Valentine’s Day is almost here and the date plans are made, but what will you wear? Adrian Barrows, from The Bespoke Tailor, offers some very useful advice to ensure you dress to impress.
Are you making preparations to celebrate as Valentine’s Day approaches? In addition to planning where to take your significant other, what you decide to wear is just as important. A style that’s dressed-up or dressed-down, or somewhere in between may well depend on the stage of your relationship as well as where you’re going.
Whichever you choose, to feel good you need to look good whilst also being comfortable. Too tight, too short, too big or too out-there won’t let you relax and focus on your date. You wear the clothes – not the other way around.
There are many options so you can dress to impress on this special occasion whether you’re going on a formal date, to the theatre, a dinner date or out for drinks.
Formal date
If you find yourself needing to follow a dress code, you can’t go wrong with the trusted navy suit (which should be in every man’s wardrobe) with a closed-front French cuff white dress shirt, a slim dark tie and pair of Oxford shoes. To invest in this option also means you’ll have the ‘go-to outfit’ for the majority of formal functions that arise in your diary.
Theatre date
To look your best for a trip to the theatre, a variation of the formal suit detailed above is an ideal choice. You can loosen up the look by not wearing a tie and loosening a couple of buttons. Choose a textured fabric such as tweed, cotton or hopsack in grey, khaki or brown. A simple striped shirt and brown or black loafers complete this simple but effective style.
Dinner date
Instead of the semi-casual look of jeans with a shirt, why not switch it up to the next level? A pair of slim trousers or chinos, an Oxford cloth shirt with a V-neck jumper or tailored jacket conveys you’ve taken the time and effort to look good for your date. If in doubt, stick to neutral colours because black, grey and blue are always suitable for evening events.
Drinks/Casual meal
To show you’re treating this occasion as more special than other nights out, wear something trendy and stylish such as a blazer or smart jacket. Because it doesn’t have to be formal, pick a knitted style or deconstructed cotton version with a neutral shirt and pair of casual chinos and desert boots.
With minimal planning you can aim to surpass expectations, not just meet them, with your outfit choice. Your date will be suitably impressed with the effort you’ve taken as well as your style.
I hope you have a romantic and sartorial evening!
