Welcome back to the Gentleman's Gazette. In today's video,
we're going to go over the 10 things that you never want to wear on a date.
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Now, dating is stressful for everyone. On top of making plans of where you're going to go,
to eat, or what you're going to do, you have to pick out what you're going to wear. Now,
we've already created the video on how to plan for a date, which includes planning a week out
because, well, you know, we're quite thorough. But today, we're focusing on what not to do,
or rather, what NOT to wear. So, if you avoid the pitfalls on this list, you'll have less to worry
about when it comes to picking out your outfit, and you can focus more on having a great time.
Please note that this list was made with classic style in mind. So, if that fits you, you might
find some of these to your advantage. And that being said, even if you're not into classic style,
we really think that everyone can benefit from this list. Number one on our list is dirty,
damaged, or smelly clothes. Now, it should go without being said that your clothes should be
freshly laundered. After all, if you have to do the smell test before you put something on,
it's probably best to put it in your hamper instead. And also, you have no excuse to have
bad-smelling laundry because we have an entire playlist on how to take care of your garments,
and remember, everyday wear can affect the way your garments smell. So, if you can,
it's best to change out of your work clothes. After all, a fresh set of clothes might help
you be in a fresh state of mind as you go out on your date. And in addition to your clothes
smelling great, they should also look great. After all, if your lucky shirt looks ragged,
it won't help you get lucky. Now, understanding what's acceptable wear and tear will help you get
a better understanding about what's appropriate and what's not appropriate to wear on a date in
this area. Make sure to pay attention to items you might not normally think of, like a tattered belt,
stained sneakers, or scuffed dress shoes. The second on our list is ill-fitting clothing.
While your clothes might smell nice and look nice, it's important that they fit well. Now,
we've said it before, and I'll say it again, fit is everything. No matter what you're wearing,
make sure it fits well. After all, having good fit unlocks your clothing's true potential. Make
sure your clothes are properly sized, they're well tailored, and don't wear things that are too small
and uncomfortable. Trust us, your date will not be impressed with you trying to squeeze into that
extra slim-fit shirt. And after all, squeezing into a shirt that's too small will make you look
like a stuffed sausage. In general, overly tight shirts and jeans are meant to artificially show
off your muscles, and this is not a style that we recommend. Comfortable, well-fitting clothing
will make you feel better on the date and help you to better enjoy your date's company. Number
three is wearing way too much cologne. Now, many men are very concerned about the way they smell
when they go on a date, but you shouldn't go take a bath in Creed before you go out. And in reality,
wearing too much cologne will have your date wondering what smells you're actually masking,
rather than showing off your love of Creed Aventus. Also, you might not know that your date
has a sensitivity to odors, and this could give them a headache the entire time. The solution to
bad smells is good hygiene, so make sure to bathe and brush your teeth before you go out. And if you
want to add in your favorite cologne, that's fine. Just apply a reasonable amount. Usually,
this is two to three spritzes on the wrist or on your neck. And if you've never tried cologne,
and you want to, we have a whole guide on that. Number four are clothes that
are either too casual or too formal. Now, we live in an ever increasingly casual world,
but if there's one time to put your best foot forward, it's on a date. Wearing clothes that are
too casual might imply that you're not taking the date seriously, and you're taking your date's time
for granted. Also, if you dress too casually, you might make your date feel overdressed,
and that might not make them feel very confident. Obviously, what constitutes as too casual really
depends on your style, your date's style, and what you're going to be doing. After all,
I don't expect you to wear White Tie to the ice cream parlor. However, there are some items we
think are just too casual for most dates, and this is especially true if you're someone who feels
like they adhere to classic style. Flip-flops or slide sandals, cargo shorts or really any
garment with cargo pockets, undershirts worn as regular shirts, and T-shirts with ironic slogans
or phrases are really not going to contribute to a romantic atmosphere. Also, your date probably
won't find your "I'm with Stupid" T-shirt very funny. But on the other side of the spectrum,
you don't want to overdress. Overdressing might make your date feel self-conscious as well,
and it might make them think that you are trying to show off. Keep in mind that if
you suggest the venue to let your date know about the dress code, and if your date picks the venue,
make sure to ask them what the expected attire is. Now, it might end up that both of you are
the only ones actually following the dress code, but hey, you'll both look fantastic. Number five:
athletic wear or athleisure. Building off our previous topic of clothing that's too casual, most of
the time, athletic wear and athleisure is just too casual for any sort of date. Also, unless you're
planning on taking your date to a sporting event, it's best to leave your team's jerseys at home.
There's also a reason why most nice restaurants now explicitly forbid sweatpants, tank tops,
other gym clothes, and baseball caps. And Preston will tell you to always take your hat off indoors.
[Video Clip] Preston: Take your hat off!
Obviously, there are exceptions to this rule, if you're going to go on a hike, or on a bike ride,
athleisure and athletic wear is perfectly fine. I mean, after all, the only person I know who
rides a Peloton wearing a suit is Raphael. Number six: wearing the wrong shoes. So, you've picked
out your jacket, your shirt, your pants, all the accessories, don't ruin your outfit by picking the
wrong pair of shoes. Your shoes might not be at eye level but they have massive importance in your
outfit. And on a big date, every detail counts. When crafting an ensemble, your shoes should never
be an afterthought. Fortunately, you're in luck we have many guides on how to combine shoes with
the rest of your outfit. But in summary, please pay particular attention to appropriateness,
harmony, and formality. To keep it short, don't try to sneak into a Black Tie restaurant wearing
spectators. And if you're wearing mostly lighter elements and colors, don't wear chunky black
shoes. Lastly if you're wearing a suit, don't clash its formality by pairing it with sneakers. I
mean, unless you're planning on running a marathon after dessert. Just always remember that the right
shoes with the right outfit will make for a great date. Number seven: overly branded clothing. Now,
here at the Gentleman's Gazette, we are not big fans of overly branded clothing, and dates are no
exception. Excessive, in-your-face branding can be really off-putting, and your date will think
that you're only there to dazzle them with your drip. This can make your date feel self-conscious,
or inadequate, or just think that you're a brand snob, or that you're compensating for
something. After all, using brands to signify wealth and status usually backfires. And even
if over-the-top branding doesn't give your date the wrong idea, it can just be distracting. After all,
your Louis fit will take attention away from you if you're looking like this sitting across
the table. Number eight is excessive jewelry. Jewelry can be a great way to add some small
details to any outfit, but it's possible to have too much of a good thing. Like excessive branding,
having too much jewelry might make it seem like you're trying to show off. No one likes to be
subjected to someone trumpeting their success, and wearing too much jewelry can definitely give off
that feeling. Just to be clear, if you typically wear a lot of jewelry, that's perfectly fine, but
you should never rely on jewelry to artificially boost your confidence. Most of the time, it'll
give your date the wrong impression if you pile on jewelry just to look flashy. We have a guide
on how to properly wear men's jewelry here. But suffice it to say unless that iced-out Rolex or
Miami gold Cuban chain is typically part of your attire, it's not time to break it out on a date.
Number nine: unusually bold items. So, let's take our advice when it comes to jewelry and expand it
to other parts of your outfit. Keep in mind that a date is not the place to test out a new style.
If a three-piece suit is not what you typically wear, a date is not the place to try it out,
unless the event calls for it. Dates should be a place of a genuine exchange where both parties
are comfortable. And if you don't typically wear a suit, you're not going to be comfortable. So,
please dress up but in a way that's comfortable for you, but of course, follow the established
dress codes. This suggestion also applies to articles in clothing that are supposed to set the
mood. So, to keep it short, if a leather jacket or leather pants aren't typically part of your style,
don't wear them here. And leather pants could make you feel quite uncomfortable.
If you're not accustomed to wearing one, a burgundy velvet smoking jacket will not
make you more sexy, and having your date picture Hugh Hefner is not a great idea
either. And if red just isn't your color, a red jewel-tone shirt is not a good idea. Basically,
at the end of the day, if you're not comfortable in a garment, it's going to show on the date,
and that will adversely affect the mood. So, stick to items that you're accustomed to, and if you
want to get something new, pick something that you already know and like, like a new pair of socks or
a new pocket square. And always remember that a new pair of Fort Belvedere socks will be better
and more versatile than any pair of leather pants. Lastly, number 10: fussy clothing. So, after all,
this time spent about picking the right outfit for your date, just remember that you're taking your
date out - not your suit! So, whatever you choose to wear, make sure that it's not fussy, and by
this, we mean, make sure that that garment doesn't require a lot of extra attention. For example,
every moment you spend running into the bathroom to make sure that your ivory dinner jacket doesn't
have a stain on it is the moment you could be spending enjoying your dinner. And if you're
constantly having to fiddle with your tie to make sure that the length is right that's time wasted
you could have spent dancing. If your outfit's too fragile or too finicky that it requires constant
attention, don't wear it. You shouldn't be going over your clothes with a magnifying glass;
you should be paying attention to your date. No matter what you're wearing or how good it looks,
if you spend all the time focusing on the outfit, the date was a failure. So,
focus on having fun on your date and less on the sleeve pitch of your sports jacket. We hope that
you've seen a consistent theme throughout our list. When dressing for a date, opt for
clothes that fit your style, fit the occasion, and show that you put forth a special effort.
And stay away from clothes that take away from the evening and give false Impressions. Ultimately,
the clothing that we choose shows how we respect others, and respect is everything when it comes
to a date. While I can't make dating any easier for you, we hope that this video is a guide on
how to make dressing for the date much easier. In today's outfit, I'm wearing something that would
be great for a casual and laid-back date with my wife. All the items that I've chosen are simple;
I don't have to worry about them if they get stained or dirty, and can get beat up a little
bit. I'm wearing an army green jungle jacket. This is great for maybe a movie date. You can
put in your tickets and even smuggle in candy. For my shirt, I'm wearing a made-to-measure shirt from
Becket and Robb. This is a denim shirt. Denim is a really great bridge for its casual nature,
but with a more structured collar, it dresses it up. For my pants, I'm wearing a simple pair of tan
chinos from L.L Bean. I don't care if these get dirty, and they wash easily. To keep the outfit
a little bit more dressed down with the casual jacket, I'm wearing a pair of white sneakers.
These are from Oliver Cabell. My socks are our brown and cream striped socks from Fort Belvedere.
If you're interested in these socks or any other socks, check out the Fort Belvedere shop here.
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