Swamp of love: Dressing for success

It’s Friday night, and you’re getting ready for your date. You sit on your bed with five different shirts around you, two pairs of pants on the floor and more shoes than you can count are all over the room.

“I have no idea what to wear,” you say to yourself, and then you hear your roommate yell back, “He’s taking you to Chili’s! Calm down!”

Getting dressed for date can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The key thing to remember is the three Ws: Where are you going? What time are you going there? What impression do you want to make?

If you’re going to Simon’s for the night, you definitely shouldn’t be wearing jeans. Look through your closet to find a flirty little number that is somewhat dressy. Think straight dresses from Forever 21 or a high-waisted skirt and a crop top from Giti. Heels are preferred.

Guys, if we’re dressing up, you should too! Don’t go to the club in jeans and a pair of Chucks. Throw on some black slacks and a nicer shirt. It will go a long way, trust me. 

But not all dates are fancy nor at night. Let’s move toward a more romantic, daytime date, like a day at Lake Wauburg. This is where the “what kind of impression do you want to make” comes in.

If this were me, I would wear a cute sundress or romper over my swimsuit. You’re adorable for the meal but still ready to show your adventurous side in the water.

Guys, this is a little trickier because your swim trunks can usually double for shorts. If so, a nice plain T-shirt will pair nicely. You don’t look too casual when you eat, but you’ll be ready to have fun when the dining is over.

Always evaluate when, where and what when planning your outfit. You can’t go wrong.