What's Your Style?

**Beirut** · 03-25-2005, 04:09

Originally Posted by AdrianII

Guys, you always wear a tie to a date; all women love it, they love it even more if you loosen it later on, and what they love most of all is that they can pull it off once the two of you are past the, um, formalities.

Hmmmmmm. You have a point. But I just hate them anyway. They're a total anachronism.

**Uesugi Kenshin** · 03-25-2005, 04:48

I would have my nicer but not nice grey pants on, I have two pairs. One has fewer pockets, so it is nicer I guess. I would have on a T-shirt, not one of the ones with holes or stains, I have no idea which one, I don't really pay much attention. I would have my normal Merril half boot type sneaker things on. Very comfy, very waterproof and my only pair of shoes. No hat. I would have my regular battered Timex watch. A worn brown belt. My black fleece jacket, probably covered in dog hair, but I wouldn't wear it while eating. Probably grey socks. I don't remember requiring any other type of clothing....

**KukriKhan** · 03-25-2005, 06:13

Blind date? First look? She'll be wearing her best, therefore so will I.

Winter in the N.Hemisphere = wool. She'll likely go with wool slacks, probably grey-ish, so as to not detract from her top, which will frame/present her face - color and texture complimentary to her complexion. Best guess: a pastel loose turtleneck. Pink, sky blue, soft green...that kind of thing. The message being: "I am desireable, but unattainable if you're an idiot.".

So my clothes should accent hers, and show off my 'knows-how-the-world works'-ness. From the top: no hat. Tweed blazer over a lightweight wool dark-colored turtleneck (hint: always go turtleneck when wearing a tie is questionable). Sensible (no more than 2 inches wide) belt holding up charcoal-grey wool trousers, which hide boxer shorts of your choice, and socks that match or compliment your shirt color. Clean, freshly-polished footwear (black, in this case).

Realize that her apprehension of you will be: eyes, mouth, shoulders & arms, waist, feet - in that order. That is: in the first 30 seconds. After that she'll concentrate on eyes and mouth. So wash well, shave, brush, etc. You know: groom.

**Cha** · 03-25-2005, 07:25

I avoid eating on a first date. I get nervous and get an indigestion.
You'll do fine with her at dinner because I think you're not nervous. Anyway, I would try to meet her where I am most comfortable. Her first impression of you is the most important.

**Uesugi Kenshin** · 03-25-2005, 16:34

Wow Kukri you thought about that a lot...
I would probably not go out on a blind date so I did not think too much about it.

**Togakure** · 03-25-2005, 18:39

Hear, here ... words of wisdom from Kukrikhan-san.

Since I started this thread I guess I should elaborate with some detail, so here goes:

In situations like these, I try to balance illiciting a favorable response from my date with putting the "real me" forward. The occasion is as much an 'intel-gathering' event for me as it is for my date. I prefer a bold and fiery personality, secure in who they are and what they like, but who are, at the same time, open-minded and adventurous. Self-centered, quick-to-judge people have never been my thing. I'm interested in partnerships, not a "princess" to pamper (many women over here seem to think that the world revolves around them ... not my type).

My style reflects my personality--a blend of refinement and rough edges, sophistication and simplicity, boldness and subtlety. I tend to favor understated "timeless classic" style over showy, trendy fashion. I like to present a combination of "class" meets "street." I save my more formal, dressier presentation for the second date. The first is a bit of a test of character, to assess the reaction of my prospective partner.

For starters there's the jacket. I'll usually spend some money here. My favorite is a black wool blazer with a subtle, complex texture, single-breasted Italian cut. I've found some great specialty shops in the Union Square area of San Francisco that carry very fine Italian-made suits and sport coats, which you can get for great prices if you dicker. I'm not very good at bartering, but I have a Vietnamese friend who is a master; he can take a $1500 sticker price and finagle (sp?) the proprietor down to $300-400 dollars (I have to leave and go get coffee; it gets really intense). The quality and attention to detail is vastly superior to what you'd find at a Macy's or Nordstrom's for the same price.

Next would be a Merino wool sweater, also black, with a plain texture (so as not to distract from the texture in my jacket) and "mock" turtleneck (full turtlenecks have always invoked a 60's-70's reaction for me ... I wear them only in the dead of winter).

Next would be a pair of clean, wrinkle-free blue jeans (yep, blue jeans) that are not quite new but that don't have any holes, wear-spots or danglies yet (I love jeans with all of the aforementioned, but not on an early date), relaxed fit and tapered in the leg (boot cut). I like Levi and Gap jeans. Around my waist (at hip level, not too high, but not down around my ass either), a slim (1-1.5 inch) black leather belt with no texture and a very simple silver buckle.

Shoes: Here's another place where I will spend money. I'm about 5'8" tall, and I've always had this thing for boots (a bit of the "street" in me, along with the love of jeans). Over the years I tried a lot of different kinds, and finally settled on Lucchese boots, hand-made in Texas. They make some very fine boots, imo. The style I like aren't really "cowboy,"--they look more like a cross between Bono's English riding-style boots and policeware, plain with no fancy stitching or designs on them. Black, and kept immaculately polished, the toes are tapered but not pointed. I appear to be a couple of inches taller in them, and they make a nice heavy sound when I walk. Women have commented that they liked the way a man's hips move when they walk in boots, and the way they tend to kilter when standing still. I've taken these comments to heart. Walk nice and slow though--you tend to look (and sound) silly in them if you're hurrying around.

Underwear: black CK boxer-briefs (no buttons), black t-shirt, black boot socks. Maybe some impish humor in the socks with color accents or patterns or both (but it's not seen unless I take my boots off so ...).

Accessories: My first true love back in the 80's gave me a small gold pirate hoop earring. I never took it out for years after, and when I lost it down the shower drain, I immediately replaced it with an identical one. I still wear it to this day, to honor her (of course I don't tell my dates that). My watch is stainless steel and gold with a black face. It's modern style reflects my "techie" facet. A watch is a man's most significant piece of "jewelry" imo, so I spent some money here--Omega makes some very fine watches. I used to wear an extremely narrow gold band ring on my left hand's middle finger, which had a black enamel stripe running down its center (it was a traditional Hawaiian engagement ring, for those who are familiar with such things). I lost it somewhere, and haven't replaced it yet. But I probably will someday.

I have a pair of rectangular Armani glasses, but tend to use contact lenses so I can wear my shades when I'm out and about. I have a lot of shades, but for the date I'd probably wear my rectangular black metal Revos with the icy blue reflective lenses. Of course, they come off when the sun goes down--I always thought guys who wear their sunglasses at night looked pretty silly (anyone remember Cory Heart? We did that silly song ...). I'd wear my regular glasses on the second date, when I suit up and take her to an elegant restaurant and a fine cultural event.

Every woman I've ever dated, without exception, has commented that they like the classic Armani cologne/deoderant that I wear when I go out. Nowadays it's the only thing I use. Why mess with what works?

If it's cold, I'll top this all off with my long and heavy Nino Cerruti topcoat and a pair of very tight, thin leather gloves (like the cops wear). Unless I'm coming directy from work, I'd leave my gunmetal gray, Zero-Halliburton aluminium attache at home. A fresh haircut, trimmed nails, moustache and goatee are automatic.

I'd definitely try and get her to come dancing with me after dinner, as I love to dance, and I learn so much about them, watching them dance. Plus I get to show off a bit ... I've been told I'm not a stereotypical "white boy" in this respect. Shake it, baby!

Before I step out the door I center myself and summon up the "little devil" in me that has, in the past, both charmed and alarmed my first dates. Will they dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? Hehe ... Vamenos--let's find out!

**Craterus** · 03-26-2005, 14:16

i would wear black jeans with a black button-up shirt, or i have this nice long-sleeve black shirt that looks great with black jeans!
i don't really have any fancy shoes, so i guess i'd wear my b-ball shoes lol!
you can't beat CK boxers and white socks is cool!