Modern dating sometimes resembles this famous scene from the 300 movie where Gerard Butler shouts “This is Sparta” and pushes poor people down the abyss.
Okay, okay, maybe we’re being a little dramatic here, but you can’t disagree that the swipe-right world of dating is brutal. Any minor detail is not to their liking – and you’re immediately out.
When that’s the reality of matching with other singles, digital-first impressions become the hottest commodity. Your profile picture is what stands between you and all the wonderful people you can meet, and it’s the styling in that photo that makes or breaks your online dating experience.
That’s why we argue that fashion is an inherent part of your digital identity and what you choose to wear for your profile pics matters more than you think.
The Psychology of Style & Attraction
Style and attraction go hand-in-hand.
The way we dress does really make a difference as it signals to others how they should perceive us. Formal clothing, for example, is known to be associated with authority, respect, and power. Someone who’s dressed as they came straight out of the Suits filming scene will be perceived differently and create a separate kind of attraction than a person dressed up as a rock star.
But the outfits we put on ourselves in the morning don’t just influence how society sees us. They also greatly affect the way we think of ourselves. Remember the day when your hair is done nicely, you had a good night’s sleep, and you wear a top set of clothing that you know is in style and fits you greatly? Now that’s what we call a good start to the day!
Yes, it’s just a few pieces of fabric sewn together, but they have the power to change our mood and confidence levels, and, consequently, make us more attractive to others. Because knowing you look great and being self-assured (without arrogance) is hot.
Subtle cues that matter
It’s not just the fit itself that creates an aura and makes you look a certain way. Many little details play a part in bringing the outfit to perfection or messing it up.
Here is what you should watch out for.
- How well the clothing fits you
- Whether colors look flattering or bad on you
- Your hair: it needs to be washed, combed, and styled
- Put-together makeup that’s not smudged or all over the place
- Your poses, body language, and facial expressions
- How well accessories align with the look and if you wear them at all
The tips above all work for in-person and online first impressions. Additionally, if you’re choosing what photos to post in your profile, watch out for backgrounds. Messy spaces, clutter, and pattern-heavy backgrounds will all move the focus away from you. Plus, they can make a wrong impression.
Bonus tip: Nobody appreciates group photos for dating app profiles. Why are other people in the frame? Are they your better-looking friends who’re supposed to convince singles to match with you? Did you date any of them? Couldn’t one person from your photos take a snap of just you? It’s not a good look either way.
Profile Picture Power
When you meet someone in real life, they see not just your face and your look, but they get to feel your vibe through conversations and body language. All that is pretty limited with online dating, so style and posing become your ultimate dating tools.
If you want to create an instant connection and a great first impression, you’ll need to pay attention to your outfit and grooming choices.
Picking an outfit that matches your personality is not always easy, but it’s important to do it in online dating to ensure you’re sending the right message to all the platform’s users.
- Take some time to think about your style identity.
- Make a brief list of top colors that match your energy the best.
- Silhouettes aside, play with textures and fabrics to add depth to your fashion.
- Don’t have a budget to shop? Accessories the look with little details.
- Prioritize comfort over trends or uncomfortable fits.
Working out what type of looks you really like and what makes you feel the best will give you that confidence boost that we all need as we start dating online or offline.
Tip: Unless you’re a professional stylist, go with the less-is-more philosophy. Overly aggressive styling and too polished and filtered outfits will create a feeling of you wearing a costume rather than something that you’d genuinely put on yourself.
Also, don’t be afraid to pull references from celebrities. For example, Cydney Christine is rocking many edgy but realistic outfits that you can wear for an evening date on a busy day when you’re also running errands around the city.
Dressing for the First (Real-Life) Date
Moving from digital to physical dating is exciting! Finally, you’ll get to see the person you’ve been gushing over for the past few days or a couple of weeks.
What do you wear though?
For starters, think of the date format and plan location and activity-appropriate looks. A rooftop party, a picnic in the park, and a day out on the golf course all require different types of outfits, hairstyles, makeup looks, and, most importantly, footwear.
Once you know what your date is going to look like, review what you have in the wardrobe. The temptation to buy something new for the occasion might be high, but make sure you’re being smart and making the most of your existing closet.
- Be yourself. Don’t try to invent a whole new style at the last minute.
- You need to look good, but you must feel good. Prioritize comfort.
- Take good care of every element of your outfit before going out – wash, clean, and iron it.
- Take an everything shower. You’ll feel good, and you’ll be more relaxed and at ease during the date.
- Wear something from your favorites list. It can be a jewelry piece, a jacket, or maybe even the color you know works well with your skin type and facial features.
Here are the bonus quick beauty and grooming tips to polish the whole look.
- Make a face mask, moisturize your skin, and drink lots of water a couple of days before the date to help your skin glow from the inside.
- Brows are the frame of your face – shape and clean them nicely.
- Hydrate your lips to make them even more irresistible.
- If you’re not good with styling your hair, make sure it’s washed and moisturized with hair masks and conditioners.
- Scents are powerful – apply a little bit of fragrance to create a stronger impression.
Final Thoughts
First impressions matter, but authenticity matters more.
As you work on your style and think of ways to look cool and edgy online and when you go on dates, remember that the way you present yourself shouldn’t be deceiving. We’re all out there on dating apps trying to find someone who will make our hearts beat faster, and you can only achieve that with people who truly match with you on a deeper level.
Style is a powerful way to communicate who you are and what you’re all about. Use it wisely, whether you’re browsing a dating app or sitting in front of someone at a candlelit dinner. Your style speaks before you get a chance to open your mouth, so make it count!