OK, through some miracle you?ve found someone with whom there is at least some chemistry. And you won?t be meeting at TGIF for buffalo wings. Now, the big question: What to wear? The pundits of pairing, Joan and Dan, are up to the task and talk about how to dress to impress.
DAN: Experience has taught me that when you?re going out on a date, less is more. I?ve learned to leave the Christmas-red jacket and double-breasted vest behind ? although I still think I look good in them.
JOAN: One of my many jobs is dressing clients ? single folks trying to achieve a date or business look or executives appearing on TV. So my advice to men is this: For a blind date where you?re planning to meet for coffee, go tastefully casual ? dress jeans (not the ones you wore hiking through the Rockies) and an ironed button-down shirt or a V-neck sweater with a clean white T-shirt. Pants should be long enough to cover your shoes. If you?re wearing brown loafers, wear a brown belt. No sweatsuits or white socks. To the ladies: dress jeans and a crisp white shirt with a fitted leather jacket. Keep it classic. Add a personal touch like a scarf or a brooch that reflects your personality.
DAN: I?m reminded of something comedian George Gobel once said on “The Tonight Show” many years ago: “Ever feel like the world is a black tuxedo and you?re a pair of brown shoes?” Seems no matter what you wear, someone is going to have a problem with it. The bottom line: Wear what?s comfortable and make sure it?s clean, pressed and contains no polyester. And if your mom picked itout for you, please leave it home.
JOAN: Ladies, don?t overdo the makeup because you?re nervous. Keep a light touch. And if you have long hair, wear it down. A camisole is pretty, but wear a jacket over it. Leave something to his imagination. As someone said to me: “Wear something you feel beautiful in.”
DAN: Is it me, or do camisoles sound like some form of orthopedic footwear? Anyway, I?m with you with letting the hair down. Guys like ladies with long hair. It?s feminine. Secondly, while I agree a woman shouldn?t show up in a bikini, she shouldn?t bundle up like Nanook of the North, particularly on a blind date. It?s like posting a 10-year-old photo on a dating Web site. If you?re 50 pounds overweight, we?re going to find out eventually, so why drag out the matter by wrapping yourself in 52 scarves? As for the guy, don?t run off and get a haircut and a manicure. Seems desperate. Remember, a first date is nothing but a reconnaissance mission. You exchange verbal resumes, stand up, twirl around and see if there?s a connection.
Dan Collins is a terminally single 40-something writer and local PR maven. Joan Allen is a noted matchmaker extraordinaire and author of “Celebrating Single and Getting Love Right: From Stalemate to Soulmate.”
