HOW TO DRESS FOR A FIRST DATE
As October gets in full swing, Summer flings are fading and the dating apps are busy again. And with that comes the familiar first-date questions: will there be chemistry, what will you talk about, and what should you wear?
If the outfit is the part you keep coming back to, you’re in good company as 52% of singles say choosing what to wear is more stressful than deciding what to talk about, and 59% have changed outfits more than once before a date.*
The good news is that first-date dressing does not need to be complicated, and at Brook Taverner we aim to make it as simple as possible with a few simple principles, and one or two well-chosen pieces to take you most of the way.
Oli Campbell’s First-Date Rules
Our Retail Director, Oliver Campbell, has spent years helping customers dress for the moments that matter. Here are his rules for getting the first date right:
1. Dress for the plan
Think about where you are going and what you will be doing. Turning up overdressed can feel just as awkward as being underdressed, and a gallery date calls for a different look to a pub quiz.
2. Make an effort, but don't overdo it
Your outfit should show you have thought about the date, without looking as though you spent three hours planning it. Start with one good piece, such as a fine-knit jumper or a well-cut pair of trousers and build around it.
3. Choose comfort over costume
If you are adjusting your outfit all evening, you are not listening to your date. Pieces that fit well and feel natural let you forget about your clothes entirely.
4. First-Date Etiquette Starts Before You Say Hello
You do not need to dress formally, but looking considered quietly shows your date that you have made an effort.
5. Stay you
A first date is not the moment to try out a new persona. Wear what feels like you, just a little sharper.
Free First-Date Styling This October
If you would rather talk it through, our style team is here to help. From 7th to 31st October, participating Brook Taverner stores are offering free one-to-one styling sessions.
Tell us whether you are planning a candlelit dinner, a gallery visit or a pint and a catch-up and we’ll help you put together a look that fits well, suits the occasion and feels like you.
The first customers to spend £60 or more in store can also choose a free piece of knitwear. A good knit is one of the easiest ways to look pulled together without seeming overdone. Simply visit your nearest store and we will be happy to help.
Free styling is available at participating stores, 7th–31st October. Free knitwear is available to qualifying customers spending £60+, while stocks last and subject to per-store limits. [Full terms and conditions.]