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When taken in the context of dating, dress for success takes a different spin. Keep in mind that anytime you plan to attend an event where the majority of those in attendance will be setting eyes on you for the first time, you must do all you can to make a positive first impression. Even if the event is outdoors, like our Inning Dates events, a safe bet is to aim for a look that’s  something in the range of what would be considered somewhat dressy to business casual. A cocktail dress or three piece suit might be too much while athletic or sports outfits, overalls and jeans are too casual.

Dress for your audience, not to please yourself. Ladies, dress for the men. Men, dress for the ladies. What’s the difference? Plenty! But, perhaps, not in the overt ways you might think. Using proven science can increase your chances of attracting the opposite sex. Science is discovering that men and women actually see things differently. Men are drawn to bright colors but often do not experience the intensity of color and can have a hard time focusing on the detail in prints. So, bright solids may attract their eye more than a busy print or plaid or a drab solid.  Think of that the next time you see a mysterious stranger across a crowded room.

Many people favor black because they consider it dressy, dramatic and foolproof (read “easy”). But, especially, at evening gatherings, it’s easy to become lost in a sea of black because so many others are also wearing black.  I had a gal pal who flatly refused to wear black if she was headed to a dressy event. She always opted instead for a bright color like red, vivid pink or royal blue because she wanted to be sure to stand out in the crowd.  If you’ve ever been to a black tie affair, you can confirm her theory.

Also. be aware that as one ages and looses some skin and hair pigment (hair begins to gray), black can become draining. Consider alternatives like dark blue, gray or brown. Or, wear a more flattering color nearer to your face and the black as a bottom. A few years ago, More magazine’s “What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life,” column had a great article about recognizing that as we age and our coloring changes so too should our color choices. It offered some practical advice as well as concrete examples of more flattering color options.

In this time of fiscal restraint, something that costs nothing is to take a walk through a favorite clothing store and just be inspired by the colors that are currently in vogue. Then take an inspiring walk through your own closet. You might just strike gold. Take a cue from retailers and professional dressers and arrange the clothing in your closet by color and intensity so that they span from dark to light or vice verse.  You’ll be able to pull together combinations that might never have occurred to you before – just because now color coordinates are in close proximity.

Select a color or color combination that flatters you. One hint is if you have to use a lot of make-up or other color near your face, then that color is not maybe as flattering as another might be for you. Also learn whether your coloring is warm or cool and gravitate to those ranges within a color as they’ll be more complementary.

Make sure your clothes fit and that they flatter your body type. There’s a difference between clothes that fit well and those that don’t. That might seem silly to anyone who hasn’t ever watched “What Not to Wear.” Clothes that fit your body aren’t so tight that they create bulges or make it look like you’re falling out of them. If you’re at all overweight,  something too tight makes that more obvious.  If you’re skinny, it makes you look even skinnier. Clothes shouldn’t engulf your body either. That can make someone with a small frame look even smaller.

If you have a bulge here or there, seek out a good lingerie department or store. The list of foundation options that can address a figure challenge just continues to grow.  Why not try some of the new slinky type knits that just skim the body instead of clinging to it? Identifying and accepting your body type can go along way to finding clothes that flatter it.

A former co-worker of mine was very petite but she never seemed as tiny as she actually was because she learned the secret of monochromatic dressing. She cultivated a head-to-toe same color look which seemed to elongate her body. It became her trademark and was very flattering. This can also be a very fashionable and safe look for men who maybe don’t have a strong fashion sense. The first step in having good taste is learning what is “good taste” (flattering) for you!