How Should I Dress? Men's Guide to Attractive Going-Out Attire

Sexy going-out style means clean, fitted, and right for the place. You do not need loud brands or a closet full of clothes. You need a few pieces that make your body look sharp and help you stand straight.

Fit matters more than the price of your clothes.

A shirt should sit close to your chest and arms without pulling across your stomach. The shoulder seam should sit on the edge of your shoulder. If the seam hangs down your arm, the shirt is too large.

Your sleeves should end near the middle of your upper arm. Your shirt should reach your belt, not cover your thighs. When you lift both arms, the shirt can rise a little. It should not show your whole stomach.

Your pants should follow your legs without squeezing them. Skinny jeans often make a man look like he borrowed his sister's pants. Baggy pants hide your shape. Look for a straight or slim cut.

The bottom of your pants should touch the top of your shoes with a small fold in the cloth. A large pile of cloth around your ankles makes even good pants look sloppy.

Take a full-body photo in a mirror. Stand six feet away. Check your shoulder line, shirt length, pant length, and shoe choice. A photo shows problems you may miss while looking down at your own clothes.

You want her to see your shoulders, chest, arms, and waist without seeing every inch of your body.

A simple outfit can do this:

• A dark blue shirt with sleeves that fit your arms
• Black or dark gray jeans
• Clean leather shoes or simple boots
• A belt that matches your shoes

Dark colors make an outfit look neat. They also work well in bars, lounges, restaurants, and parties. You can add one lighter piece, such as a white shirt under a dark jacket.

A jacket can improve your shape at once. A short jacket with a clear shoulder line makes your upper body look wider. A jacket that ends near your hips keeps your legs from looking short.

Try a dark green overshirt over a white T-shirt. Add dark jeans and brown boots. The colors stay simple, but the jacket gives your upper body more shape.

Do not wear every fitted item at the same time. A tight shirt with tight jeans can look forced. If your shirt fits close, wear pants with a little more room. If your pants are slim, wear a shirt with a relaxed fit.

Your clothes should look like they belong on your body. If you keep pulling down your shirt or fixing your pants, the fit is wrong.

The best outfit can look bad in the wrong room.

A clean T-shirt, dark jeans, and low-profile sneakers can work at a casual bar. A collared shirt, dark pants, and leather shoes fit a nicer restaurant. A jacket helps in both places when the room calls for more care.

Before you leave, picture the room. Will people sit at small tables? Will you stand near a bar? Will the floor have wood, bright lights, or loud music? Your clothes should match what people wear in that room without copying every man there.

For a casual night, wear:

• A solid T-shirt or knit polo
• Dark jeans or clean trousers
• Simple sneakers or boots
• A watch with a plain face

For a nicer night, wear:

• A button-up shirt with the sleeves ending at your wrist
• Dark trousers
• Brown or black leather shoes
• A fitted jacket if the room feels formal

Leave the gym clothes at home. Sweatpants, running shoes, and a wrinkled hoodie tell her you did not care where you ended up. A sports jersey can work at a game. It usually looks out of place at a cocktail bar.

You also do not need a full suit for most dates. A suit without a clear reason can make you look like you came from work. Wear a jacket and trousers that fit the place.

Most of your outfit should stay quiet. One detail can show taste.

Start with navy, black, white, gray, olive, tan, and brown. These colors work together without much effort. Add color through one shirt, one jacket, or one small item.

For example, wear a burgundy shirt with dark gray pants. Keep the shoes and belt black. The shirt gets noticed without taking over your whole body.

Avoid large logos and bright writing across your chest. A woman can see the logo from across the room, but it tells her little about you. A small mark on a shirt is fine. A giant brand name is not helping.

Your shoes need care. Wipe dirt from white sneakers. Brush dust from boots. Replace shoes with cracked leather or worn soles. Women often look at shoes when they first scan a man from head to toe.

Wear one watch, not a pile of bracelets. Use one simple chain if it fits your clothes. Keep rings to one or two unless you already know how to wear more.

Your scent matters too. Shower before you go out. Use deodorant. Put on a small amount of cologne on your neck and chest. She should notice it when she stands close, not when you enter the room.

Good clothes lose their effect when the small details look careless.

Check your shirt for stains near the collar and cuffs. Check your pants for lint. Empty your pockets so they do not bulge. Cut loose threads from your jacket or shirt.

Wear socks that cover your ankles when you sit down. A strip of bare skin between your pants and shoes can make the outfit look unfinished. Match your belt to your shoes when you wear leather.

Trim your nails. Shape your beard or shave your neck. Fix your hair before you leave the house. Brush your teeth and carry gum if you eat before meeting her.

Stand in front of a mirror with your jacket on. Put your phone, wallet, and keys in your pockets. Sit down, walk, and raise your arms. If your pants pull hard or your shirt opens at the chest, change something before you leave.

One of our students used to wear a wrinkled polo, loose jeans, and running shoes to every bar. He changed to a fitted dark shirt, straight jeans, and clean boots. His clothes did not make him a different man. They stopped hiding his shape and made him look like he had chosen where he was going.

Wear clothes that fit your body, suit the room, and stay clean. Then put your attention on the woman in front of you.