Dates are often stress-inducing situations. You’ve been put on the spot with someone who you barely know and are expected to impress them. Careful planning is needed for every aspect of your date in order to reduce this stress and because one minor hiccup could be enough to mean the next date is cancelled. All of the elements must be carefully considered – where you should go, how you should do your make-up, what conversations you should have, what conversations you should avoid having…

One of the most important things to consider – cliché, I know – is what you’re going to wear. Clothes are one of the first things someone notices about a person, so make sure you get them right. Plus, if you’ve met through dating websites or this is a blind date, your new match will have very little idea – if any – of what you look like and this will be the first chance to make an impact. So, here’s an idea of what to wear for your date, conveniently categorised by dating venue:

For a restaurant…

Restaurants are great places to dress up, especially if you’re going somewhere posh. The fact that you’ll be sitting down for most of the date also means its okay to risk wearing heels and feel fairly confident you won’t fall over in them! Go for a stylish and flattering, though not too suggestive, dress. Try to stick to one colour, as some patterns are off-putting and will distract from, rather than enhance, your figure. Then pick matching, though not too high, heels and a few pieces of delicate silver jewellery.

For a drink…

A drink is much less formal than a sit-down meal. Make sure you’re wearing acceptably sensible shoes here, as there could be dancing involved and you wouldn’t want to find yourself face-down in the middle of the dance floor! Why not wear dark-coloured fitted jeans or a pencil skirt and a figure-hugging top to place your style perfectly between smart and casual? Wear a small pair of heels, too – skinny jeans with stilettos are a particularly favoured look just now.

For a coffee…

Going for a coffee is so casual it can hardly even be called a date. Therefore, for this kind of date, you really don’t want to look like you’ve made too much of an effort. Try to just dress as you would normally and use the opportunity to bring out your personality through what you’re wearing. Maybe add an extra dab of make-up, though!

For a day out…

This will obviously depend entirely on what the ‘day out’ involves. Assuming it will be based mainly outdoors and consist of quite a bit of walking, wear something you’re comfortable in so you can enjoy your day as much as possible. Also, you’ll want to make sure you stay warm. A fitted pair of jeans with a pair of flat boots and an overly large jumper could be a good look. Also, wear a nice top underneath to wow them with when you stop for a coffee and start to shed layers.

For a show…

This is your chance to go really over-the-top, especially if it’s an opera or a theatre production. Go for an elegant long dress and glitzy accessories. Heels are definitely allowed, too, as again you’ll be sitting down for most of this date.

Whether you met through online dating London websites or on public transport, these outfits are bound to wow your date! Just make sure you’ve got the venue right!