorating your apartment. Even if you like their style, it can be a struggle. Just last week my boyfriend and I spent all Sunday arguing over whether the living room needed a tacky pink velvet chaise lounge (clearly) or this creepily heavy oak rocking chair that looks like a prop in Rosemary’s Baby. I wondered, Am I in an aesthetically abusive relationship?
But can a style clash ever be a turn-on? My friend Kaitlin, a fiery redhead with strong Twitter opinions, argues that in rare cases, the impossible may be possible.
Kaitlin met her boyfriend a few years ago, when she DM’d him about buying one of his paintings. “I was single and boy crazy,” Kaitlin told me, “so I thought every guy I met could potentially turn into a thing. But when I showed up to his studio, he was wearing pink camo pants, crocs, and ear gauges. He looked like the sort of person who likes music, you know what I mean? I immediately thought, Okay, friend zone.”
Yet, astoundingly, his personality transcended his stretched-out earlobes, and they started dating. At first, his style was like the third person in their relationship. Kaitlin told me, “He has this one T-shirt with a drawing of Snow White bent over backwards, fingering herself. When we went out, I could see people staring at his shirt and then frowning at me, as if him not wearing a suit indicated some moral failing on my part.”
But over time she found his geek guy dating profile examples attitude contagious. “People always lie and say they don’t care what people think, but my boyfriend truly doesn’t care. I secretly admire it. Because imagine the opposite: a guy who self-consciously wears James Perse shirts and buys his jeans at Barneys.” Agreed: offensive.
Clearly, there’s a difference between having a style and being stylish. And after experiencing her boyfriend’s annoyingly personal wardrobe, Kaitlin wondered whether, tragically, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, she was the latter. “The way my boyfriend dresses is so specific to him. He’s so himself, and it’s extremely appealing. Like, I obviously didn’t think I’d grow up to date someone who wears joke T-shirts. That’s not my Hollywood fantasy. But whatever, he’s literally the coolest person I know—way cooler than anyone who thinks his shirts are dumb.” Essentially, confidence trumps everything.
What Your Outfit Says to Him
Can’t decide what to wear on a first date? While you can dress for a first date based on your zodiac sign, if you’re straight girl looking to get with a straight guy — we rounded up some hetero men to give you quality feedback and insights into their brains. Here are our expert straight dudes with fashion opinions to guide you.
Busting out a pair of jeans
You’re in luck. Men like jeans. As Victoria Beckham says in her style guide That Extra Half an Inch, “More than any other piece of clothing, jeans can show off your figure at its best,” and this is not lost on guys. “I love seeing a girl in stylish jeans florida dating sites free a cute top. This is a simple outfit that shows confidence, a casual mood, sexiness, and also lets me know that she’s just being herself,” says Nathan, 31. Twenty-eight-year-old Tyler’s all-time favourite date outfit was “ripped jeans, a cute jacket and red patent high heels.”
Slipping on some heels
We all know that men find heels sexy, but apparently, they’re not a necessity. “I don’t notice shoes for the most part,” says Nathan. “I think the best outfits are the ones that combine style with comfort.” Tyler agrees: “I’ve dated girls who I have to hold on to because they can barely walk in their heels. Heels should only be worn if you are confident and want to wear them.” And for Michael, 25, when girls start choosing high tops over heels, “I’ll be in heaven.”
Pulling on those sexy boots
Boots must signal something deep in the sexy psyche of men. They seem to have very strong–and usually positive–reactions to the idea. “I can’t say why, but I love the look of knee-high boots,” says Nathan. Mike, 30, is even more exuberant: “Love ’em! Love! ‘Em!” High-top-loving Michael has mixed feelings: “With the right outfit they say sexy, with the wrong outfit they say, ‘would you like a lap dance?'”
Picking out the perfect accessories
Don’t worry too much about your accessories. Guys don’t notice jewellery unless you’re wearing too much. “The odds of any straight man parsing the psychology of earring length are beyond small. Odds are, we’re checking out how her boobs are presented and trying not to be caught,” says Mike.

Going for ultra femme with dresses
Dresses might say that you’re dressed up. They might say nothing at all. Both Mike and Nathan expect a dress if it’s warm enough to wear one. But it doesn’t rate higher than nice jeans and a sexy top.
Going fancy
While a casual dress is fine, the general consensus is that being over-dressed can be overkill. “Personal style says a lot about the individual,”says Nathan. “When I see a girl who over-dresses, it screams that she’s making up for something with decoration.” Josh, 26, is wary of label whores. “Name brands usually mean the night isn’t dutch. Be careful: she probably has zero sense of humour,” he says.
Keeping it really, really casual
We’ve discovered that jeans are a good thing but that doesn’t mean that your oldest jeans and grubby sneakers are date-appropriate. “If she shows up in runners, jeans and a T-shirt, then I know there really wasn’t much effort put in to looking her best. I want the girl to be comfortable in what she is wearing but I hope that she wants to look your best for me as well,” says Tyler.
Putting on a face of makeup
It’s true that we can get away with wearing more makeup than we’d admit to and still look fresh as a daisy–and that’s the way it should be. Guys just don’t get glitter. They truly are interested in what your face looks like. And, says Michael, “Too much makeup is the ultimate turn off!” Mike adds, “If someone is too elaborately made up, I worry I would spend weekends waiting for her to get ready, answering a never-ending barrage of this-top-or-this-top questions.”
Ramping up the sexy
This is where the truth comes out. As down-to-earth as guys want you to be, they will not argue if you dress like a bit of a sex kitten. Not overly dressy of course, and not half naked (“If you have to make an effort not to stare down at certain places, that’s awkward,” says Tyler) but subtly sexy is good. “If a girl is comfortable and confident in tight clothing showing lots of skin then I’m all for it,” says Nathan. According to Mike, “Sexy is not a turnoff. Sex is a completely happy outcome for any first date. Whether it leads to a second date, that depends on how date number one goes.”
Written by Vanessa Grant
12 Stylish First Date Outfits for Men (Women Love #5)
You can’t afford to not make a strong first impression
The date is set. You did it, man! You got up the nerve to ask the pretty little lady that’s been on your mind, out on a date. But now you’ve got to figure out what to wear on a first date.
For many, asking out a woman is the hardest, most nerve-wracking part of this entire process. It’s all serenity from here on out.

Until you realized, you don’t know what to wear on your first date.
That’s the whole reason why you’re here.
And I’m here to help guide you through every step of the way of picking out the perfect outfit for your first date.
But first, before jumping into outfit ideas, there are a few things we need to address that will directly affect your outfit decision.
How to Decide What to Wear on a First Date
There are many components that go into deciding what to the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans on your first date. Where are you going? Are you wanting a second date with this person? What’s your own personal style?
There are many questions to be asked before choosing your first outfit, and you want to make a great first impression on this woman, I’m sure. And intimidatingly enough, according to scientists from Princeton University, it only takes about 1/10th of a second to form an opinion about someone.
There’s no time to waste. You need to make a strong, great first impression when your date lays eyes on you. Your clothes will speak for you before you even open your mouth, so choose wisely.
Date Location
Your date location is going to directly coincide with your outfit decision. No one wears a suit to a coffee shop at noon, whereas similarly, you don’t want to wear ripped jeans and a simple tee the best free dating sites for mature adults the fanciest restaurant in town in the evening.

If you’re choosing the date location, then it’s going to say a lot about your personality. Of course, you want to choose a restaurant that will impress her(if you plan on having a second date), but you also want to feel like yourself and comfortable when going on this first date.
No one wants to feel unnecessarily uncomfortable on a first date. So pick a place where you’ll be impressing her, but you can also dress in a way that you feel most comfortable and like yourself.
So once you decide whether you’re going to a fancy restaurant and you’re going to dress it up, or a nice little coffee shop or family-owned restaurant where you can wear an everyday outfit and just spice it up, then we can talk about what you’re going to want to wear.
Personal Style
Listen, you do not want to pretend to be someone you’re not.
This goes for many reasons, but think about this. You show up to your first date dressed like someone you’re not and in a way that you’re not comfortable, but your date is digging it.
Your second/third date comes along and either you have to keep changing who you truly are for this person, or you’ll show your real self and the other person is out.

Or it could go totally vice-versa. You might miss your dream-girl because you were pretending to be someone you’re not, and she doesn’t like this persona or front you’re putting up.
So what I want to encourage you to do is this: Be the best version of yourself on this date.
If you like to wear casual outfits, just accessorize a little and put in the extra effort. If you like to dress it up, then do just that, just make sure your the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans matches the occasion.
Still wondering what to wear on a first date? Don’t worry. We have loads of examples on what to wear on a first date coming up in a jiffy.
First Date Outfit Ideas for Men
So as a man, what should you wear on your first date? Let’s consider the weather: will it be hot or cold outside? Are you going to a restaurant or are you going hiking? Let’s go over some 3 options for any of these possible scenarios.
Casual First Date Outfit for Mens
These 3 casual first date outfits are perfect for a lunch date, an early evening out-to-dinner, or even an evening walk through the town. These outfits feel like you put in the effort, but you didn’t try too hard. Check em out!
Casual First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: A simple sweater with a jean jacket thrown on top, white fitted-jeans, dark brown shoes, and a watch.
This outfit says “I’m professional, yet a good time. I thought about this outfit, but not too hard.”
You match, you look nice, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, and your date will notice and appreciate the effort you put into this outfit full of neutral colors.
Casual First Date Outfit Option #2.
Outfit combination: Dark denim fitted-jeans, light denim button-up with a mustard knit sweater thrown over top, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, and of course, a watch. For shoes, if you want to continue a casual vibe, you could wear a pair of Vans or any white sneakers. You could also dress it up by wearing some oxfords or casual dress shoes.
All of these pieces are pretty much staples of anyone’s closet. You can recreate this entire outfit with any fitted-jeans and button-up. Layering your clothes is a huge yes, especially during chilly seasons. If it’s really cold outside, pair this outfit with a scarf and coat.
Casual First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: A pair of pants cuffed at the bottom or rolled up, a short-sleeved button-up, a watch, a necklace, bracelet and watch.
This outfit is simple, and that’s why you can play so much with the accessories. He didn’t go over the top with them, though. The accessories are subtle, and all are in the same color family. Stick to all silver or all gold for aesthetically pleasing results.
This outfit is perfect for any warm day for a walk around or coffee date.
Fancy First Date Outfit for Men
If you really want to woo your date and take her somewhere fancy, then you need your outfit to match the tone of the place you want to take her. Here are three fancy first date outfits.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: White fitted-jeans, A light-blue button-up with the appropriate number of buttons undone (which is 2-3), A brown sports coat, a watch, and leather shoes.
This outfit is fancy, yet still casual, in a sense. It doesn’t feel like you’re about to go to a fancy wedding, but it does say “I’m serious about this and you.”. The perfect fancy date night outfit.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #2.
Of the 12 outfits in this article this is the look that the ladies we polled found like most. While it’s on the fancier side, if you live in a metro area you may be able to pull it off on more casual settings.
You’ll have to be comfortable with this look for it to work, of course.

Outfit combination: Grey and white plaid dress pants, brown leather shoes, matching leather belt, white button-up, bracelets and watch.
You could definitely add a grey or navy sports coat to dress this outfit even more, but this outfit is perfect for a warmer day.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: White button-up, grey vest, colorful handkerchief, dark jeans, and probably black or brown leather dress shoes.
This outfit is as manly as it is fancy. It’s perfect for the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans it’s too warm outside to wear a coat on top. The handkerchief gives this neutral outfit the perfect amount of color to stand out.
First Date Outfit for The Movies
Going to the movies is always a safe option for a first date. It’s casual, fun, and you automatically have something to talk about after the movie is over. Here are three perfect first date outfits to wear to the movies.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: Grey ripped jeans, grey t-shirt, black leather jacket, white sneakers, brown pack-pack.
We all know that the movie theatre is a little bit chillier than it should be. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show off your chivalry. Wear a jacket to the movies and when she’s cold, offer your jacket to her.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #2.

Outfit combination: black skinny jeans + slim chain, black boots, black tee, brown suede jackets, and watch.
The suede jacket here is the key piece to the entire outfit. It gives it just enough color to make the all-black outfit stand out. It’s a classic outfit and is still stylish.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: black ripped skinny jeans, white t-shirt, open button-up, white sneakers.
This outfit is so simple, yet very nice. It’s the perfect casual outfit, but you still look put together. The ultimate lazy boy outfit. Everyone, literally, the guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans, everyone has all of these pieces in their closet. It’s just all up to how you pair and style them.
Sporty First Date Outfits for Men
Maybe you and the girl you asked out are a little more active than the average person and want to do something different, like hiking, rock-climbing, or going to play mini-golf or frisbee. There’s a way to look nice and sporty. Here are three outfits for you to be inspired by for your outdoorsy date.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: Black sweatpants with white stripe, black simple tee, watch, sunglasses, and black and white sneakers.
This is a prime example of how to be ready to run around and be sporty, while still being fashionable. Find some dressy sweatpants and wear some nice, clean sneakers, and you’re set.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #2.

Outfit combination: Green sweatpants, grey t-shirt with cuffed sleeves, a sporty watch, a bracelet, and white sneakers.
Another way to style a simple t-shirt and change the entire look of it, is by simply rolling up the sleeves. By doing this, it looks like you put more effort into your outfit. It’s such an easy trick that spices up your entire look and it only takes a few seconds to do.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: grey shorts, long green tee, white sneakers, and a cap turned backward.
A simple outfit like this needs to be accessorized. A hat, a watch, a bracelet, or anything will make this outfit look 10x better and will show that you have a sense of style and that you put some effort and thought into making a simple outfit look better.
Final thoughts
Before closing out, I just want to say a few more things.
Sometimes, it’s not about the clothes you wear, but how they fit you. The same shirt in two different sizes will look completely different on you. Don’t go too tight that it looks too small on you, but not too baggy that it looks like it’s a size too big.
Be well-groomed. Trim your beard, get a last-minute haircut. Show her you care about how you look and take care of yourself. By caring for yourself, you show that you’re capable of caring for others as well.
Be safe. If you’re meeting (or thinking about meeting) an online date, make sure you do a little background check on them to make sure they’re legit. DateID can help you know who you’re meeting a little bit better. It may even help you come up with ways to dazzle her with great first date conversation topics.
And most importantly, be yourself. Confidence is everything. You could have all the knowledge and money in the world, but not have a good time with your date because you’re not confident with who you are. Have fun, let loose, be you, and enjoy your first date. Read more of our best online dating tips for men.
I hope you found these idea on what to wear on a first date helpful. Let us know in the comments which outfit was your favorite and what you’ll be wearing on your next first date!
The guy im dating likes to wear ripped jeans - you
Meet the Experts
Athletes were evaluated for more than what they wear, but how they wear it, where they wear it, why they wear it; designer collaborations, attendance at fashion shows, social media presence, investment in fashion, endorsements and other partnerships were all considered and a panel of stylists, executives, models, journalists and other influencers in the fashion industry worked with SI’s Jamie Lisanti to help shape the list.
Style MVPs: The top 10
Victor Cruz



- NEW YORK GIANTS
Fashion is what you make of it—if you’re comfortable in it and you own it, there’s no box you can put it in. That’s the beauty of fashion. Football gave me a platform to show the world how I dress. Even on the field, I make sure I’m always cleaned up, my jersey’s never un-tucked, my socks are always pulled up and my spikes always look well kept, neat and new. I make sure the way I look on the field is the same way I look off the field as well. I think my clothes show that I pay attention to detail, take time to get dressed and think about outfits well in advance, which is all very true. And there’s a little bit of pressure. You want to go out there and step it up to make sure you look as good as the Cam Newtons and Odell Beckhams of the world because they go out there and they have custom pieces every week. I haven’t been out there in a little bit, so this year I have to bring it.
— Victor CruzPhotos: See more of Victor Cruz's fashion style
Russell Westbrook



- Oklahoma City Thunder
My style changes throughout the year so even for me, it’s hard to describe it. I get inspiration from a lot of things. For basketball we travel a lot and I’m able to visit hotels and see different fabrics and art on the walls. I also get inspiration from women’s wear. It's very interesting to see how the clothes are made and how they mix and match different pieces. A lot of people may like to wear nice clothes, but some do not really understand where fashion comes from. I took the time to do my research and learn about the fashion world before I was able to get in to it. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley to pick their brains about the origins of fashion and how it all began. Now, I have my own brand with Barney’s and True Religion. I’ve been able to create this space for myself as a designer while still playing basketball.
— Russell WestbrookPhotos: See more of Russell Westbrook's fashion style
LeBron James



- Cleveland Cavaliers
When you call yourself the King, you have to be sure to dress like one. LeBron owns the spotlight, morphing like a chameleon in and out of Tom Ford three piece suits, John Elliott sweatsuits and leather moto jackets. This season, he’s shown a mastery of tailoring—one of his best looks featured a Martin Margiela camel hair double-breasted overcoat. The 6’8” four-time MVP also launched his own menswear apparel store, UNKNWN, in Aventura, Fla., sharing his knowledge of what’s next in fashion and culture with style-seekers and fans. His lifetime Nike deal, reportedly worth more than $500 million, ensures he will have influence over the performance and lifestyle choices of consumers for years to come.
— Marcus Troy, Rachel JohnsonPhotos: See more of LeBron James' fashion style
Serena Williams



- WTA tennis player
Being an absolute force on the tennis court just isn’t enough for Serena: the 21-time Grand Slam champion is just as fierce and commanding on the red carpet and the runway. Her wardrobe choices are potent and powerful—from body-hugging silhouettes the black floor-length, mesh-back dress she wore to accept her Sports Illustrated Sportperson of the Year award. She showed her clothing line, Serena Williams Signature Statement Collection for HSN, at New York Fashion Week and the collection lets fans connect with her off-court sporty and sophisticated style. Women’s tennis has never had a more fashionable and empowering ambassador.
— Brandon WilliamsPhotos: See more of Serena Williams' fashion style
Henrik Lundqvist



- New York Rangers
Known for his calm and collected presence in the net, Lundqvist dresses with exactly the type of precision you would expect from a Swedish athlete known for his coordination. The 34-year-old is one of the most classically well-dressed athletes in sports and that label has translated into partnerships with brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo. He has also developed his own line with Swedish underwear brand Bread & Boxers. Lundqvist is not necessarily fashion-forward—he usually avoids trends or bold statements—but he sticks to the classic gentleman look with dark-colored suits and sharp tailoring.
— Dan TrepanierPhotos: See more of Henrik Lundqvist's fashion style
Cristiano Ronaldo



- Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo’s skills on the pitch are certainly matched by his sartorial expertise off it. The footballer is a sharp dresser known for sleek suits and tuxedos, often from Dolce and Gabbana, and he always finishes off his look with an impeccable ‘do. Ronaldo fronted fashion campaigns for the likes of Emporio Armani, Portuguese clothing brand Sacoor Brothers, watchmaker Jacob & Co. and more, and also launched a signature collection of his own, CR7 Underwear, featuring boxers, briefs, premium shirts and footwear. The CR7 name also extends to his Nike range, assuring Portugal’s famed No. 7 will continue to lead the way in on-field style as well.
— Heather ZellerDwyane Wade



- Miami Heat
Everyone knows D-Wade the basketball player, but I am also a father, husband, businessman and friend—and my style reflects that mix. It’s unpredictable. Some days I am suited and booted while other days I’m wearing casual sweats, but everything is always well tailored and worn with my own flare. Because I travel often I get to see how different countries and cultures interpret clothing and my wardrobe is inspired by those places. Fashion has allowed me to expand my brand beyond basketball. I currently have a line with The Tie Bar, a collaboration with socks brand Stance, a watch with Hublot and a range with underwear brand Naked—and I am not stopping there. Stay tuned.
— Dwyane WadeAndre Iguodala



- Golden State Warriors
In 2005 during my second year in the league, the NBA added the dress code and it rubbed a lot of guys the wrong way. But being creative is what makes us great athletes and we took that same skill and applied it to our styling, which is really good for the game. Now every guy goes to the game with the mindset that it is an occasion. I’ve also started a collection with Rochambeau and it fits my personality. I’m a pretty versatile person and I like to do the same thing with how I dress—I can wear suit and tie and be really comfortable in that or I can go a little street with some distressed jeans and a tee. I mix and match different styles but I always like having a blazer on, no matter what.
— Andre IguodalaMisty Copeland



- Ballet dancer for ABT
Since I was seven years old, I’ve always had a knack for sewing and an understanding for how different garments fit my body. I would make clothes for my Barbie dolls and make small alterations to both my and my siblings’ clothes. But when I moved to New York, my eyes were opened to a whole new world of fashion. I paid attention to what I saw around me. I like to try new colors and dabble in new trends, but as a dancer, I am always mindful of my proportions and what flatters my 5’2” figure. I try not to allow any trend to overtake my awareness of what works for my body. I choose pieces that elongate my frame and work with my style, which I like to describe as casual elegance.
— Misty CopelandSkylar Diggins



- Dallas Wings
I like to describe my style as tomboy chic. Being comfortable is my No. 1 focus, so you’ll usually see me in a combination of athletic wear and jeans, or a blazer. But I also love to wear heels and even those special occasion dresses that don’t have as much give as my everyday wear! We all know how amazing tuxedos look on men, but I think women have more opportunities to play with textures, shapes, fits and color. We can choose a high or low hemline, a pants suit or an off the shoulder or long sleeved top, to name a few. I think fashion is another form of creative expression and the more designers I’ve discovered, the more I found my creative voice.
— Skylar DigginsThe Fashionable 50 Flip Covers
When readers flip the April 18 issue of Sports Illustrated over, they’ll find one of four special Fashionable 50 back covers, featuring Victor Cruz, Russell Westbrook, Swin Cash and Von Miller.
Swim models judge Fashionable 50 style
Chanel Iman and Kate Bock break down outfits from some of the athletes on the Fashionable 50.
The rest of the Fashionable 50
In Alphabetical Order
Laila Ali



- Former boxing pro
Most know Ali as a four-time undefeated world champion boxer (and the daughter of legendary boxer, Muhammad) but the 38-year-old has also made strides in fashion. Ali’s approach to dressing is timeless, allowing her natural beauty and strength take center stage. Her greatest sartorial wins include a striking blue halter gown from Michael Costello. Outside of the ring, she’s served as a model on the NYFW runway and was tapped as a guest host for E! Fashion Police. She has also created her own line of styling tools and hair care products and her role as a TV personality allows her edgy but sophisticated looks to shine through regularly.
— Heather ZellerCarmelo Anthony



- NEW YORK KNICKS
When you live and play in New York City, you have a clear advantage in fashion. But just like other athletes on this Fashionable 50 list, Anthony came into the league with little knowledge about menswear—we’ll never forget his taupe six-button suit at the 2003 NBA Draft—but has made major strides in recent years. Anthony is smart when it comes to tailoring, choosing slim suits and accessorizing with pocket squares and pops of color. He recently designed a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles inspired collection with Nickelodeon and Macys and it’s safe to say there will be future opportunities in fashion for the 31-year-old forward. Just like a smooth jump shot, it takes time to hone one’s skills.
— Dan TrepanierMario Balotelli



- A.C. Milan
Style is all about confidence and Balotelli plays and dresses with lots of it. The Italian striker can pull off a skinny, expertly-tailored suit but also masters the European luxury streetwear look, featuring fur-trimmed coats and drop-crotch pants. No matter what, Balotelli’s eccentric fashion choices are always complemented with his signature mohawk hairstyle. Crank the risk-taking dial up a notch or two and he’s like the European version of Russell Westbrook: bold, in-your-face and not afraid to make mistakes when it comes to fashion. Balotelli’s deal with Puma has also brought his quirky style to the pitch, most notably with a children’s boot featuring a fuzzy mohawk on the heel.
— Dan TrepanierDavid Beckham


- Former soccer pro
Soccer players are characteristically stylish and Beckham is at the forefront of this phenomenon. His understanding of impeccable tailoring and classic modernism are key standouts when assessing his fashion prowess. Beckham’s collaboration with H&M for essential cotton undergarments is the retailer’s best selling line. He is always ahead of the curve with his grooming choices, which tie together the effortless look he’s known for. The English star is not only the benchmark for athletes but he also inspires men’s wardrobe choices around the world. Beckham is truly a relatable fashion icon and the most emulated athlete of them all.
— Rachel JohnsonOdell Beckham Jr.



- New York Giants
OBJ may be a junior to the style scene, but the 23-year-old has experienced more than most veterans in the game. His personal relationship with the mother of fashion Anna Wintour has opened doors even some A-list stars do not have access to, from attending the coveted Met Gala and Vogue Fashion Fund, to droves of designers vying to outfit him. Beckham’s style has a youthful flippancy and ease and everyone from Saturday afternoon mall-goers to college basketball players can be seen rocking his signature blonde mohawk. Beckham’s ability to affect the masses makes him a formidable force with the company he keeps on this list.
— Rachel JohnsonTom Brady

- New England Patriots
Being married to one of the world’s top fashion models certainly helps, but four-time Super Bowl champion Brady knows a thing or two about style. The 38-year-old quarterback is famous for donning Tom Ford designs, not only on the red carpet but also upon arrival to NFL stadiums and post-game trips to the podium. His wardrobe rivals that of the fashion elite and has landed him spots on best dressed lists and invites to the Met Gala and other high-profile events. Brady made major fashion waves in 2011 when he first became an UGG Australia men’s ambassador, and in the years since, he’s known to gift teammates with the brand’s trademark sheepskin slippers.
— Heather ZellerTorah Bright


- Snowboarder
Fashion is a large part of the snowboarding world and 29-year-old Bright has helped to transform slope style for women. The Australia native turned her passion for snowboarding and longtime partnership with Roxy into a successful collection of outdoor gear. Bright created pieces that are both feminine and functional, featuring sleek designs, on-trend colors and technical fabrics. Her personal style is typically casual yet chic—you’ll see her in soft colors and comfortable athleisure pieces—but fans have also seen Bright’s glamorous side for red carpet appearances, while hitting the fashion runways, and in costume on “Dancing with the Stars” in Australia.
— Heather ZellerChris Bosh



- Miami Heat
I’ve always loved fashion and when I saw successful people in magazines and TV shows it made me want to be part of that world. Not being able to find clothes that fit me only challenged me more. As I saw the ways different dads dressed growing up, I became even more interested. That’s why I’m inspired by different eras. What I wear depends on what I’m feeling for that particular season. Right now I love wearing tees under suits or layered with cool jackets. I’ve also partnered with accessories brand Armstrong and Wilson to develop my neckwear line, Mr. Nice Tie. The NBA is one of the most stylish leagues out there so you definitely have to come with your A-game.
— Chris BoshSwin Cash



- New York Liberty
I’ve always dabbled back and forth between the fashion and sports worlds because when I was 14 years old I had the opportunity to walk in NYFW as a young model, and then I went on to play basketball in college and now in the WNBA. Because I am 6-feet tall, I’ve always had to be creative and versatile with my clothes. I love to come to games dressed from head to toe, but I also work in TV as a commentator. So I can do that classic look or I can pull off an elegant dress for a black tie event. Or I can be tomboy chic at a football or basketball game. I love that I can be this chameleon and my fashion can really transcend through the different avenues and areas I work in.
— Swin CashTyson Chandler



- Phoenix Suns
Standing at a towering 7’1’’, Chandler has been at the forefront of most fashion trends in the NBA. He was one of the first to wear southern California designer Rick Owens and identify the brand’s fabric and aesthetic as the perfect complement to his body. Now Owens’ drapey tees and oversized sweats hang in closets across the league. He's also known for resurrecting Walt Clyde Frazier’s famed hat, “The Clyde.” Chandler understands the dimensions of his body—he celebrates his lean, muscular frame, endless legs and broad shoulders by embracing body-conscious tailoring. The confidence he exudes is innate and it has allowed him to make bold fashion choices before they were in vogue.
— Rachel JohnsonMike Conley



- Memphis Grizzlies
He is not the marquee name that most of the others on this list are, but the Grizzlies’ point guard is one of the most consistent dressers in the NBA. His look is usually a blend of high and low-end pieces and formal and casual wear, a style that’s very popular in men’s fashion right now. Conley blends suits with sneakers, leather jackets with trousers, bowties with jeans and more. It’s all about balance: showing appreciation for classic menswear items, while at the same time, an awareness of street style and what’s going on with the younger influencers. It can be tricky, but Conley nails it and understands tailoring and proper fit—he wears clothes that are slim and flattering on his athletic, 6’1” physique.
— Dan TrepanierEric Decker



- New York Jets
After modeling for Buffalo David Bitton’s fall 2014 campaign, the New York Jets’ wide receiver propelled into the fashion spotlight. On most days you’ll probably find him in a more laid-back look wearing a tee and distressed denim, but Decker can also rock a sharp suit, especially as one of this year’s Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) ambassadors for New York Fashion Week: Men’s. The 29-year-old has carved a lane for himself with his simplistic and clean style. His most recent looks have seen him in heavy wool coats, nautical stripes and Henley shirts—three more pieces every style-seeker will need to add to his closet.
— Marcus TroyKevin Durant


- Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant is undoubtedly catching fashion peer pressure from his attention-grabbing teammate being one of the most trend-obsessed players in the league. Like Westbrook, one of his go-to’s is the “nerdy chic” look—bowties, thick-framed glasses, backpacks over shirts and ties with the chest strap fastened. But looks that are more casual and comfortable and channel his inner gentleman seem to fit his style better. With his 6’9” frame, he can definitely pull off a custom tailored suit. Durant’s partnership with snowboarding, skating, surfing and lifestyle brand Neff and his highly popular Nike KD sneaker line prove he has the prowess to further extend his brand in the fashion world.
— Dan TrepanierRoger Federer



- ATP Tennis
Tennis’s Swiss star and 17-time Grand Slam champion may have a colorful, garish look during matches, but Federer’s fun Nike kits allow him to settle in off the court and serve as a contrasting partner to his classic off-duty style. Federer’s choices are not cookie cutter or overly basic—you won’t see him in khaki pants with a blue blazer with gold buttons—but his looks are welcoming, simplistic and appeal to many different personalities. His partnerships with brands such as Rolex also influence his luxe, modern look. Federer’s involvement with the Jordan brand is groundbreaking and the shoes, made in collaboration with Michael Jordan, are a highly sought-after exclusive sneaker.
— Brandon WilliamsLarry Fitzgerald



- Arizona Cardinals
My mom was a fashionista and would always dress very nice. I think that’s how my interest in fashion began. Now, TV shows like Boardwalk Empire have given me some ideas of styles I want to try. I have a pretty classic style and don’t usually wear anything too bold or crazy. During the season we have to wear suits on the road and I’ve grown to enjoy putting together my looks for game days. My go-tos are a few custom navy suits made by my clothier Chanda Ferrer of Elevee Lifestyle—I could wear them every day. Nothing makes you feel more confident than a sharp suit and looking professional at games makes me feel like I’m there to go to work. You look good you play good, right?
— Larry FitzgeraldWalt Clyde Frazier

- Former NBA player
The only gent who’s nickname was generated by his fashion choices. The moniker “Clyde” was given to Frazier because he started wearing his signature wide-brimmed Borsalino hat the same week that Warren Beatty was seen wearing one in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Since then, Frazier has embraced his fashion sense so passionately that he still owns and wears suiting from that era, including outrageous prints such as black and cream cowhide, leopard and more. His secret weapon is his long-time tailor Mohan Ramchandani but the excitement in Frazier’s bold and unapologetic style lies in the confidence with which he wears them. And for that, he will forever be respected.
— Rachel JohnsonLewis Hamilton



- Formula One
Like the Mercedes car he races, Hamilton likes to drive his fashion forward, choosing sleek, sophisticated sportswear and suits that fit his frame with perfection. He’s fraternized with fashion darling Virgil Abloh and vet Stella McCartney during Paris Fashion Week and his international appeal and access is evident in his clothing choices, from iridescent, textured tuxedos to effortlessly cool ripped jeans, a hoodie, an overcoat and destroyed Timberland boots. The reigning F1 world champion became an ambassador for London men’s fashion in June and his expertly curated Instagram feed shows his passion and celebrates his fashion exploits. Hamilton is the new standard of cool.
— Rachel JohnsonBryce Harper



- Washington Nationals
I feel like I can’t put a title on my style because I am kind of all over the place. Sometimes I’ll walk in like I live in Texas—yes, I own boots—and then other days I’m like a rock star with ripped jeans and a leather jacket. But the one look in my closet that I can’t go without is a well-tailored suit, usually from my people back home in Las Vegas at Stitched. David Beckham and Tom Brady are two guys who have incredible style and I have always respected both of them on and off the field. They take pride in their appearance and how in the way they play and I have the same mentality. But no matter what look I choose, my hair and beard always have to be perfectly groomed.
— Bryce HarperColin Kaepernick



- San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick’s style is a mixture of a few different looks. It all depends on whether he’s dressing for the red carpet or posing for an editorial in a magazine. While he seems serious in styled shoots, his everyday, personal style is actually quite playful—he’ll wear colorful sneakers or printed pants, and snapbacks are definitely a staple in his wardrobe. Kaepernick wears basic monochrome colors such as white, navy, black and gray, but he changes it up with different textures and tones and a pop of color on his shoes, usually high-tops. He can also pull off a three-piece suit, which shows his versatility. Name the occasion and the location and the 28-year-old quarterback will dress accordingly.
— Brandon WilliamsMatt Kemp



- San Diego Padres
Compared to other leagues, the MLB isn’t the most stylish; however, Kemp hasn’t let that slow down his arrival to the world of fashion. He’s been the front-runner for MLB style for some time now. When he’s not wearing a baseball cap, you’ll usually see the 31-yearold right fielder accessorizing his cool, casual look with eyeglasses or wide-brimmed hats. Kemp is not afraid to take risks with colors or patterns, but he has also proven he can appeal to the masses by fronting campaigns for brands like the Gap. When baseball becomes more fashionable and others players start to embrace their personal style, it will be said that Kemp inspired them to do so.
— Brandon WilliamsMarcedes Lewis



- Jacksonville Jaguars
I’ve always had an interest in fashion from when I was a kid. My mom had me when she was 16 years old and I grew up in Eastside, in Long Beach, Calif.—it’s not the good part of town. We didn’t have a lot, but from the time I was able to put my own outfits together I was able to create. Now when I hear the word “style” I think of expression. Whether it’s a fitted hat or a snapback, the hat normally ties my whole look together. I’m not a guy that is going to wear crazy colors—I’m more progressive, always trying to stay ahead of the curve. I’ll wear a dope gray suit but have a pop in my tie and my shoes will be ridiculous. In the end, it will all make sense and it’s very easy on the eyes.
— Marcedes LewisVon Miller



- Denver Broncos
Fashion is my individuality. With the Denver Broncos, we have the most stylish team in the NFL and I think I’m right up there with the leaders of the pack. But it just didn’t start over night. One guy started dressing really nice and then the next guy and it just kind of caught fire after that. My favorite accessory would be my glasses but I wouldn’t even call it an accessory because it’s something I need every day. When you think of Von you think of glasses and I took off with it and embraced the geek and the dork in me. Hats are huge in my wardrobe as well—cowboy hats, fur hats. I’m a Texan through and through. I’m a country boy. When I go to the city I see shiny new stuff and I get it. When I get to the country, I combine both of the styles and put the glasses on there and you’ve got Von Miller.
— Von MillerAlex Morgan



- Orlando Pride
An Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion with the U.S. women’s national team, Morgan embraces her place in the fashion spotlight. The 26-year-old has a feminine but comfortable off-pitch style and as a Nike-endorsed athlete, you’ll see her adding sneakers and performance wear to casual looks. Morgan is elegant on the red carpet in figure-flattering dresses and she’s shown she isn’t afraid to try menswear-inspired pieces for formal events. She also recently attended the BCBGMAXAZRIA fashion show during NYFW and even took the field to train with Vogue’s international editor-at-large, Hamish Bowles.
— Jamie LisantiDeMarco Murray



- Tennessee Titans
Entering his sixth year as a running back in the NFL, Murray’s shown he can break out of the pack on the field, but he’s also quietly found his way into the fashion world. You’ll likely see him in a well-tailored suit, sometimes without a tie, but he can also pull off the athleisure wear trend. Fueled by his partnership with adidas, the 28-year-old combines performance and style with coordinated joggers, hoodies and tees paired with the brand’s sneakers. Earlier this year, Murray also teamed up with Men’s Wearhouse to promote a line of Joseph Abboud suits, dubbed the JOE Survival Suit, featuring wrinkle-resistant and waterrepellant fabric.
— Jamie LisantiHidetoshi Nakata

- Former soccer pro
After playing in stylish Italian cities for eight years during his soccer career, Nakata honed his impeccable eye for fashion and sophisticated style. Anyone who can rock the lightweight scarf—the 39-year-old ties a variety of different knots to change up the look—and pull off the “jacket-over-shoulders” move like a classic Italian man certainly has some swagger. The Japan native also served as the editor-at-large for the design and style magazine, Monocle. Nakata’s wardrobe is versatile and he likes to switch back and forth from motorcycle jackets and hip street wear to razor sharp suits and tuxedos. Whether it’s casual or formal, Nakata always pays attention to the fine details.
— Dan TrepanierCam Newton



- Carolina Panthers
Whether it’s leaving the facility, boarding a jet or standing behind the podium after a game, Newton knows exactly what his style is and sticks to it. Most of his looks consist of collared shirts and blazers that are well proportioned to his 6’5” athletic body, but sometimes the 26-year-old quarterback will make bold statements. Remember those Versace, zebra-print pants he wore on the plane to Super Bowl 50? Bedazzled loafers, patterned capri pants and clip-on, fur foxtails are some of his more memorable accessory and clothing choices. Much like his style of play, Newton’s looks are bold and that is what makes him good. It’s great to be fearless with fashion!
— Marcus TroyDanica Patrick



- NASCAR driver
America’s most successful female racecar driver is also one if the sport’s most fashionable. Patrick has been vocal about her passion for clothing and her feminine style serves as a sharp contrast to the toughness of her sport. At award shows and events around the world, Patrick is a well-dressed red carpet fixture, swapping her racing suit and signature aviators for mid-length dresses and statement jewelry. Patrick’s list of endorsements are endless and her latest campaign for Tissot timepieces has made fashion the focal point. William Rast has also been among her style-centric sponsors, as Patrick endorsed the company’s eyewear.
— Heather ZellerChris Paul



- Los Angeles Clippers
If you’ve ever watched 6’0” Paul play basketball, it’s apparent he likes to lead the charge for his team. In the fashion landscape, CP3’s style is also all-star quality: dominant, classically cool and sporty. Paul expertly uses his partnership with the Jordan brand on the court but he is also known for adding the sneakers to his off-duty outfits. On any given night he can be found paring his Air Jordans with high-end fashion labels such as Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Maison Martin Margiela to complete a masterful look. The 30-year-old point guard is unafraid to try new prints and patterns and his outfit choices make you pay attention.
— Brandon WilliamsAnna Rawson



- Former LPGA golfer
An Australia native, Rawson has blurred the lines between fashion and sports for more than a decade. Noted not only for her style on the golf course but for her career as a runway model, she’s been able to capitalize on her interests, which vary from the LPGA to Chanel Haute Couture. Beyond hitting the catwalk for Los Angeles Fashion Week, Rawson has snagged high-profile endorsement deals with GoDaddy and J. Lindeberg, wearing the company’s fairway fashions and acting as a design consultant for the ladies’ line. The 34-year-old is now lending her colorful personality as a spokesperson for Parsons XTreme Golf (PXG).
— Heather ZellerDarrelle Revis


- New York Jets
The New York market has definitely influenced Revis’ style. The 30-year-old cornerback always seems to have on high-end brands and has a high awareness of fashion and what fits his frame. He’s been fitted by designers such as Davidson Petit-Frere of Musika Frere, but no matter what brand, his choices are always made to fit his comfortable and casual style. Revis also developed a signature shoe with Nike, which in its first release featured his team’s hunter green-and-white colors and his number 24, with image of a palm tree inside the four as a nod to “Revis Island.”
— Brandon WilliamsEmmanuel Sanders



- Denver Broncos
The 2015 Super Bowl champions also make a good case for the most fashionable team in the NFL, as Sanders has taken cues from his stylish teammates. Bright neon orange cleats on the field make him noticeable from afar and Sanders takes a similar approach with his pre- and post-game style. Some of his most memorable looks include a bright purple suit paired with a black shirt and tie en route to a game in December and a sparkly gold blazer with black bow tie and round metal Ray Ban sunglasses after the Broncos SB50 win. Sanders’ favorite piece seems to be his leather jacket, which he’ll wear over his No. 10 jersey or pair with a simple t-shirt and jeans for a casual look.
— Jamie LisantiMaria Sharapova



- WTA tennis
Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova has proven to be a successful business woman and fashion is one of the ways she has cultivated her personal brand. She’s a red carpet stunner and sophisticated styles from Valentino, Stella McCartney and Chloe have been on her designer roster. Sharapova also scored a front row seat next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour during Paris Fashion Week. Her on-court clothing choices are an extension of her personal style, as she plays a vital role in the design process. Sharapova also launched a collection of accessories under her Sugarpova label and collaborated with Cole Haan, a small sampling of her fashion-focused endeavors.
— Heather ZellerAmar’e Stoudemire



- Miami Heat
My mother was always into fashion when I was growing up. Seeing her tastes and interest in the finer things in life has rubbed off on me and influenced my sense of style. The clothes I wear are based on the occasion or event—if I’m going to the Met Gala, for example, I’m stepping out in formal suiting; if I’m headed to a basketball game, I wear fitted jeans and a nice jacket. Denim is definitely my go-to item—it’s the one piece of clothing I always have with me. I like my outfits to be comfortable, but not too casual. Basketball and fashion are both parts of my life that I am passionate about. In my opinion, if you play well and you dress well, they’ll pay well.
— Amar'e StoudemireMichael Strahan



- Former NFL player
After retiring from the league in 2008, Strahan quickly transitioned into a second career in TV broadcasting. His varied roles, from talk show co-host to NFL analyst and media personality, assure that he’s always in the public eye and the 44-year-old is always sharply dressed. Last year, Strahan developed his own line of suits and furnishings with retailer JC Penney, called Collection by Michael Strahan, which offers patterns such as herringbone and windowpane and extended sizes up to 60. He says the classic looks with modern flair align with his personal style.
— Jamie LisantiPK Subban



- Montreal Canadiens
Looking good is always something I’ve taken pride in. When I see someone that’s dressed well, it just sends the right message. I think it’s important to carry yourself with your head up high and part of that is making sure you feel confident. For professional athletes, you represent your organization and your city, so it’s more than just yourself and it is important to look a certain way. I’m a firm believer that what you wear can empower you and make you feel a certain way, so I always try to leave my house feeling comfortable but also looking my best. For my style, I love a hat, that’s probably my favorite thing. I think they’re really distinct.
— PK SubbanLindsey Vonn



- Alpine skier
Just like I am aware of my lines as a dancer, Vonn must have the same understanding as a professional skier. She knows her body and how to dress it and her fashion choices definitely inspire me. She has fun—she knows how to look sexy without showing too much. She transforms with fashion off the slopes. I love following her looks on Instagram, from her menswear-inspired Dolce & Gabbana suit to a simple tee and distressed jeans when she’s headed to the airport. Vonn has also served as a Project Runway guest and was dressed by Anna Wintour, in Elie Saab, for the 2013 Met Gala.
— Misty CopelandShaun White



- Snowboarder + Skateboarder
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, White aligns his off-duty and onslope style with apparel that is flashy and full of attitude. His eclectic choices pull influences from sports, music and art. White’s affinity for skinny jeans has translated to his competition attire and he’s drawn attention for his X-Games looks, such as slim-fit, zebra-printed trousers and a leather jacket ensemble. He made another statement with an all-black design with gold grommets for the X-Games in ‘13, part of the Burton White Collection, which he helped to design. White is also lending his style sense to the masses, launching a new limited-edition collection with Macy’s dubbed WHT SPACE.
— Heather ZellerAndrew Wiggins



- Minnesota Timberwolves
As a young up-and-coming player in my second year in the league, it’s important you show maturity on and off the court. Looking the part is very important and from my 2014 Draft Day suit—with a black and white floral tuxedo jacket—I feel like I made an impression from the beginning. I think style is a big part of the respect you build as a professional because it shows you care. My style is calm, cool and sometimes out of the box, but always I like to be comfortable so my wardrobe reflects that. My go-to pieces are hoodies, bomber jackets and fly sneakers. Clothes reflect your interests and the music culture gives me inspiration. I was taught if you look good, you play great.
— Andrew WigginsVenus Williams



- WTA tennis player
Like her sister Serena, Venus has a genuine interest in fashion. The 35-year-old holds a fashion degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and is the creator of her own athletic apparel line, EleVen, which she also wears during matches. While her off-duty looks are mostly relaxed and casual, Venus has brought her flair and personality to the court for many years, wearing bold patterns and prints and sporting colorful hairstyles. Venus extended her passion for design to interior decorating with her Florida-based firm, V Starr Interiors. In addition to attending fashion shows, Venus has also collaborated with Ralph Lauren and Diane Von Furstenberg for Reebok.
— Jamie LisantiRussell Wilson



- Seattle Seahawks
With his new fiancé Ciara by his side, 27-year-old Wilson has been making appearances on many red carpets lately and he’s always looking dapper. This year the quarterback also launched his own charitable men’s lifestyle brand, Good Man Brand, which features modern casual wear and donates a portion of profits to his Why Not You Foundation. Wilson’s off-duty style is quite simple and his refined looks are mostly limited to well-tailored suits and crisp button-down shirts. But if you have a “uniform” of clothing you love coming back to and know that you’ll always look great it in, by all means, wear it as much as you want.
— Marcus TroyNasty Gal/Macys
1. “Hey, those are definitely jeans!” Guys may not know much about every type of jean, but they know how to spot a pair of jeans when they see them. It’s like spiders. They’re very distinct and even if you can’t name every single species of spider, you still get it.
2. “Those are some tight jeans.” The only thing better than seeing a lady in a pair of jeans is seeing a lady in a tight pair of jeans. We can’t help it, we like it, but we have to wonder ... can you breathe? And if we are lucky enough to be with you, your jeans, and nothing else one night, will we physically have the strength to shimmy them off without looking like an idiot?
3. “Those are some short jeans.” Here’s the thing: Men like short jeans. They like tight jeans. We don’t need to discuss why. But when you get jeans that are so tight, and so short that instead of appreciation, a man’s initial reaction is to question how those are even possible to get on ... those jeans are too short.
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4. “Now those … those jeans are practical jeans.” Sometimes, we see a pair of jeans and we think to ourselves, That pair of jeans seems like it had mobility in mind.
5. “Wow, what a crazy color for jeans!” Men don’t typically get a lot of options in terms of jean colors. So when we see a fun color like green or pink, we get very jealous. As it stands, the typical male jean colors are blue, black, gray, and beige. But if guys had our pick and could have any color jeans we wanted, we’d probably pick colors like blue, black, gray, and beige. So I guess that explains everything.
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6. “Hey, is that selvage denim?” This is only a thing that a guy can think about your jeans if he knows what ‘selvage denim’ is in the first place. And if he’s bringing up selvage denim as a topic of conversation, he’s either really, really, really into jeans or you’ve run out of things to talk about.
7. “Man, I thought those were jeans, but it turns out they’re jeggings. Pretty tricky.” As a man, it sucks leaning in to take a closer look at a pair of jeans only to find out it’s a different fabric altogether. This is what many people refer to as “false advertising.”
8. “I wonder if those jeans came distressed or if she just does a lot of physical activity.” There are two kinds of people in this world: people who buy ripped jeans, and the kind of people who rip their own jeans after buying them to make it look like they buy their jeans pre-ripped.
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9. "At what point do they stop becoming ’distressed jeans’ and start becoming ’loose pieces of fabric’?" Why take a pair of jeans that’s so shredded it barely even constitutes pants and put them on? Why not just wear jean shorts at that point?
9. “Jeans were originally designed for cowboys and miners and those low-waisted jeans don’t look practical for either.” It just seems like jeans got away from what made them great in the first place: a thick layer of protection against rattlesnakes and tunnel monsters. It’s not like modern jeans are bad or anything, it’s just that I think jeans need to get back to their roots.
10. “I don’t want you to think I’m sexist. It’s 2016. Women can be cowboys and miners too.” To be clear, it’s not that I assume a woman in jeans isn’t a cowboy or miner, it’s just that odds are anyone wearing jeans isn’t either. Besides, those are industries that are shrinking at alarming rates. Cattle are so domesticated that herding them is effectively automated, and there are only so many things we can pull from the earth; mining is definitely a field with an expiration date. And don’t even get me started on fracking.
11. “Seriously, I didn’t mean to make it a big deal." Honestly, some of my best friends are cowboys and miners.
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Frank KobolaFrank is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com
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Things You Should Never Wear On A Date
By Amy Sciarretto/Updated: Feb. 14, 2022 10:26 am EDT
What you wear on a date can be important. Date attire requires careful thought and consideration. But we don't mean date night attire for an evening out with your longtime love or significant other. Rather, date outfits for a get-together with a new suitor need to be deliberately planned.
You don't want to wear anything too sexy, too thrown together, or too calculated. You want to be comfortable and cute, without being too revealing. You also want to look like yourself. That said, you don't want to send unintentional or mixed messages, either. Obviously, what you wear definitely communicates a variety of things to your date. Selecting your ensemble is of critical importance. Here are all the things that you should never wear on a date — though, of course, it's ultimately up to you.
Reconsider wearing thigh-high boots on a date
Thigh-high boots are a total no-no when you're choosing what to wear on a date. Josie May, a love and dating coach, pointed out to The List that these sexy stompers "may look good when you go out dancing with your girlfriends. But unfortunately, on a date, they give off a hooker vibe."
You're not going for Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman before she went shopping with Richard Gere's credit cards on Rodeo Drive. You also don't want to send an overtly sexy message that makes you appear too available or — even worse — easy.
Play up your allure and your mystique, rather than strutting around in this sort of attention-seeking (and getting!) footwear.
Too-tight clothing won't be comfortable to wear on a date
Fit is everything. Antonia Hall, a psychologist, relationship and dating expert and award-winning author, warns against clothes that don't quite fit, especially those that are too small, when you're getting ready for a date. "If your clothes are too tight, it tells the person that you have low self-esteem and are trying to gain attention in the wrong ways," she said. You'll also be fidgeting and fussing with your clothes, which is distracting for both parties.
Rori Sassoon, an image consultant, relationship expert, and CEO and co-founder of elite matchmaking service Platinum Poire, also points to fit as a critical element of a date outfit. Avoid "something that you can't get into and out of, on your own," Sassoon told The List. "What if you need to go to the bathroom and you can't undo the zipper? What are you going to do? Ask your date to unzip you?"
That sends a message you likely didn't intend. "They are going to think, 'She wants me, and she wants me bad,'" Sassoon said. "Then you're going to have to ask them to zip you back up and you'll look like a tease."
Avoid wearing too-loose clothing on a date
If you go the opposite route and wear clothes that are roomy and falling off your body on a date, you can appear sloppy and disinterested in either yourself or the date — or both.
"If your clothes are baggy and loose, you'll look like you didn't put in an effort and just don't really care," psychologist and dating expert Antonia Hall said. Instead, she recommends that you "wear something that fits and shows off your figure without being too sexual and you'll make the best impression."
Baggy may be comfy, but wear something that you love, that fits just right, and shows off the real you!
Clothing with brand icons aren't the best option to wear on a date
Avoid icons and brand names on a date, so you don't look like a walking advertisement when you throw on something to wear on a date. Plus, that's all a bit too casual. Author, speaker, and healer Jaya Jaya Myra told The List, "Never wear clothing that contains slogans or noticeable brand icons. Clothing is meant to be more subtle than that, and properly picked clothing can elevate your ability to communicate with your date."
Plus, you don't want your Hollister hoodie distracting him or communicating with him in your stead. Myra further stated, "You want your date to get to know you without having preconceived notions of who you are before you ever open your mouth — and that won't happen if your clothes broadcast an idea more loudly than your conversation does."
It's a bad idea to wear clothes with slogans on a date
Don't show up to a date wearing silly or corny outward messages on your shirt, either. Celebrity matchmaker Bonnie Winston reminded The List that no one wants to be the butt of a bad joke, saying, "I had a client who was with a man who bought a shirt on the Venice Beach boardwalk. The shirt said, 'I'm with stupid.' He wanted her to wear it and she said. 'No.' They broke up over it... Not everyone has the same sense of humor!"
"One should not wear slogan tees to avoid embodying the slogan for the duration of the date," said Dawnn Karen, MA, EdMc of the fashion psychology field, a discipline that focuses on the hidden synergy between fashion and psychology and the study and treatment of color, beauty, style, image, and shape and its affect on human behavior while addressing cultural sensitivities and norms. Slogan shirts are so unnecessary in this scenario.
Dirty attire is a big no-no when picking out what to wear on a date
While Vanity Capital's Kaitlin Kapur is "not a fan of telling people what they can or cannot wear because style is such a fun way for an individual to express themselves," there's one thing that's totally unacceptable for people to wear on a date: clothes with stains.
Kapur told The List, "One thing you should always avoid is clothing that is dirty and or wrinkled." Don't yank clothes out of your hamper. Make sure your date clothes are clean, pressed, and fresh. Dirty and stained clothes can make you appear messy or unkempt in life and love.
Sports bras are not something people should wear on a date
Professional matchmaker Susan Trombetti draws the line at athletic attire. "Don't ever show up in a date wearing a sports bra," she told The List. "Save it for the gym. I don't care if you are meeting for happy hour drinks at the bar next to the gym and you have a great bod. It's not appropriate, it can be too sexy, it can say 'I don't care,' and it's all too revealing at the same time."
If you are thinking, "Who the hell would wear a sports bra on a date?" — and we certainly were — Trombetti confirmed that it's more common than you think.
Besides, date bras can be sexy and lacy. They can give you confidence, and, if they play peek-a-boo, it's a little tease that adds intrigue and mystery.
Don't be afraid to add color to an all-black wardrobe when deciding what to wear on a date
Yes, black is fashionable and slimming. It's also the preferred monochromatic clothing color of many women. But celebrity matchmaker Bonnie Winston wants you to lighten up when it comes to what you wear on a date.
"Please don't dress as if you're attending a funeral, date, after date, after date," she advised. "The message is very depressing. At least, try to lighten things up with a few colorful accessories." If you're someone who personally abides by an "all black everything" style and is only comfortable in head-to-toe black, don't just nix this suggestion. Try to see Winston's point. We recommend mixing black and gray. That way, you can rock shades of black but you won't give off the goth vibe. Because #compromise.
Maybe skip the tight skirts on date night
Tight skirts are to be avoided on a date, as well, according to Diane Pollack, a wardrobe consultant in New York City. Pollack warns against tight skirts, since they can ride up and cause you to be fidgeting with them (and likely being visibly uncomfortable) instead of concentrating on the conversation or how cute your date is.
"Never wear something that is uncomfortable and doesn't fit," Pollack told The List. "For instance, that tight skirt that keeps riding up and you keep needing to pull it down. Or the top that won't stay up and you keep having to pull it up. Or those 'killer' stilettos that are really killing your feet. Basically... anything that you are pre-occupied with is going to detract from you being present and having fun on the date."
It's best to avoid distracting prints when deciding what to wear on a date
Distracting prints are no bueno because they draw attention away from you. Emmy Award-winning stylist David Zyla, author of Color Your Style and How to Win at Shopping, reminded The List, "When dressing for a date, avoid all prints, logos, and anything that distracts from you." As a remedy, Zyla said to focus on particular bodily real estate when choosing what to wear on a date.
He further noted, "Since most dates are over dinner or drinks, always dress as you would for a portrait, aka from the waist up, employing your most flattering color and a neckline that follows the shape of your jaw. Hint: The most flattering item to wear on a date is a top or dress in your favorite lipstick color, guaranteed to bring out the sexiest, most romantic side of you."
Don't wear things on a date that you wouldn't normally wear
Don't dress for a date like someone a friend wouldn't recognize. In other words, don't present yourself as someone you aren't when picking out what to wear on a date. Rose Jubb, a wardrobe stylist in Portland who specializes in helping women claim more confidence and reach their goals, told The List, "The one thing a woman should never wear on a date is anything that makes her feel like someone she is not. Basically, don't fish with the wrong bait. Be yourself, but the slightly polished version, and you'll reel in the keepers who love you for you."
Dating experts say to not put on perfume before a date
Pause the perfume, people. April Davis, dating expert and CEO of LUMA Luxury Matchmaking, says to nix fragrance when going on a date, which might seem counterintuitive, since aromas can be sexy and alluring and can allow your date to remember you. But they can also overwhelm the olfactory sense.
"Sure, your favorite scent makes you feel like a bombshell," Davis told The List. "But that doesn't mean he will think the same. We're all sensitive to smell and if you chose the wrong scent, you might be risking it all! Save the perfume for when you have your new love interest on lock down!"
Sweaters aren't the best choice when choosing what to wear on a date
You can end up appearing frumpy if you choose to wear a loose sweater on a date. "A huge attire mistake for a first date — primarily in the fall or winter — is sweaters," dating expert April Davis said. "They're cute and cozy, but they're more of a third or fourth date kind of thing."
Unless you regularly go for that pinup look with a fuzzy, angora fabric, which can be a little too much during the "getting to know you" phase, "sweaters aren't usually form-fitting and can be a little frumpy," she noted. "The first few dates are your time to spark interest," Davis explained. Yes, mystery is nice, but you don't want to crush their imagination with an outfit their mom might have worn last Christmas."
Don't wear shoes you can't walk in on a date
Marilyn Monroe once said, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." You can wear flats. You can wear heels. Just make sure you wear what you can walk in for your date.
Personal shopper and expert stylist Jocelyn Kaye weighed in on date footwear, telling The List, "Nothing kills the mood more quickly than feeling physically uncomfortable. Dates often take serendipitous turns and we find ourselves walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or on a romantic stroll through a park — a little adventure is a true aphrodisiac! Feeling comfortable and confident is key so opt for a kitten or block heel rather than a stiletto, if you go with heels."
Really high heels can cause trouble on a date
However, if you are a total Carrie Bradshaw and are most comfortable in towering heels, so be it. Just be sure to know what your date has planned, since you can't wear six-inch pumps if you're going to be doing a lot of walking. If the date is a surprise, manage your heel height. Fashion blogger Billie Jean Bateson told The List, "The most important thing you should never wear on a date is extremely high heels — above three inches — if you don't know where you will go."
What if your suitor has a romantic stroll planned? Imagine how miserable you'd be in sky-high heels! Bateson continued, "No matter how amazing they look, you have to admit that they are uncomfortable and you don't want to hobble the whole time, especially if he wants to prolong the date and suggests you take a stroll down to the river. It's gonna be a nightmare, believe me!" Wearing comfy shoes means "you can be ready for anything without fear," according to Bateson.
Compromise with a manageable heel height, as recommended by stylist Jocelyn Kaye.
Noisy jewelry can be too loud on a date
Noisy accessories are also not appropriate for a date. Dating and relationship coach Christine Baumgartner believes that what "a woman shouldn't wear on a date is noisy jewelry." Baumgartner explained, "I encourage women to occasionally touch their hair, since men like seeing this, the arm of their date, since this breaks the personal space barrier between them and also lets the woman see how she feels when she touches him, and to sometimes use their hands while they talk because it can show how passionate they are about the subject. And wearing jewelry that makes sounds would be very distracting."
Quiet accessories are preferred to prevent any additional distraction while getting tactile with your date!
Take off your sunglasses before going on a date
The eyes are the windows to the soul, so don't block yourself from connecting with someone on a deeper level by wearing shades on a date. "Everyone looks better in a pair of designer sunglasses, but it stops the one thing you want from a first date: that soul-level connection," said relationship coach Dr. Siva. "If the eyes are the windows to the soul, why hide them? Men tell me that it makes women look unapproachable and also distant. Many of them do not even click on women wearing sunglasses in their dating profiles."
It's been scientifically proven that the whites of the eyes deliver lots of messages. Siva explained, "The sclera (whites) of your eyes are designed to enhance communication with your partner by showing which way you are looking. Studies show we naturally learn this as babies, even before we can speak."
So ditch the Ray-Bans and the Diors if you want to connect for real.
Save the sloppy undies for laundry day, not your date
Carina Pedersen, resident "Knicker Lady" and concierge stylist at [Enclosed], a luxury lingerie company, suggests keeping undies private — but pretty — for your date.
"Heaven forbid you show up to a first date in ugly undergarments," she told The List. "You are only doing yourself a disservice, as nothing eats away at your self-confidence like unflattering and uncomfortable knickers. On that first date, you want to feel desirable, attractive, and sensual. The way you feel on the inside projects onto your interaction with your date and a little extra boost of confidence can go a long way."
Throw on some sexy undies, even if it's only you who knows you are wearing them. "Wearing fantastic lingerie under your clothes on a date doesn't have to be overtly sexual, it can (and might) remain your little secret," Pedersen explained. "The bottom line is if you feel empowered and sexy, your partner will notice too."
Yoga pants aren't the right bottoms to wear on a date
The "are leggings pants?" argument is a both a raging and prevalent one, with fashion types firmly divided on the issue. That said, leggings and yoga pants are popular. They are also fine for exercise, for running errands, for grabbing coffee with your friends, and for dressing up with an oversized top and heels. They are, however, crossed off the date attire list.
"Leave the yoga pants at home," said wardrobe stylist Rose Jubb. "Every item of clothing serves a purpose, but I'd never tell you to wear a cocktail dress to Pilates."
On a date, do you, be you
At the end of the day, you can wear whatever you like and are comfortable in on a date. Do you, be you. These tips are simply designed to provide some help along the way. Laura Bilotta, a dating coach and matchmaker in Toronto, noted that "deciding what to wear on a date is stressful; you want to look attractive, yet effortless, which is tricky. Ultimately, the number one thing that you shouldn't wear on a date is something you aren't comfortable wearing."
That extends to physical and emotional comfort. "If you're constantly going to be pulling down your dress, checking to see if you bra is showing or not paying attention because your feet hurt too much, then you aren't going to have a good time, and your date probably won't either," she says.
Try your date outfit on and wear it once prior to a date. Test-driving the ensemble will remove the margin for error. "If you're comfortable in the outfit you've chosen, you can relax and focus on your date," says Bilotta.
What Your Outfit Says to Him
Can’t decide what to wear on a first date? While you can dress for a first date based on your zodiac sign, if you’re straight girl looking to get with a straight guy — we rounded up some hetero men to give you quality feedback and insights into their brains. Here are our expert straight dudes with fashion opinions to guide you.
Busting out a pair of jeans
You’re in luck. Men like jeans. As Victoria Beckham says in her style guide That Extra Half an Inch, “More than any other piece of clothing, jeans can show off your figure at its best,” and this is not lost on guys. “I love seeing a girl in stylish jeans and a cute top. This is a simple outfit that shows confidence, a casual mood, sexiness, and also lets me know that she’s just being herself,” says Nathan, 31. Twenty-eight-year-old Tyler’s all-time favourite date outfit was “ripped jeans, a cute jacket and red patent high heels.”
Slipping on some heels
We all know that men find heels sexy, but apparently, they’re not a necessity. “I don’t notice shoes for the most part,” says Nathan. “I think the best outfits are the ones that combine style with comfort.” Tyler agrees: “I’ve dated girls who I have to hold on to because they can barely walk in their heels. Heels should only be worn if you are confident and want to wear them.” And for Michael, 25, when girls start choosing high tops over heels, “I’ll be in heaven.”
Pulling on those sexy boots
Boots must signal something deep in the sexy psyche of men. They seem to have very strong–and usually positive–reactions to the idea. “I can’t say why, but I love the look of knee-high boots,” says Nathan. Mike, 30, is even more exuberant: “Love ’em! Love! ‘Em!” High-top-loving Michael has mixed feelings: “With the right outfit they say sexy, with the wrong outfit they say, ‘would you like a lap dance?'”
Picking out the perfect accessories
Don’t worry too much about your accessories. Guys don’t notice jewellery unless you’re wearing too much. “The odds of any straight man parsing the psychology of earring length are beyond small. Odds are, we’re checking out how her boobs are presented and trying not to be caught,” says Mike.

Going for ultra femme with dresses
Dresses might say that you’re dressed up. They might say nothing at all. Both Mike and Nathan expect a dress if it’s warm enough to wear one. But it doesn’t rate higher than nice jeans and a sexy top.
Going fancy
While a casual dress is fine, the general consensus is that being over-dressed can be overkill. “Personal style says a lot about the individual,”says Nathan. “When I see a girl who over-dresses, it screams that she’s making up for something with decoration.” Josh, 26, is wary of label whores. “Name brands usually mean the night isn’t dutch. Be careful: she probably has zero sense of humour,” he says.
Keeping it really, really casual
We’ve discovered that jeans are a good thing but that doesn’t mean that your oldest jeans and grubby sneakers are date-appropriate. “If she shows up in runners, jeans and a T-shirt, then I know there really wasn’t much effort put in to looking her best. I want the girl to be comfortable in what she is wearing but I hope that she wants to look your best for me as well,” says Tyler.
Putting on a face of makeup
It’s true that we can get away with wearing more makeup than we’d admit to and still look fresh as a daisy–and that’s the way it should be. Guys just don’t get glitter. They truly are interested in what your face looks like. And, says Michael, “Too much makeup is the ultimate turn off!” Mike adds, “If someone is too elaborately made up, I worry I would spend weekends waiting for her to get ready, answering a never-ending barrage of this-top-or-this-top questions.”
Ramping up the sexy
This is where the truth comes out. As down-to-earth as guys want you to be, they will not argue if you dress like a bit of a sex kitten. Not overly dressy of course, and not half naked (“If you have to make an effort not to stare down at certain places, that’s awkward,” says Tyler) but subtly sexy is good. “If a girl is comfortable and confident in tight clothing showing lots of skin then I’m all for it,” says Nathan. According to Mike, “Sexy is not a turnoff. Sex is a completely happy outcome for any first date. Whether it leads to a second date, that depends on how date number one goes.”
Written by Vanessa Grant
How to Dress Up
Parties are often preceded by fun questions, like what to give? Who to bring (if you have a plus one, that is)? When to arrive? And, crucially, what to wear? Most of us don’t just happen to have a floor-length silk gown or a tailcoat hanging around in our closet, waiting for the day our Met Gala invite finally arrives. But would that even be the right kind of thing to wear to such an event? We’ve got answers, and options, for every possible occasion on your social calendar.
Why Do We Dress Up?
Social obligations are not prerequisites for feeling great about your appearance. You can dress up simply because looking good makes you happy. But more often than not, the situations where we put a lot of care into our outfits are big events with explicit dress codes. The best-case scenario is that we’re dressing for both reasons: because it boosts our self-esteem and because we want to look situationally appropriate.
Still, knowing what is appropriate can be a head-scratcher. The dress code might be implied, and even when it’s made explicit, the jargon can be difficult to decode. Which is why we spelled it out for you here.
If the invitation says...
- Casual: You do not need to dress up. Sneakers, jeans and T-shirts are all acceptable, and even encouraged.
- Dressy casual: You should dress up, but only a little. It’s often just a matter of wearing nicer shoes, a snazzier top or pants that aren’t blue jeans (though denim is fine with the right kind of shirt -- more on that later).
- Business attire: You should dress as someone might for a client-facing job. Of course, there is plenty of variation within this category. It might mean a suit, a knee-length skirt, or a blazer and khaki bottoms. But it definitely means no jeans and no sneakers.
- Cocktail: You should dress much nicer than you do every day. Try separates in satin, silk or velvet. Suits. When in doubt, wear black.
- Black tie: You should wear a very elegant dress – say, a long gown or a cocktail dress that’s on the fancier side – or a tuxedo.
- White tie: You should look very fancy. Tailcoats, floor-length gowns and, potentially, white gloves are all on the table.
Now let’s get specific.
Casual
Dos
Jeans and a T-shirt: When the most casual of outfits is perfectly acceptable, you might as well go with it.
Khakis, modest shorts, day dresses and skirts
Anything cotton or linen: In the summertime especially, it’s more pleasant to wear breathable fabrics, and these can easily be dressed up or down.
Basically, you want to dress like any of the characters on your favorite sitcom routinely do: in comfortable clothing that is neither ostentatious nor schlubby.
Don'ts
Graphic T’s: Plain T-shirts are great, but ones with inflammatory words or images might be better left at home. The Emily Post Institute, whose mission is to educate people about etiquette, advises against shirts that bear slogans altogether.
Anything clearly ripped or stained: It’s a matter of self-respect more than anything, but it also shows respect for your host and fellow guests when you dress in clean clothes. Intentional distressing on denim is fine.
Uncomfortable clothing: This is always a don’t, but there’s no reason to dress outside your comfort zone when the dress code is casual. The idea is to come as you are.
Where Casual is Appropriate
- Friendly gatherings: BBQs, housewarming parties
- Informal dinner outings
- Traveling
Dressy Casual
Dos
Dress: A shirt dress or a sweater dress can appear refined and relaxed at once.
Blouse or button-down shirt: You can’t go wrong with a crisp, classic top. Add a blazer to dress the look up a notch or two.
Dark denim: Unfaded indigo or black jeans can make an outfit feel instantly more evening-appropriate.
“Going-out top”: These shirts – often constructed from synthetic materials and sometimes bought cheaply from fast-fashion stores – are meant to make a casual look a little more club-ready. Ultimately, a going-out top is anything that makes you feel good.
Jumpsuit: It’s a stylish one-piece alternative to the dress that can be scaled for elegance. Boiler suits in particular are very trendy this year.
Don'ts
Sneakers: unless they are very clean and not the type you would wear to the gym
Shorts: just don't.
Where Dressy Casual is Appropriate
- A first date
- Most nights out with friends (unless the dress code is explicit).
Business
Dos
If business casual: khakis or dark dress pants; a button-down shirt; sport coat or blazer; tie optional.
If business formal: dark suit, dress shirt and dress shoes; silk tie; sheath dress; pencil skirt. Think Kerry Washington on “Scandal,” or any of the esteemed actors on USA Network’s “Suits.”
Don'ts
Sneakers, not even nice ones: They will make you stand out in a bad way.
Jeans: Business attire is not the same as tech company work attire.
Clothing that distracts. Our fashion critic Vanessa Friedman says that “clothes should not be the focus of attention,” which means “they should not be what colleagues or friends remember after a meeting.”
Anything that makes you wonder, “Is this a bad idea?” If you’re thinking it before you leave the house, your thoughts will only get louder throughout the day.
When Business Attire is Appropriate
- Most workplaces and related events
- Networking mixers
- Job interviews
- Conferences
Cocktail/Semi Formal
Dos
Dress: You’ll want to wear a dress that is made of a refined fabric (like silk, lace or taffeta) and cuts around the knee. It should be much more formal than a sundress, but less formal than a ballgown. Most department stores and online retailers have sections devoted to party dresses, and any of those should do.
Suit: Most people wear dark suits to occasions with this dress code, but if the event is a daytime party, a light suit (beige, gray) is totally fine.
Dressy separates: If you wear a very snazzy top (think sequins or silk), you can probably get away with dress pants (say, velvet) or a skirt on the bottom.
Jumpsuit: Everyone wears dresses. Why not do wear something that makes a statement?
Dress shoes, pumps
When in doubt, wear black.
Don'ts
Anything too short or tight (unless you love being physically uncomfortable for hours at an event).
Jeans: This is definitely not the time or place for America’s favorite pant.
Plain cotton anything.
When Cocktail/Semi Formal is Appropriate
- Some weddings
- Evening fundraisers
- Proms and other formal school events
Open Thread
A look from across The New York Times at the forces that shape the dress codes we share, with Vanessa Friedman as your personal shopper. Sent weekly.
Black Tie
Dos
Dress: Long gown or a very elegant cocktail dress: This can be elevated with jewelry and other accessories.
Tuxedo
Pumps or strappy sandals
Black wingtips or oxfords
Remember how the characters on “Gossip Girl” dressed for special occasions? That’s the bar here.
Don'ts
It’s not a strict rule, but most people advise against bright colors for practical reasons: They’re harder to rewear and more difficult to clean.
Scuffed shoes: Even if they are dress shoes, you want them to be in tip-top condition.
When Black Tie is Appropriate
White Tie
Dos
Floor-length gown
Tailcoat jacket
Jewels
Long white gloves: optional, and sort of extra, but isn’t that the point?
Looking like royalty is the ideal outcome.
Don'ts
An above-the-knee dress
Suit: Your business attire is dapper, but it’s not welcome here!
When White Tie is Appropriate
- A very, very fancy wedding, if explicitly stated on the invitation
- The Met Gala, or any fund-raiser of its caliber
Tips and Advice
How to Save Money
Dressing up, even once in a while, can easily become expensive. Anyone who is familiar with the marathon of weddings that begins in one’s 20s and never really ends knows that dressing up can feel like an expensive chore. You can’t really help it that you’re popular or that your friends are in love, but preparing for these celebrations and gatherings doesn’t have to break the bank.
- Shop smart: Knowing where to buy occasion wear is half the battle, and not everyone’s recommendations will fit your idea of what’s affordable. The easiest and least expensive option is to browse what online retailers like Lulus and Asos have to offer. There are also fairly affordable sustainable brands like Reformation whose garments may incur a smaller carbon footprint. Second-hand and consignment stores can also have gems from high-quality labels. If you can’t find any such stores locally, the RealReal and thredUP resell clothes from luxury and midpriced brands.
- Rent, don’t buy: Truly no one needs to own a ballgown. Companies like Rent the Runway (now offering an Unlimited subscription service) and Armarium let you pick from a trove of designer offerings, then return the wares after your special occasion is history.
- Rewear your look: It can be costly to buy a new outfit for every occasion on your social calendar. If you purchase pieces that are basic enough (the simple black cocktail dress, for example) you can wear them over and over again. Tiffany Haddish has done it on the red carpet, and we all stand to learn from her eco- and budget-friendly example.
- Ask a friend: Maybe you know someone who has a dress or a suit you can borrow. Think of it as a rental, but free! But make sure to offer to pay for their dry cleaning so that the loan is no imposition.
How to Make it Look Good
Speaking of which, clothing – especially dressy clothing – should not simply be worn. It often requires alterations or D.I.Y. hacks to look as good as possible. And, crucially, garments should be cared for, especially when they are costly or beloved. Here are some things to consider:
- Alterations: If you’ve purchased a piece that doesn’t fit quite like a glove, or you have a well-worn outfit that’s due for some fixes, you might want to visit a tailor or a dry cleaner who performs alterations ahead of your event. Before you just walk into the nearest shop, it’s worth asking friends for recommendations: Once the fabric is cut, it can’t really be restored. Wherever you go, make sure you drop off the garment at least three weeks before you’ll need to wear it.
- Shapewear: Let’s start by saying that everyone’s body is wonderful and nothing must be done to make it look good in a dress. But, if you would like your clothes to lay smooth and flat on your person, there are plenty of things you can buy. The folks at Spanx and Commando produce seamless undergarments that are virtually undetectable underneath even the slinkiest dresses.
- Tape: If after the alterations and shapewear, something about your outfit still feels precarious, there’s always good old tape. Kim Kardashian proudly uses it to secure her dresses and decolletage, and she says gaffer tape works best. There’s also fashion tape and toupee tape, which are really just two types of double-sided tape with fancy names.
- Ironing and steaming: Creases can put a wrinkle in anyone’s plans to look great, so before you go out, consider ironing or steaming your outfit and putting it on a hanger so that it retains its polished appearance. Our friends at Wirecutter recommend Maytag's M400 iron for those who are in the market. Handheld steamers are a great investment, too, as they travel well and work like a charm.
- Cleaning and other garment care: It’s worth noting that your wares will get dirty. Our friend Alainna Lexie Beddie at T Magazine has solutions for all of the stains and scuffs your clothes and shoes are likely to incur given your busy social schedule.
How to Upgrade Any Look
Sometimes a dress code can feel rote – more like a uniform than an expression of personal style. This is especially true if you’ve built up a wardrobe of rewearable pieces and they’ve each made appearances at several occasions. Here are a few ways to make sure your outfit comes together and feels fresh:
- Accessories: By this point, you’ve picked the perfect outfit. You will look great no matter what. But if you have the time and means, consider the distinguishing details. Have you thought about jewelry? What tie you’ll wear? How you’ll carry your necessities? Whether you’ll need a coat, and which one to wear? These questions are best addressed at least a week prior to the event, so you have time to shop or borrow from a friend if needed. Or maybe the answer is in your closet. If you always sport a silk tie, for example, you could try that knit one you got as a gift but haven’t worn yet.
- Hair: Maybe you show up to work with wet hair every day. That’s O.K.! But you probably don’t want to do it on your best friend’s wedding day. Special occasions can present an opportunity for a haircut (at least a couple days in advance), or a hairdo (likely the day of). As long as your hair doesn’t appear visibly slept-on, greasy or otherwise unkempt, you’re doing fine.
- Nails: Again, none of this is obligatory, and you should only do it if it makes you feel happy. Does getting your nails done make you feel happy? Yes? Then do it! If not … maybe just cut them and make sure they’re clean.
About the Author
Bonnie Wertheim is a staff editor in the Styles section. She loves to get dressed, most often in oversized clothes and clogs.
12 Stylish First Date Outfits for Men (Women Love #5)
You can’t afford to not make a strong first impression
The date is set. You did it, man! You got up the nerve to ask the pretty little lady that’s been on your mind, out on a date. But now you’ve got to figure out what to wear on a first date.
For many, asking out a woman is the hardest, most nerve-wracking part of this entire process. It’s all serenity from here on out.

Until you realized, you don’t know what to wear on your first date.
That’s the whole reason why you’re here.
And I’m here to help guide you through every step of the way of picking out the perfect outfit for your first date.
But first, before jumping into outfit ideas, there are a few things we need to address that will directly affect your outfit decision.
How to Decide What to Wear on a First Date
There are many components that go into deciding what to wear on your first date. Where are you going? Are you wanting a second date with this person? What’s your own personal style?
There are many questions to be asked before choosing your first outfit, and you want to make a great first impression on this woman, I’m sure. And intimidatingly enough, according to scientists from Princeton University, it only takes about 1/10th of a second to form an opinion about someone.
There’s no time to waste. You need to make a strong, great first impression when your date lays eyes on you. Your clothes will speak for you before you even open your mouth, so choose wisely.
Date Location
Your date location is going to directly coincide with your outfit decision. No one wears a suit to a coffee shop at noon, whereas similarly, you don’t want to wear ripped jeans and a simple tee to the fanciest restaurant in town in the evening.

If you’re choosing the date location, then it’s going to say a lot about your personality. Of course, you want to choose a restaurant that will impress her(if you plan on having a second date), but you also want to feel like yourself and comfortable when going on this first date.
No one wants to feel unnecessarily uncomfortable on a first date. So pick a place where you’ll be impressing her, but you can also dress in a way that you feel most comfortable and like yourself.
So once you decide whether you’re going to a fancy restaurant and you’re going to dress it up, or a nice little coffee shop or family-owned restaurant where you can wear an everyday outfit and just spice it up, then we can talk about what you’re going to want to wear.
Personal Style
Listen, you do not want to pretend to be someone you’re not.
This goes for many reasons, but think about this. You show up to your first date dressed like someone you’re not and in a way that you’re not comfortable, but your date is digging it.
Your second/third date comes along and either you have to keep changing who you truly are for this person, or you’ll show your real self and the other person is out.

Or it could go totally vice-versa. You might miss your dream-girl because you were pretending to be someone you’re not, and she doesn’t like this persona or front you’re putting up.
So what I want to encourage you to do is this: Be the best version of yourself on this date.
If you like to wear casual outfits, just accessorize a little and put in the extra effort. If you like to dress it up, then do just that, just make sure your outfit matches the occasion.
Still wondering what to wear on a first date? Don’t worry. We have loads of examples on what to wear on a first date coming up in a jiffy.
First Date Outfit Ideas for Men
So as a man, what should you wear on your first date? Let’s consider the weather: will it be hot or cold outside? Are you going to a restaurant or are you going hiking? Let’s go over some 3 options for any of these possible scenarios.
Casual First Date Outfit for Mens
These 3 casual first date outfits are perfect for a lunch date, an early evening out-to-dinner, or even an evening walk through the town. These outfits feel like you put in the effort, but you didn’t try too hard. Check em out!
Casual First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: A simple sweater with a jean jacket thrown on top, white fitted-jeans, dark brown shoes, and a watch.
This outfit says “I’m professional, yet a good time. I thought about this outfit, but not too hard.”
You match, you look nice, and your date will notice and appreciate the effort you put into this outfit full of neutral colors.
Casual First Date Outfit Option #2.
Outfit combination: Dark denim fitted-jeans, light denim button-up with a mustard knit sweater thrown over top, and of course, a watch. For shoes, if you want to continue a casual vibe, you could wear a pair of Vans or any white sneakers. You could also dress it up by wearing some oxfords or casual dress shoes.
All of these pieces are pretty much staples of anyone’s closet. You can recreate this entire outfit with any fitted-jeans and button-up. Layering your clothes is a huge yes, especially during chilly seasons. If it’s really cold outside, pair this outfit with a scarf and coat.
Casual First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: A pair of pants cuffed at the bottom or rolled up, a short-sleeved button-up, a watch, a necklace, bracelet and watch.
This outfit is simple, and that’s why you can play so much with the accessories. He didn’t go over the top with them, though. The accessories are subtle, and all are in the same color family. Stick to all silver or all gold for aesthetically pleasing results.
This outfit is perfect for any warm day for a walk around or coffee date.
Fancy First Date Outfit for Men
If you really want to woo your date and take her somewhere fancy, then you need your outfit to match the tone of the place you want to take her. Here are three fancy first date outfits.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: White fitted-jeans, A light-blue button-up with the appropriate number of buttons undone (which is 2-3), A brown sports coat, a watch, and leather shoes.
This outfit is fancy, yet still casual, in a sense. It doesn’t feel like you’re about to go to a fancy wedding, but it does say “I’m serious about this and you.”. The perfect fancy date night outfit.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #2.
Of the 12 outfits in this article this is the look that the ladies we polled found like most. While it’s on the fancier side, if you live in a metro area you may be able to pull it off on more casual settings.
You’ll have to be comfortable with this look for it to work, of course.

Outfit combination: Grey and white plaid dress pants, brown leather shoes, matching leather belt, white button-up, bracelets and watch.
You could definitely add a grey or navy sports coat to dress this outfit even more, but this outfit is perfect for a warmer day.
Fancy First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: White button-up, grey vest, colorful handkerchief, dark jeans, and probably black or brown leather dress shoes.
This outfit is as manly as it is fancy. It’s perfect for when it’s too warm outside to wear a coat on top. The handkerchief gives this neutral outfit the perfect amount of color to stand out.
First Date Outfit for The Movies
Going to the movies is always a safe option for a first date. It’s casual, fun, and you automatically have something to talk about after the movie is over. Here are three perfect first date outfits to wear to the movies.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: Grey ripped jeans, grey t-shirt, black leather jacket, white sneakers, brown pack-pack.
We all know that the movie theatre is a little bit chillier than it should be. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show off your chivalry. Wear a jacket to the movies and when she’s cold, offer your jacket to her.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #2.

Outfit combination: black skinny jeans + slim chain, black boots, black tee, brown suede jackets, and watch.
The suede jacket here is the key piece to the entire outfit. It gives it just enough color to make the all-black outfit stand out. It’s a classic outfit and is still stylish.
The Movies – Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: black ripped skinny jeans, white t-shirt, open button-up, white sneakers.
This outfit is so simple, yet very nice. It’s the perfect casual outfit, but you still look put together. The ultimate lazy boy outfit. Everyone, literally, everyone has all of these pieces in their closet. It’s just all up to how you pair and style them.
Sporty First Date Outfits for Men
Maybe you and the girl you asked out are a little more active than the average person and want to do something different, like hiking, rock-climbing, or going to play mini-golf or frisbee. There’s a way to look nice and sporty. Here are three outfits for you to be inspired by for your outdoorsy date.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #1.

Outfit combination: Black sweatpants with white stripe, black simple tee, watch, sunglasses, and black and white sneakers.
This is a prime example of how to be ready to run around and be sporty, while still being fashionable. Find some dressy sweatpants and wear some nice, clean sneakers, and you’re set.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #2.

Outfit combination: Green sweatpants, grey t-shirt with cuffed sleeves, a sporty watch, a bracelet, and white sneakers.
Another way to style a simple t-shirt and change the entire look of it, is by simply rolling up the sleeves. By doing this, it looks like you put more effort into your outfit. It’s such an easy trick that spices up your entire look and it only takes a few seconds to do.
Sporty First Date Outfit Option #3.

Outfit combination: grey shorts, long green tee, white sneakers, and a cap turned backward.
A simple outfit like this needs to be accessorized. A hat, a watch, a bracelet, or anything will make this outfit look 10x better and will show that you have a sense of style and that you put some effort and thought into making a simple outfit look better.
Final thoughts
Before closing out, I just want to say a few more things.
Sometimes, it’s not about the clothes you wear, but how they fit you. The same shirt in two different sizes will look completely different on you. Don’t go too tight that it looks too small on you, but not too baggy that it looks like it’s a size too big.
Be well-groomed. Trim your beard, get a last-minute haircut. Show her you care about how you look and take care of yourself. By caring for yourself, you show that you’re capable of caring for others as well.
Be safe. If you’re meeting (or thinking about meeting) an online date, make sure you do a little background check on them to make sure they’re legit. DateID can help you know who you’re meeting a little bit better. It may even help you come up with ways to dazzle her with great first date conversation topics.
And most importantly, be yourself. Confidence is everything. You could have all the knowledge and money in the world, but not have a good time with your date because you’re not confident with who you are. Have fun, let loose, be you, and enjoy your first date. Read more of our best online dating tips for men.
I hope you found these idea on what to wear on a first date helpful. Let us know in the comments which outfit was your favorite and what you’ll be wearing on your next first date!
Pretty much all the ripped-jeans outfit ideas I've gotten have come from pop culture. I might be dating myself here, but I remember being a little kid and watching an episode of the seminal 1980s sitcom Family Ties during which flighty older sister Mallory (Justine Bateman) returns home from a shopping trip, pulls out a pristine pair of designer blue jeans, then takes a scissor from the drawer and starts hacking away, setting the tone for my future obsession with garments that look blatantly well-worn.
In the grungy 1990s, I saw people like Kurt Cobain, Janet Jackson, Christina Applegate, and the entire cast of Beverly Hills 90210 wearing variations of the ripped-jeans outfit, usually in the form of perfectly distressed light-wash Levi's with worn holes at the knees.
Things got crazy in the early 2000s, with stars no longer content rocking jeans with obedient knee tears, but rather aggressive slashes up and down the leg, often paired with a sliver of midriff and not one but two layered tank tops or a silk lace cami.
During the 2010s, boyfriend jeans made waves—slouchy denim that, as the name implies, looked as if it belonged to the person you're sleeping with—many of which had rips in the knees, although denim trends were dictated largely during the latter half of the decade by new cuts, colors, and washes. Which brings us to now.
It appears the ripped jeans have come back around, as evidenced by street-style stars at Fashion Week, retailers from Zara and ASOS to Shopbop and Net-a-Porter. I'm personally interested in the new ways women are styling their holey denim, making it appropriate for weekends and evenings but also, in some cases, the office.
Keep scrolling for a master class on how to wear ripped jeans that feel very 2020.

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