Do and don't
Yes please
- A dress you've already worn and love
- Something you can sit and eat in
- Shoes you can walk a few blocks in
- A layer for a cold restaurant or late walk
- One bold thing: a colour, earrings or shoes
Skip
- A brand new outfit you've never sat down in
- Heels you never usually wear
- Anything you'll keep tugging or adjusting
- Pale colours if it's spaghetti night
- A short tight hem for a picnic on the grass
Styles that work
Read the room
- Restaurant. A midi or slip dress is the sweet spot for a nicer dinner, with a layer in case it's cold inside.
- Bar. Small stools and crowded rooms call for something that stays put and shoes you can stand in.
- Picnic. Go long and loose so you can sit on the ground any way you like.
- Coffee. Keep it casual, like a simple day dress and sneakers, so it doesn't look like you tried too hard.
- Hemisphere. A July date is winter in Australia and summer in the US, so check the season before the sleeves.
Comfort first, then cute
The best date outfit is one you forget you're wearing. The Everygirl's experts say to wear something you've already worn and know you're comfortable in, and warn against a brand new piece that might be uncomfortable. Time Out agrees: if you don't usually wear high heels, wear your trainers (sneakers). Want something new? Make it the earrings, not the dress. You're less likely to fidget.
Our test: can you sit, eat and laugh in it? If you'd need to suck in, tug down or hold a strap, pick something else.
First date vs dinner vs drinks
- First date: keep it close to your everyday style, just a notch up. A simple midi dress or wrap dress with flat shoes or a low heel works almost anywhere.
- Dinner: a nice restaurant suits a midi length dress, according to The Everygirl. A slip dress with a jacket also feels special without trying too hard.
- Drinks: Who What Wear notes small seats and noisy rooms, so you want something practical. A mini dress with a blazer or a slip dress you can stand around in.
- Outdoors or a picnic: a long, casual dress lets you sit on the ground comfortably.
Feel like yourself
Who What Wear puts it simply: feeling like yourself matters most, and the less you worry about your outfit, the more you can relax. Time Out says a splash of colour can make you look confident even if you're nervous. So wear the red one if you love it.
In Australia vs the US
The seasons flip. Winter in Australia is June to August, per the Bureau of Meteorology, while in the US it's December to February. In the cold months, add tights, boots and a coat to the same dress. In the warm months, go for light fabrics and skip the tights altogether.
Shop the dress code
See all date night dressesCommon questions
What should I wear on a first date?
Something you've worn before and already feel good in, just a notch dressier than usual. A simple midi or wrap dress with comfy shoes is hard to get wrong. Save new pieces for accessories.
What do you wear on a dinner date?
A midi or slip dress suits most restaurants. Pick one you can sit and eat in comfortably for a couple of hours. Bring a light layer in case the room is cold.
Is a dress too much for a first date?
Not if it matches the plan. A casual dress for coffee or a picnic is fine, and a slightly dressier one for dinner. If you'd feel overdressed, go simpler, not plainer.
What shoes should I wear on a date?
Ones you can walk in. If you don't usually wear heels, wear flats or sneakers instead. You might end up walking somewhere after.
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