avoforastig Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Summer has arrived in full force in my neck of the woods. With the heat index reaching near 100 tomorrow, I'm not sure what to wear on an evening drink date tomorrow night. I'm a 33 yo white guy with no natural sense of fashion. Usually on dates I wear a nice pair of jeans, button down shirt, and leather shoes. However, with the extreme heat rolling in, I might be sweating bullets if I try to wear the usual. I wasn't sure if wearing khakis or shorts would be acceptable as they might be more comfortable in the heat. We are meeting at a casual, but somewhat trendy bar. Any tips? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 If it's that hot where you are, shorts will be fine on a date. You try that in say NYC or Boston & it won't work. It's also not 100F in those cities right now. Nice shorts & a collared golf shirt or not too loud Hawaiian shirt will be fine. Just make sure it has a collar Your footwear needs to be neat. No ratty tennis shoes. Please don't wear flip flops if you need a pedicure. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
CautiouslyOptimistic Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Summer has arrived in full force in my neck of the woods. With the heat index reaching near 100 tomorrow, I'm not sure what to wear on an evening drink date tomorrow night. I'm a 33 yo white guy with no natural sense of fashion. Usually on dates I wear a nice pair of jeans, button down shirt, and leather shoes. However, with the extreme heat rolling in, I might be sweating bullets if I try to wear the usual. I wasn't sure if wearing khakis or shorts would be acceptable as they might be more comfortable in the heat. We are meeting at a casual, but somewhat trendy bar. Any tips? I think shorts are fine, and a nice short sleeve white button-down shirt would be nice in my opinion . Link to post Share on other sites
Author avoforastig Posted June 11, 2017 Author Share Posted June 11, 2017 If it's that hot where you are, shorts will be fine on a date. You try that in say NYC or Boston & it won't work. It's also not 100F in those cities right now. Nice shorts & a collared golf shirt or not too loud Hawaiian shirt will be fine. Just make sure it has a collar Your footwear needs to be neat. No ratty tennis shoes. Please don't wear flip flops if you need a pedicure. It is a trendy part of town, I think my date will be coming directly from work, but ladies can wear dresses so they don't die in the heat. If you were in NYC or Boston, what would you wear? I was leaning towards a casual pair of khakis or khaki colored shorts with a loafer type shoes, and a blue button down oxford with no under shirt/sleeves rolled up. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 What you have described sounds perfect. You didn't initially mention that she was coming from work. Under those conditions of course you can't wear shorts. Invest in some linen trousers with wide legs. Get the sales person to help you with fit. They are very airy but still allow you to comfortably wear pants. Schedule date somewhere with air condition & you should be just fine. No bullet sweating required. Link to post Share on other sites
stillafool Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Yes I would say light colored linen pants or shorts with a nice shirt in a summer color. If you have blue eyes wear a blue shirt. Link to post Share on other sites
normal person Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 (edited) If you were in NYC or Boston, what would you wear? I was leaning towards a casual pair of khakis or khaki colored shorts with a loafer type shoes, and a blue button down oxford with no under shirt/sleeves rolled up. In NYC, I would never wear shorts or khakis, regardless of heat. Shorts say you're a child, khakis say that you're an old man. You're still young enough to be "hip," but old enough to command some respect. I'd suggest you wear dark jeans and just deal with the heat, but that's me. The shirt and shoes sound ok. What city are you in, exactly? These things differ across regions. If you're in LA you could probably relax the look more, for example. Here's what I always wear for a first date and am frequently complimented on: - Casual, well fitting, long sleeve button down, sleeves rolled up if it's hot or casual short sleeve button down if it's oppressively hot - Dark jeans - Casual boots - Seasonal cologne (fresh scents for warm weather, muskier scents for cold weather) Edited June 11, 2017 by normal person 2 Link to post Share on other sites
preraph Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Being cool in clothes is all about the fabric. A cotton knit polo would be cool and short sleeved, with a pair of all-cotton pressed and creased trousers or depending where you're going, even pressed and creased DARK new jeans or black jeans, again all cotton and you won't be too hot. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Dis Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 In NYC, I would never wear shorts or khakis, regardless of heat. Shorts say you're a child, khakis say that you're an old man. You're still young enough to be "hip," but old enough to command some respect. I'd suggest you wear dark jeans and just deal with the heat, but that's me. The shirt and shoes sound ok. What city are you in, exactly? These things differ across regions. If you're in LA you could probably relax the look more, for example. Here's what I always wear for a first date and am frequently complimented on: - Casual, well fitting, long sleeve button down, sleeves rolled up if it's hot or casual short sleeve button down if it's oppressively hot - Dark jeans - Casual boots - Seasonal cologne (fresh scents for warm weather, muskier scents for cold weather) Yes. Yes. Yes. Please do not wear shorts...guys can pull off shorts in certain circumstances but a first date is not one of them. Jean shorts are never a good idea for men, but I know you werent planning on those...just a tip for the future I agree with normalperson on going with dark jeans and not khakis. Khakis kind of scream a 1990-2000, preppy look I would go with dark jeans and a lighter long sleeve button down, casually rolled up almost to the elbows...cant lose with that Unfortunately, fashionable outfits arent meant to be comfortable some of the time. You'll be in the a.c in the bar. That'll have to suffice Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites
Dis Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Also, wear a nice watch But dont look at it during the date Link to post Share on other sites
thefooloftheyear Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Depends on what kind of physique you have... TFY Link to post Share on other sites
smackie9 Posted June 11, 2017 Share Posted June 11, 2017 Go to a clothing store where there are a lot of young sales ladies......you tell them where you are going/first date, they will pick out what you need. Eazzzy Peazzzy 3 Link to post Share on other sites
rushed Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 There's AC in the bar, right? Do not wear shorts on a first date. Wear dark jeans. You'll be fine. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
CptInsano Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 (edited) Also, wear a nice watch [/Quote] And I thought only men ove 40 are wearing nice watches to impress other men over 40. My money would be on picking the right shoes. But dont look at it during the date Agreed. Back to the OP, there are alternatives to shorts. I personally like thin tan jeans that places like H&M sell, but chinos or linen pants will do just fine. I would avoid sandals, sneakers or dress shoes, and opt for shoes made out of a breathable material like deck shoes, of course work without socks. And before I forget. If you wear a cologne pick something that is made for the warmer season and/or use it sparingly. Edited June 12, 2017 by CptInsano 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GunslingerRoland Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I'm not sure why someone arbitrarily decided that shorts no matter how dressy they are, are considered too casual for a man for any circumstances. Less so than jeans even. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 It really depends on the shorts & the setting. In this instance though, the OP is meeting his date for their 1st date after work & she will be in business attire. Accordingly shorts would be inappropriate for this first date. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GorillaTheater Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I'm not sure why weather is even much of a consideration. I live in a place where the climate is hellish (almost literally) 5-or-so months out of the year. We've been in the 90s for at least a month. Unless I'm working outside, the climate doesn't have much to do with what I wear. That's what AC is for. Link to post Share on other sites
GunslingerRoland Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 It really depends on the shorts & the setting. In this instance though, the OP is meeting his date for their 1st date after work & she will be in business attire. Accordingly shorts would be inappropriate for this first date. But everyone is saying jeans is the answer, how is that on the same level as business attire. Also I'd argue most women's business attire is similar to what would be called casual wear for men. Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 But everyone is saying jeans is the answer, how is that on the same level as business attire. Also I'd argue most women's business attire is similar to what would be called casual wear for men. Business attire is changing. In my industry it still means suits for men & women. Men can dress up a pair of jeans more easily than women by throwing a blazer over them. I don't care how much they cost, I will never think a woman looks dressed up in jeans, no matter what. Fashionable maybe, but not dressed up. It also varies by region. Dressed up in some parts of the country, especially the usually hot parts, is still way more causal then casual in the Northeast. Even on the hottest weekday you will still find men in suits. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GunslingerRoland Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Business attire is changing. In my industry it still means suits for men & women. Men can dress up a pair of jeans more easily than women by throwing a blazer over them. I don't care how much they cost, I will never think a woman looks dressed up in jeans, no matter what. Fashionable maybe, but not dressed up. It also varies by region. Dressed up in some parts of the country, especially the usually hot parts, is still way more causal then casual in the Northeast. Even on the hottest weekday you will still find men in suits. Very interesting... Up here, dress becomes more casual every year. But more so with women. I see companies where the men wear suits, and women get away with leggings, jeans, shorts, night club style mini skirts, basically anything this side of jogging pants and a sweater. Link to post Share on other sites
d0nnivain Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I've made the same observations & other than the loss of pantyhose I don't think it's an improvement. Before you complain about ties, I wore a tie as a waiter for years. I'd take a tie over pantyhose any day. lol 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GunslingerRoland Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I just never really understood why all acceptable dressy men's fashions are geared towards moderately cold weather whereas women's fashions cross the whole spectrum. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
No_Go Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Well it is 95 degrees in Boston right now, I'm sure in the sun is over 100 and is already 5 pm... If I was on a date I'd prefer him to wear shorts and sandals than to had a sun stroke For women is easy - I was looking forward to the summer to take out my summer dresses. For guys - it shouldn't be that hard as well. If you really are uncomfortable in more casual clothes just go to the trendy bar later at night when is cooler. If it's that hot where you are, shorts will be fine on a date. You try that in say NYC or Boston & it won't work. It's also not 100F in those cities right now. Nice shorts & a collared golf shirt or not too loud Hawaiian shirt will be fine. Just make sure it has a collar Your footwear needs to be neat. No ratty tennis shoes. Please don't wear flip flops if you need a pedicure. Link to post Share on other sites
tetrahedral Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I just never really understood why all acceptable dressy men's fashions are geared towards moderately cold weather whereas women's fashions cross the whole spectrum. They aren't. Men just don't have as many clothes, so if you compare their wardrobes to women, you'll find more holes in the temperature/formality spectrum. So what's the advice giver to do? Suggest the OP/magazine reader wear linen trousers, which he probably doesn't have? Much more practical to just tell him to err on the side of caution and bring out the dark jeans. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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