From Trashy to Classy on Date Night

Last week's blog was all about sustaining a meaningful relationship whether near or far. This one is for the couples who are near.

There is an ancient dating dress-code that parents always tell their daughters:

* cover everything curvy

* but wear something nice

* but don't look too nice (you don't wanna look like a hussy, do you?!)

Alas, social dress-codes are ever-changing, as they are wont to do. Butwithin the dating world, it is of utmost importance to have some concept of the code.

Presentability is the key word.

Clearly, when you are either first getting to know someone or are in a preliminary relationship that involves a lot of public excursions you want to look attractive to your date. Women have the finest line to tread as far as this is concerned; they have to decide:
Where does attractive end and trashy begin?
The picture at the right shows a pretty-faced young woman in a cute pink outfit with maybe just...way too much leg showing, not to mention, super high look-at-me shoes on.

Now, I am a proud supporter of the "If You Got It, Flaunt It" movement, but, LADIES, there is a time and a place for every fly outfit. And your fifth date out with Mr. Wonderful may not be the place to show quite so much skin.

As Mama would say, You Don't Wanna Give the Boy the Wrong Idea...!

Certainly if you are pursuing a long-lasting relationship with someone, you want him/her to view you in the best possible light right up until he/she is emotionally invested in you enough that your strange habits won't freak them out. That being said, show outfit discretion until that given time.

Disney Channel girls always seem to find a way to look sexy without revealing anything (well, at least until they hit 16 and turn into Britney Spears, anyway....but I digress.) Take young Hilary Duff as your date night example. She has her hair off her face so you can see how nice her features are and she managed to show her shape with a long slinky shirt underneath a much more modest, but fashionable blazer.

My point is that you can look sexy and attractive without bringing out the "girls." But if you really insist on showing some boobage, balance out the look by covering up your arms and legs. You'll look sexy yet not too overtly sexual.

And for the guys who haven't quite found the fashion middle-ground between baseball game attire and wedding attire, keep it simple. For you guys hair is of the greatest importance. ALL of your hair counts when looking presentable: on your head, on your arms, and on your face. Make sure its groomed nicely and the clothes on your back will automatically look better. That being said, you won't have to dress up very much days to impress the ladies.

These days, casual chic for men is very popular. So don't feel funny about mixing a t-shirt with a blazer or a suit with sneakers. But please do ensure the said t-shirt or sneakers have no holes/stains!

Take a fashion note from the model at the right. Mixing dress clothes with sneakers or more casual clothes with shoes creates a delightful fashion contrast for men. Try it out Friday night and see what she says; you may be pleasantly surprised what a good trip to the barber and some style mix-and-matching can do.

Work what your mama gave ya', just remember, if you want your audience to stick around for awhile, you need to make yourself look PRESENTABLE to general audiences.

Until next time...Live and Love!