Even if it’s just Dinner and a Movie… Always Dress to Impress!
A 2023 survey of 2,000 Americans over 21 found that dinner and a movie was the top first date choice for 56%. A good outfit choice for this popular first-date activity for men is a well-fitted shirt in a solid color with slim-fit chinos or dark jeans. For women, a nice knit sweater or a stylish wrap top with high-waisted trousers, a pencil skirt, a midi skirt, or well-fitting jeans works well.
Best of all the Regal at LA Live shows all the block buster favorites and some independent film festivals that make for perfect dates. Movie buffs may enjoy a variety of adjacent eateries within LA Lives massive complex, adjacent to Crypto Arena.
First Impressions Begin with Your Outfit
Risking appearing inconsiderate if your clothes aren’t suitable or appropriate for the location, by dressing in a way that reflects your personal style while considering the venue, you’re more likely to feel relaxed and at ease, which will positively influence how you come across.
Studies reveal that 55% of first impressions are based on what people see, making your choice of attire for a first date a significant contributor to the impression you leave.
Dress for Your Personality to Promote Authenticity
Choosing an outfit that feels true to your personality while considering the setting allows you to be yourself. When you’re authentic, it helps establish a positive atmosphere and a genuine connection with your date, which is often key to the success of the first date.
A recent study on the benefits of authenticity at work found that just 24% of participants knew who they “really were.” Positive feelings and situational aspects determine the extent to which we experience authenticity in daily life.
Personal style isn’t the only factor in creating an authentic and appealing first impression. That journey begins even earlier—with opening lines. According to Sugardaddy.com, Tinder opening lines can reflect what someone is like—funny, charming, sincere, etc.—just like the location they choose for a first date.
If you’re a laid-back, drinker who enjoys a great night of bar hopping, followed by a great comedy show with a happy ending, aligning the activity with your personality and style creates a seamless experience where authenticity thrives.
Dress for the Location
Who wants to see you in the middle of black ties and shimmering gowns dressed in shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops at the Walt Concert Hall during the season opening of the LA Opera? Not you. Or your date.
Recent surveys show that only 26% of people feel very confident, and 85% struggle with low self-esteem. The deficit in self-assurance has pandemic proportions.
You can show you’re in the superior minority by wearing an outfit that aligns with the location, making you more likely to feel confident and comfortable.
Confidence is contagious. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, you project a sense of self-assurance that helps put both you and your date at ease. This small but significant step can make a big difference in overcoming first-date jitters and fostering a positive connection.
Showing Thoughtfulness
Matching your style to the setting shows that you’ve given thought to the occasion. It indicates you’re attentive and care about making the date a pleasant experience. For example, wearing semi-formal attire to a nice restaurant like 71Above and allowing the servers to present a surprise token shows you’re taking the occasion seriously.
Consideration is closely linked to thoughtfulness and kindness, which make most people feel better, and that is true for both the giver and the receiver.
The APA’s most recent Healthy Minds Poll, conducted among 2,210 adults in October 2023, showed that the vast majority (89%) felt better after showing someone else an act of kindness. Receiving such an act made 90% of respondents feel better.
The Happy Ending
Matching personal style to the location for different types of get togethers, while anticipating the needs of your date helps eliminate potential stress and allows you to enjoy the moment fully. These small but impactful decisions set the tone for a positive first date, helping you connect with your date in a meaningful way – like a boss!
