I have been on my fair share of first dates now, and I’ve figured out some pretty good standard practices to make first dates go a lot smoother. Here are a few quick tips to take some of the jitters out of a first date:
- Have a few different “date” outfits picked out. For example, when I first started dating in the winter I had two first date outfits I would wear depending on my mood. The first was a gray V-neck sweater with leggings and black heeled ankle boots (Right, Robert?). The second was jeans, brown leather boots, and a ballet pink lacy t-shirt. By having specific clothing as my “go-to” date outfits I never had to worry at the last minute that I didn’t feel good in my clothes. If I feel edgy I’ll switch things around a bit, but it’s nice knowing that I have two killer go-to outfits.
Aaand summer calls for swapping out the sweater for a lacy tank! I also always paint my nails different colors — that’s my one beauty must-have.* - Create a “dating playlist” to jam to on your way to the date. Even after dozens of first dates, you still sometimes get a little case of the butterflies before going out. By listening to feel-good songs you can dance around in your car and forget about any of the anticipated awkwardness.
- If you’re talking to a couple of people at once, go back and do a quick overview of the conversation you’ve had with your date. It’s obvious people usually have a few options, but is still kind of embarrassing when you mix someone up with another prospect. Something about meeting someone in person for the first time helps you remember details about them, but before that it can be easy to confuse one online date with another.
- I like looking over a menu before going to a restaurant if I am concerned about working around my food allergies (I have acquired many the last 2 years — what kind of 25-year-old doesn’t know they’re allergic to tomatoes and potatoes?!). That way I can relax and enjoy the date instead of take twenty minutes to customize an order.
- Remember to relax and have fun! The person you are out with agreed to go on a date with you, so there is something there. Even if you just have another notch in your dating belt after, you’ve also gained a new experience and collected another story to tell.
Do you have any other ideas to make dating a little bit easier? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. 🙂
*Photo taken by my beautiful friend Audrey! Check her out if you are in the DMV and need a photographer for anything.
Krista Lauren 
Do you feel like going out to a restaurant is a good first date choice? I tend to prefer doing something a little more active. Something that pushes our boundaries just a little.
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I think either can be great! Sadly I have a weird autonomic nervous system disorder, so it wouldn’t be ideal for me personally, but I think most people would really love an adventure date. Let me know what y’all do if you try that! 🙂
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Great advice. Love them all, especially number 3. I remember doing that once. I brought up something that my date told me about. However he had no idea what I was talking about cause he wasn’t the one who told me it.
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Hahaha oh my gosh, that’s hilarious. I’ve definitely been there too, though, and it’s so awkward when you realize your mistake!
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