WHAT TO WEAR ON A SUMMER FIRST DATE

Al fresco dating season calls for easy, elevated looks

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to dressing for a first date. Thanks to the apps, romantic plans have become more spontaneous and unpredictable – which is bad news for planning a look. Going for ‘a drink’ could mean anything. Do you wear heels? Trainers? A dress or jeans? It’s a minefield. But with summer approaching, I’ve cracked the code to first-date dressing. Keep scrolling for five looks that’ll see you through any kind of meet-cute this season.

There’s an excellent chance your first date will involve a pub. They’re easy, casual and fuss-free, but they exist on a broad spectrum. Not all pubs are created equal. You could be heading to a high-brow venue with low-lit corners, or a local dive bar with low-lit everything. This lack of clarity calls for a versatile outfit. A failsafe formula is tailored wide-leg shorts and a boxy t-shirt. Balancing casual and formal gives you freedom when it comes to footwear – trainers, sandals or heeled flip-flops all work, depending on your preference. With such a simple foundation, you can accessorise to your heart’s content.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Weekday Essence standard t-shirt in white, £10
02: Stradivarius Heeled wedge thong sandals in blue, £35.99
03: Stradivarius Faux suede bag with asymmetric metal clasp in brown, £19.99
04: ASOS DESIGN tailored bermuda shorts with linen in black, £26

Dinner dates generally require a little more flair, and a dress is relatively low effort with a high rate of returns. Keep the look simple – a first date is all about making an impression, so paring things back when it comes to pattern leaves more room for your personality to shine. Long satin slips and cami dresses look great with leather or suede bags to balance the textures. Finish with kitten heels or ballet flats.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: ASOS DESIGN scoop satin maxi dress in chocolate, £28
02: ASOS DESIGN short necklace with clean molten pendant in gold tone, £9
03: Stradivarius Leather mule kitten heel shoes in brown, £39.99
04: Mango 100% leather oversized city bag in orange, £299.99

These are my favourite first dates. A cocktail bar feels more elevated than the pub without the pressure of a full-blown dinner. Mini dresses and colourful heels look great, but I’ve been reaching for sheer tops and relaxed trousers to strike a balance between dressy and casual. Sheer styles are also an easy way to integrate subtle colour into your 'fit.

GET THE LOOK: 
01: ASOS DESIGN Lari premium pointed ballets in purple suede, £32
02: Topshop high neck grown on shoulder sheer organza top in cornflour blue, £32
03: Pull&Bear Satin fabric straight-leg trousers in black, £25.99
04: ASOS DESIGN shoulder bag in cream, £18

With the sun out, summer dates can veer into walk-and-talk territory. If you’re hitting the local beauty spot with your potential paramour, you’ll need to look the part. No turning up for an hour-long stroll in stilettos! Try sleek trainers like Nike's Moon Shoe, which combine sporty shapes with softer, elevated fabric. I’d style mine with a poplin skirt and tank, along with a windbreaker for the ultimate sporty-chic look.

GET THE LOOK: 
01: Miss Selfridge scallop detail windbreaker in red, £52.99
02: ASOS DESIGN poplin tie waist circle maxi skirt in white, £35
03: Pull&Bear Basic tank top in black, £8.99
04: Nike Moon Shoe trainers in yellow and white, £89.99

You might be headed to an exhibition, a theatre performance or a gig. OK, these excursions are often reserved for date two or three, but the culture vultures among us cut right to the chase. During sunny season, indoor activities can get stuffy – so keep things light with a breezy linen mini dress or co-ord. Comfy shoes like loafers will keep you fresh on your feet and feeling put-together.

GET THE LOOK: 

01: Mango Argelia linen mix bermuda short co-ord in cream stripe, £49.99
02: ASOS DESIGN oversized aviator wrap sunglasses in crystal brown, £14
03: Topshop faux suede zip through bomber jacket in tan, £75
04: Stradivarius Black leather effect loafers in black, £35.99