There are so many easy mistakes that can be made when getting dressed for a date. There is nothing worse than coming home after a date and feeling insecure about something you wore, or fidgeting all evening and wondering if your date noticed how uncomfortable you were. Or just catching a glimpse of yourself in a mirror while on the date and thinking, “Why on earth did I wear this?” Trust me, I’ve been there. And that insecurity can lead to a whole slew of other issues.

There is nothing better than learning from your mistakes, however, so that the next time around you will be more relaxed and secure when it comes to a romantic meet-up. Here are the top 10 date-night style mistakes to avoid:

 

1)     Over Accessorizing

While I personally think “more is more” when it comes to accessories and style, it is a much different story for dates. Accessories can give an added pop of personality into your date-night look, but over accessorizing can be too distracting to your overall image. Remember to keep it simple while still having a splash of fun.

 

2)     Wearing Uncomfortable Shoes

Breaking out a brand new pair of shoes is not a good idea when on a date. There is nothing more frustrating than feeling the start of a blister during the evening, and not having any solutions for it. Shoes for dates should be softly worn in for both men and women. Also, women should note that their tallest, highest heels are a big mistake as well!

 

3)     Socks with Sandals

Continuing the topic of shoes: socks with sandals. No. Just, no.

 

4)     Ignoring the Weather

There is nothing worse than being overly layered when it’s too hot, or under-layered when it is too cold. While cold weather can bring you closer to your date (hello – reason to get close!), it is hard to focus on your date if you are so cold that you actually may start to complain. That being said, complaining about anything can be a big turnoff. So avoid this and just check the weather.

 

5)     Overstuffing Your Wallet and/or Bag

While a stuffed wallet could jokingly be a positive sign, it is a styling “don’t” on a date. For men, when you have an overstuffed wallet and then carry it in your front or back pocket, it gives off the appearance of being disheveled, especially if your wallet is a receipt-filled mess. So for both men and women, clean out the receipts, keep your money clips tidy and your handbags simple and slim.

 

6)     Smart Phones Attached at the Hip

It’s no doubt we can’t live without checking in on social media at least once a day. However, literally wearing your phone attached to your hip is a HUGE no-no. Sorry guys, but this is a common style mistake men make. From a business perspective, yes that may be functional, but for a date, your attention should be on your date and your phone should be put away. Same for the ladies! A glamorous cell case can be a distraction. Keep your phone on silent and keep it out of sight.

 

7)     Asking Too Many Friends for Advice

Asking all your friends, “What should I wear?” is a common mistake. When there are too many opinions, it’s actually harder to make a decision for yourself. Plus, when you’ve finally decided what to wear, you will likely still doubt your look as their opinions are still running through your head. Recruit one or two friends “max” for their opinion and then trust your own instinct in the end.

 

8)     Message Tees

From a styling perspective, I love a good graphic tee. On a date, however, they can actually speak for you before you even have a chance to open your mouth. So, wearing these “hip” t-shirts can be a big date mistake. You want your date to read you, not your chest.

 

9)     Wearing All Black

Tried and true black-on-black can be very slimming for both men and women. Unfortunately, wearing all black is also boring – or worse – can also be very intimidating to your date. So, if you are desperate to wear black, wear it in the area you feel you want to keep looking the slimmest, and then add brighter hues elsewhere.

 

10)     Wearing Something That Isn’t You

If you’ve been following my articles since last year, then you know that no matter what you choose to wear, confidence is always your best accessory. Wearing something that doesn’t work for you, is a definite confidence killer. It can mean the difference between a magical date… and an uncomfortable one. No matter what you wear, make sure you are wearing something that reflects your best, most brightest, confident and happy you. It’s when we glow beyond our wardrobe that the magic truly happens.

 

Have any style questions or quandaries? Email me at laurie@lauriebstyle.com and I will weave it into an upcoming story! Happy dating everyone!