By Libby Britten

If you think you know women, think again. You may think women are confusing, complex people who are quick to judge yet easily offended. While this may be true for some, the majority are quite simple and work on one basic principle, respect. Respect for themselves, for others and most of all from others. The way to a woman’s heart is not through fast cars and money; it’s through showing a little bit of respect.  The easiest way to show respect is through your appearance. By dressing well you show respect for yourself and those around you, and all women appreciate a man who looks after himself.

So how do women want a man to dress? You may think you know what women like, but newsflash you don't. Greasy hair and gold chains may impress in the Wog Boy but they certainly have no place in the real world, especially on a first date. There can be a lot of pressure to dress well on a first date, often resulting in the worst possible outfit choice, simply by sheer panic. Regardless of the type of date, it is important to remember a few simple rules; be comfortable in what you are wearing and when in doubt over dress.

The Casual Lunch

A casual weekend lunch or coffee date is the perfect opportunity to get to know someone in a relaxed environment; this is where you can really impress with your casual style. Don’t panic casual style is easy to master, simply remember to look neat and tidy, you may be surprised to learn women generally don’t like the ‘just rolled out of bed look’. Jeans are perfect this type of date and are always comfortable. Teamed with a casual shirt and a pair of boat shoes and you have the perfect laidback outfit. If the weather is a little cool, add a jumper or jacket.  If a shirt is not your thing choose a t-shirt, as long as it is not offensive or days old, a t-shirt is fine. Depending on the date, a t-shirt or polo shirt can be more appropriate and impressive. Judge the situation and dress accordingly. Similarly with shoes, boat shoes always look smart as they add the ‘college cool’ look to an outfit, however you may prefer a sneaker. Only if the temperature is over 30 degrees may you wear thongs on a first date. Feet are a tricky area as some people find feet offensive, as a first date the advice would be to cover up until given the all clear. You don’t want things to end before they’ve begun. When in doubt always ask the opinion of a female friend, having her perspective will be greatly beneficial and may avoid early heartbreak.

The After Work Drink

The after work drink is a date favourite as the pressure of what to wear is taken off slightly by coming straight from work. It (should) ensure you are already dressed in suitable attire. With this in mind, there is zero tolerance for sloppiness. Women do not want to spend a long day at work only to be confronted with a less than impressive date. If you work in an office and wear a suit, plan what suit you will wear prior to the day, including the shirt and tie combo. Women can always tell when you have dressed hurriedly with little thought. A dark suit is always appropriate and always the safe option for the less adventurous dresser. The shirt and tie combo is pivotal to this date outfit as it is the one element of the outfit you can really express your personality. However, being a first day, it is safer to play it down so avoid bright outlandish colours and prints. Women love a man in a suit so this is an easy date to look your sharpest.

The Dinner Date

The most formal and often most daunting of all dates is the dinner date. Of course restaurant depending, this is the date to bring out your finest. Women find this date the hardest to dress for, as there is by far the most pressure to look your best. Take this into consideration when choosing your outfit, women would like to expect that you would put in as much thought as us when dressing for the night. Women would like to think they are worth more than a minutes thought.  A shirt and dress pants are a must. A matching suit jacket or blazer is optional, however, under no circumstances replace a suit jacket with sports or leather jacket, this is not the occasion and you will suffer the consequences.

Date's Aside

Impressing women with your self respect continues even when you are not one on one. Hitting the town on a Saturday night with mates is the perfect opportunity to show the ladies you know how to impress. Wearing pin stripes and adding a kilo of hair gel will not suffice, women will see through it (if they look at all). Saturday night bars and clubs call for a sharp, stylish look that shows off your eye for fashion. Jeans are always a winner as long as they’re new and up to date with trends. They must also be matched with a slim fitting shirt adding a sexy element to the look. Leather shoes are a must so keep your boat shoes and street shoes for more appropriate occasions. A simple outfit showing off form and style will gain you respect as a man who knows style and cares about their appearance.

A lazy Sunday BBQ or afternoon drinks call for a casual yet cool look. Remembering women like a man who takes pride in his appearance at all times, it is vital to cover up traces from the previous nights antics. By teaming shorts or jeans with a tailored white shirt you instantly brighten up your appearance. To further avoid the worst for wear look, add a pair of stylish sunnies, they are perfect for showing off the latest trend as well as your tired eyes. Finish off the outfit with either a pair of boat shoes or street shoes.

If your female friends always dress well then you should make an extra effort to reciprocate by dressing at a high standard. Always making an effort to present yourself well reflects positively on other aspects of your life.  From respect for yourself comes respects from others, so remember, always dress to impress.