Classic date etiquette

[Thetam]

Hi Everyone

Been lurking this forum for a while slowly redoing my wardrobe. I've got a date coming up and was wondering about classic date etiquette. She is from an educated conservative old fashioned family and I want to make a good first impression.

My instincts tell me to go with a navy suit, white oxford shirt, with no tie. We are going to a nice restaurant

What is proper etiquette for a date?

 

[RedLantern]

How old are you? How well do you know each other already? How do you know each other? Rule #1 of dating is make sure your date feels comfortable. Depending on your answer to the previous questions, I can see a fancy restaurant and a conservative suit making a woman uncomfortable on a date. Also, make sure that YOU are comfortable. If you're not comfortable, you won't be confident and won't be able to put your best foot forward.

 

[Thetam]

How old are you? How well do you know each other already? How do you know each other? Rule #1 of dating is make sure your date feels comfortable. Depending on your answer to the previous questions, I can see a fancy restaurant and a conservative suit making a woman uncomfortable on a date. Also, make sure that YOU are comfortable. If you're not comfortable, you won't be confident and won't be able to put your best foot forward.

I'm 25, we don't know each other really well

The backstory is this meet was arranged by a mutual friend, our mutual friend talks about us a lot and wanted us to meet. Her parents know me as well and are on board with the idea.

I think anything less than a nice restaurant would be inappropriate. Her dad already asked about where I plan to take her, what I'm going to wear, and talked about etiquette

I'm fine in a suit it's what I would wear to a formal event or dinner, the only thing I wasn't sure of is if I was going to wear a tie or not

I'm new to dating so I'm nervous but excited

 

[RedLantern]

Just ask her dad then, I guess? IMHO, the respectful thing to do is to consider the thoughts, opinions, and preferences of the lady, not to assume that her father or your friend speaks for her.

 

[RedLantern]

WRT wardrobe, you shouldn’t wear a suit without a tie.

 

[Thetam]

WRT wardrobe, you shouldn’t wear a suit without a tie.

What does WRT mean?

 

[RedLantern]

with regard/respect to

 

[mhip]

WRT wardrobe, you shouldn’t wear a suit without a tie.

Maybe a West Coast thing, but I think the Lucifer look kills it for occasions such as these.

 

[Huntsman]

I don't see any issues with wearing a suit with no tie. It's the right decision in some cases. Must have pocket square, though. And not black on black on black, of course. Pre-pandemic, I wore a suit every day, and with a tie. Depends on you, depends on your date, depends on the restaurant.

 

[Thetam]

I went with a navy suit, white dress shirt, no tie, brown dress shoes

We ended up dating for about 7 months

She told me she would remember that first date forever. It was the effort that mattered even though she was underdressed. I took her to a steakhouse

I agree with the comment above about confidence I felt good because I was dressed up and it made me confident. As long as your comfortable with how you're dressed it's all good.