Online Dating - Women's First Date Dress for Success Guide

So you've met someone interesting on an online dating site. You've emailed a few times and spoken on the phone. He seems great and he seems to like you. Time for the first exciting date. (Read more here about how soon you should go on that first date.) But what should a woman wear to dress for success on a first date?

1. Dress Appropriately -

This should be obvious, but sometimes we ladies may tend to get a little carried away, wanting to impress. But if you're dressed inappropriately, you're more likely to be very uncomfortable or you may put off or even confuse your internet dating suitor rather than make him want want to see you again.

So consider the time, the place and tone of your first date. If you're meeting for lunch, dress more casually. If you're going to be dining or sharing a coffee outside, make sure you are comfortable - Warm enough if the weather is cool, not dying of heat stroke in a too impressive multi-layered get up and pantyhose if the sun is shining and the weather is hot.

For a formal first date dinner, make sure you check to find out a little about the venue if you are not already familiar with it. If it's very expensive and formal, be ready in your nicer and more formal clothing. But don't overdo. Save the truly formal wear for weddings and dinners with heads of state.

Consider if you will be going walking or bike riding or to a movie. Make sure whatever you are wearing is comfortable and simple for such dates.

If you use common sense, you will do just fine. Just start your dressed for success date dressing appropriately.

(Also, to learn more about safety for a first date with someone you met on an online dating site, click here.)

2. Show off YOUR style.

This will be your first impression, so dress in such a way that tells your new potential internet dating beau who you are and what you're like. If you are a very casual person, don't start off in extremely formal attire. If you tend to be very formal or traditional, wear clothes that show your taste. Dress your style up or down to fit the occasion, but don't ever copy anyone else's style. Be confident in who you are, wear something that you feel like "you" in, and he will feel the confidence and be drawn to the woman you are, more so than to any illusion you might try to present.

3. Dress to be feminine and attractive, not to tempt or tease.

Many women feel they have to hook a man with sex. Believe me, you don't need to dress like a hooker, showing a lot of skin, for him to be attracted to you. On the contrary, if the only lure you offer is sex appeal or if you emphasize it so much in the way you dress and act on your first date, you may get him to buy everything you're misguidedly selling him on that first date - But you'll likely never see him again.

So calm down, trust your beauty as a woman and a person. Dress to be feminine. Smell nice. Be well groomed and nicely made up from head to toe. Show off your pretty hair in a comfortable and appropriate style for the occasion.

A nice skirt to around the knees is great. The "little black dress" is always a man pleaser where appropriate - but not too little! High heels with either a skirt or slacks or even jeans is very appealing, even sexy without being gawdy or cheap. But skip the plunging neckline or the mini skirt. If you're looking for a serious, long term relationship or even marriage, present your new love interest with a seriously attractive and respect-worthy woman that he would be proud to capture, not just a flitty woman, too insecure to allow a man to work for your affection.

4. Less is More.

It's true than many of us ladies love our accessories. And if that's really your style, then it's okay to wear a tasteful bit of it for the first date or two and build back up to the way you like to accessorize as you get to know each other. You see, most men tend to get a little rattled by a lot of rattling bobbles, so maybe stick to just one earring in each ear, one bracelet, if any, and a simple neckless to get started. This is not meant to stifle your style, just to keep your new online dating beau from becoming so distracted by all the reflected lights and clanking sounds that he can't see through to you.

In terms of makeup, you have to do what makes you feel pretty, but always try to stay on the less rather than more end of the spectrum. Men love a natural beauty - Okay, don't we all, but it's not a reality for most of us. But just don't pile it on so thick he spends your whole date trying to figure out what you really look like, or you spend the whole date trying to keep your mascara on your eye lashes and your lipstick off your teeth.

5. Simple rules of thumb.

When it comes right down to it, there are a few tips for dressing for success on your first date when dating online. Most men love women in jeans. So for a date, where jeans are appropriate, pick a nice, clean, comfortable and attractive pair. You can wear them with heels for a nicer but still casual date and that's all the sexy you need. Men tend to prefer simple, solid colors over flashy, busy florals and patterns, and especially like a crisp white or black tea shirt or blouse with just a minimal amount of jewelry. It just depends on the occasion. A nice dress jacket over the above can be enough to make the ensemble a little more formal. Nothing to severe with you hair. If he can see it, he may find himself wondering what it would feel like to touch it one day, too.

A word to the wise: If you know you will be dating a gentleman who is rather short, or at least shorter than you are, you may want to skip the heels. While they can be very feminine and many men tend to like them, the first priority will be for the two of you to feel comfortable with each other. So unless you know he doesn't mind a woman on his arm who is much taller, a la Tom Cruise, then start in a lower heel and help him to feel confident in your presence.

To learn how to attract the man of your dreams, click here.

For a list of safety tips for your first date with an online beau, click here.