What is the best outfit to wear to a first date? Everyone wants to look their best and dress as strategically as possible when going on a first date and making a first impression. While there may not be an exact mathematical formula, there are certain concepts that can help you figure out what’s best to wear on your first date with a guy/girl you like.

1. Shine like a diamond, but less

While outrageous personal style is wonderful, if you tend to wear clothing that’s shocking, attention-grabbing, flashy or wacky in any way, you might want to tone it down a little bit for a first date. Ideally, you want the focus to be on you and your personality – wild outfits will simply distract from you and could give the impression that you’re equally as “out-there” as your fashion choices. Save the McQueen feathers & fish-scale ensemble for fashion week.

2. Comfortable in your own skin

Being trendy is cool, and dressing to impress is fine. However, your first priority should be comfort when heading out for a first date. That doesn’t mean raggedy pijamas and Uggs. It means that you should feel comfortable in whatever you’re wearing. Avoid shoes or clothes that cause you pain or discomfort – they’ll only distract you during your date, and probably make you feel less confident about the way you look. Find an outfit that is both stylish and comfortable if you want to be 100% “there” on your date.

3. Peek a boo

A first date is all about first impressions. While many guys don’t mind a girl in a sexy outfit, showing too much skin, cleavage or leg on a first date can easily give someone the wrong impression. A slow reveal of your sexy features over time is a much better strategy than giving up all your secrets on a first date – no matter how killer your bod is. On the other hand, you don’t need to show up dressed like a nun either. There is a happy middle road.

4. On location

One of the most certain ways to look silly on a first date is to dress inappropriately for whatever place or activity will be the location of the date. Are you strolling in the park? Skip the high heels. Going to a casual bar? Leave the cocktail dress at home. While it’s tempting to pull out your most fashionable dress for a first date, it’s usually much wiser to show a guy that you can look good in casual-mode as well. Being over-dressed also carries a whiff of trying too hard and therefore, desperation. Never a good idea. During the first date, a lot guys imagine whether you could fit into their lives. Don’t give him a reason to think that you’re a fashion-obsessed queen or spoiled heiress. Dress down.

5. Less is more

There is a lot to be said for a little, well applied makeup. Keep it simple and natural – too much makeup will make you look like a weirdo. A general rule is to pick one feature to accentuate with makeup per look. If you love a striking red lip, then leave your eyes and cheeks very clean, for example. You would easily do just as well applying some lip gloss and neutral-toned eye shadow.

6. Natural + style

Your general concept for first-date dressing and primping should be: look natural, with a little added touch of style. This will send the message that you’re down to earth, comfortable with yourself, confident, but still appreciate and enjoy looking good. When in doubt, you can always opt for a little black dress, accessorized with heels and a little makeup. Enjoy your first dates!