# More dating tips for the sartorially clueless **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 23, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896 "2006-08-23T16:16:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/61 "2006-08-23T22:28:40Z")
By definition, any woman that I would be interested in dating would be the type who would find the fashionability (or lack thereof) of my ensemble completely irrelevant. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/62 "2006-08-24T00:50:16Z")
[QUOTE=Hoops] How about [Guayabera shirts](http://www.theguayaberashirtcompany.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=34&osCsid=6836c8e0e47b15aae34f5b5c53a05a08) (assuming not the kind embroidered with martinis or dice)? [/QUOTE] Those are just dandy. Not work-like, not formal, not a tee shirt, just a nice casual comfortable looking shirt. Personally, I wouldn’t care if you wore them with cords, jeans or khakis, but apparently some would. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/63 "2006-08-24T01:32:46Z")
[QUOTE=astro] That article is retarded in suggesting jeans on a first date with an unknown woman, but they are correct about khakis. You shouldn’t wear khakis unless you can carry the look, and unfortunately these days khakis are (to be honest) a somewhat tired look that screams “low level service worker”. If you’re gay or a rock star jeans are OK, but jeans on a first time hetero date is (IMO) a bit too risky if you’re seeking to make a good impression and don’t know what the ladies fashion preferences are. [/QUOTE] It’s all about appropriateness. Personally, I couldn’t care less if the guy is wearing jeans, khakis, or whatever, as long as a) they are clean and appropriately unwrinkled, b) they fit properly; c) they only have holes where they were designed to have holes; and d) whatever he is wearing is appropriate for the chosen activity. I’ve had guys show up on first dates with pants that looked like they were going to fall off at the knees, because the holes went almost all the way around the circumference of the leg. I’ve had guys show up for a first date (Saturday night dinner at a nice restaurant) in shorts grubby from hiking in the woods all day, and gym shoes with holes. And of course, I’ve had guys who showed up for first dates [looking (and smelling) like they hadn’t bathed in at least a week.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=197048&highlight=bathing) Really, guys, I’m not _that_ picky about appearances, but you should at least look like you care whether I find you repulsive. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/64 "2006-08-24T02:04:00Z")
[QUOTE=Eva Luna] It’s all about appropriateness. Personally, I couldn’t care less if the guy is wearing jeans, khakis, or whatever, as long as a) they are clean and appropriately unwrinkled, b) they fit properly; c) they only have holes where they were designed to have holes; and d) whatever he is wearing is appropriate for the chosen activity. I’ve had guys show up on first dates with pants that looked like they were going to fall off at the knees, because the holes went almost all the way around the circumference of the leg. I’ve had guys show up for a first date (Saturday night dinner at a nice restaurant) in shorts grubby from hiking in the woods all day, and gym shoes with holes. And of course, I’ve had guys who showed up for first dates [looking (and smelling) like they hadn’t bathed in at least a week.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=197048&highlight=bathing) Really, guys, I’m not _that_ picky about appearances, but you should at least look like you care whether I find you repulsive. [/QUOTE] Dirty, sloppy, clueless…where the hell are you finding these guys? Seriously! Virtually all the guys I know would be try to be immaculate before a first date. Try [match.com](http://match.com). ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/65 "2006-08-24T03:55:25Z")
[QUOTE=badbadrubberpiggy] I mean, it’s not like he showed up in a sweater with bunnies on it, or anything. 😃 [/QUOTE] Hey! What if it’s my first date with **alice\_in\_wonderland**? _Some_ women find bunnies very attractive. Bunny hater. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/66 "2006-08-24T10:56:33Z")
[QUOTE=The Weird One] I like guys who dress in a way that reflects their personal tastes, not the latest “how to date” blather on MSN. [/QUOTE] Hear, hear! The same shit is translated into Spanish and put up in msn.es, printed in Spanish mags, etc. My brother started a game a while back of trying to figure out whether an article was “locally written” or “imported” from the kind of stupidity it says. In Spain, khakis are almost formalwear. _looks around her office_ Over 50 guys. No suits. Half a dozen guys in trousers-other-than-jeans (white, khaki, drak brown). More women than men. One wears a skirt; the rest, jeans. And this office is formal by Spanish standards! Nobody in shorts even though it’s the summer, see… formal. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/67 "2006-08-24T10:59:52Z")
Wait a second. Is the guy driving a hummer? What’s wrong with khakis? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/68 "2006-08-24T12:51:55Z")
[QUOTE=Shirley Ujest] Wait a second. Is the guy driving a hummer? [/QUOTE] Hee! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/69 "2006-08-24T13:05:14Z")
I hate lists like this. If a man follows this advice, he’s not being himself. What if the second date, he shows up looking and/or smelling like he should be one of poor Eva Luna’s rejects? Pathetic, I tell you. (Really, the world’s first Agnostic Jewish Nun is supposed to be celibate, anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![Carl\_Corey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Carl\_Corey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carl_Corey)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/70 "2006-08-24T13:22:44Z")
Looking at this article, it looks like somebody was desperate to make their deadline. Not enough rolleyes for this crap. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/71 "2006-08-24T13:35:09Z")
Okay, how’s this? I have a first date, but after work, an hour or so after a meeting downtown. I won’t have the time to go home and change. I’m wearing a dark purple/lavender button-down shirt, no ties, somewhat pricey khakis (made in the US, not Dockers imported from China), and oxfords. No jewelery or cologne. We’re meeting at a brewpub. Is my clothing inappropriate? ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/72 "2006-08-24T13:40:16Z")
So no striped or khaki condoms, got it. ---
**Author:** ![Pixisis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Pixisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixisis)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/73 "2006-08-24T14:08:39Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Okay, how’s this? I have a first date, but after work, an hour or so after a meeting downtown. I won’t have the time to go home and change. I’m wearing a dark purple/lavender button-down shirt, no ties, somewhat pricey khakis (made in the US, not Dockers imported from China), and oxfords. No jewelery or cologne. We’re meeting at a brewpub. Is my clothing inappropriate? [/QUOTE] FWIW, I don’t think so. Especially since you’re going there straight from work. (Even if you weren’t, I wouldn’t have a problem with what you’re wearing. It’s not like it’s a formal affair.) ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/74 "2006-08-24T14:25:56Z")
[QUOTE=Eva Luna] It’s all about appropriateness. Personally, I couldn’t care less if the guy is wearing jeans, khakis, or whatever, as long as a) they are clean and appropriately unwrinkled, b) they fit properly; c) they only have holes where they were designed to have holes; and d) whatever he is wearing is appropriate for the chosen activity. I’ve had guys show up on first dates with pants that looked like they were going to fall off at the knees, because the holes went almost all the way around the circumference of the leg. I’ve had guys show up for a first date (Saturday night dinner at a nice restaurant) in shorts grubby from hiking in the woods all day, and gym shoes with holes. And of course, I’ve had guys who showed up for first dates [looking (and smelling) like they hadn’t bathed in at least a week.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=197048&highlight=bathing) Really, guys, I’m not _that_ picky about appearances, but you should at least look like you care whether I find you repulsive. [/QUOTE] Ditto on appropriate. I once met a guy (way back in the early 90s) at a country dance club (I know…I know) in Fort Lauderdale. Tall good looking guy, with more than a passing resemblance to Trace Adkins today. He was wearing leather pants & a cowboy duster (again - I know…I know - my tastes _have_ changed) and looked absolutely perfectly appropriate for the venue. We hit it off & exchanged numbers. A few days later, he called & invited me to a pool party & I accepted. He picks me up for the pool party wearing the EXACT SAME LEATHER PANTS & CANVAS DUSTER!!! :eek: August. Fort Lauderdale. Need I say more? I’m still not over it - lol VCNJ~ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/75 "2006-08-24T15:20:29Z")
For an after-work date, absolutely wear what you wore to work. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/76 "2006-08-24T16:05:37Z")
[QUOTE=twickster] For an after-work date, absolutely wear what you wore to work. [/QUOTE] But don’t forget to add the ass-less chaps. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/77 "2006-08-24T16:30:29Z")
[QUOTE=Surly Chick] But don’t forget to add the ass-less chaps. 😃 [/QUOTE] I’m sorry. Chaps (ass-less or not) and Dockers do _not_ go together. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/78 "2006-08-24T16:31:42Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] I’m sorry. Chaps (ass-less or not) and Dockers do _not_ go together. [/QUOTE] And you wonder why you can’t get laid. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/79 "2006-08-24T16:52:54Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] I’m sorry. Chaps (ass-less or not) and Dockers do _not_ go together. [/QUOTE] How about skipping the chaps altogether and going with a pair of ass-less Dockers? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2006, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896/80 "2006-08-24T18:17:54Z")
F\*\*\* it, I’m wearing a skirt on my next date. Personally, I always go with the dark jeans/button-down shirt in an interesting color/casual-yet-dressy-jacket look. Shoes optional. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-dating-tips-for-the-sartorially-clueless/369896.md?page=5)