First Date Jitters? Your Ultimate Guide to Perfecting Dating in 2024

Nervous about a first date? That’s completely normal.

Fortunately, dating is a skill, which means there are ways you can get better at it and feel more confident about it.

To add to our latest article about 8 tips for improving your dating skills in 2024, we have put together this guide to first dates.

In this guide, we answer common first date questions, such as:

• What Do I Wear on a First Date?
• What Should I Talk About on a First Date?
• What Are the Best First Date Conversation Starters?
• Where Should I Go on a First Date?
• What Are the Best First Date Ideas in Perth?

What Do I Wear on a First Date?

“What should I wear on a first date?”

When working with clients, this is one of the questions we hear most.

Here are some of the tips we recommend on what to wear on a first date:

Prioritise Comfort – If your waistband is digging into your stomach or if your shirt is constantly riding up, your discomfort may show through in your body language. You may end up appearing uptight, closed off, or disinterested when you’re just uncomfortable.

Focus on wearing an outfit that isn’t too warm or cold, isn’t too tight, doesn’t bunch up, and is properly fitted.

Wear What You Like — Part of being comfortable is wearing what you like. For men, if you hate suits or ties, don’t wear them. For women, if you hate corsets or high heels, don’t force it.

Wear an outfit that shows off your personality, is comfortable, and makes you feel like your genuine self. You can still look presentable and put together without forcing yourself to wear something you hate.

Stick to Simple — No need to overthink a first date outfit. Opt for a timeless, classic, simple look. For men, this could be a wrinkle-free tee, button-up shirt, well-fitted jeans, dress shoes, and a watch. Women can wear a blouse and jeans, a favourite dress, and add a couple of accessories if desired.

Skip Brand New Outfits — Getting a new outfit for a date can be a great confidence boost. But don’t test it out for the first time on your date. You’ll risk finding out the outfit is uncomfortable, itchy, or restrictive. Wear pieces you know fit well and are comfortable.

Take the Location into Account — You don’t want to show up for an outdoor date and fry in the sun. If you’re getting together for an afternoon hike, come prepared with a sun hat and sunglasses. Set to check out some local wineries in the late afternoon? Bring along a lightweight sweater or jacket in case the temps cool once the sun goes down. Also, consider if the venue is elegant or casual and dress accordingly.

For a more in-depth look at how to dress, check out What to Wear on a First Date.

What Should I Talk About on a Date?

On a first date, it’s important to prevent those dreaded awkward silences and keep the conversation flowing naturally. To do so, focus on asking open-ended questions rather than ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions that bring the conversation to a halt.

It can be helpful to consider potential conversation topics ahead of time. Having a few questions you want to ask and knowing what you might want to talk about can take away some of that first date anxiety.

If you need some inspiration, here are some first date conversation starters that are simple but effective:

• What is your favourite food or meal?
• What do your weekends usually look like?
• What is the most fun thing you’ve done lately?
• How do you unwind after a stressful day?
• What kind of music do you listen to?
• Have you seen any good movies lately?
• Have you read any good books lately?
• Where was the last place you travelled to?
• What places are on your travel bucket list?
• Are you close with your family?
• Do you have any siblings?
• Do you have any pets?
• Did you grow up in the area?
• What skills are you working on developing right now?
• What are your career or life goals in the next few months?
• How do you deal with stress?
• What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in life?

Along with listening actively, trying to find common interests, and asking open-ended questions, there are some important things to steer clear of on a first date.

Here are some mistakes to avoid during first date conversations:

• Avoid getting into topics that are too serious
• Don’t rattle off constant questions (this can make the date feel more like an interview or interrogation rather than two people having fun getting to know each other)
• Don’t talk about exes
• Avoid diving into past traumas
• Don’t make judgmental comments
• Don’t make the conversation all about yourself
• Avoid bringing up potentially controversial topics, such as politics

You May Also Like: 10 Tips for Men: How to Ace Your First Date

Where Should I Go on a First Date?

Our clients often ask us where to go in Perth on a first date. Given the ample sunshine and lovely weather right now, we like to recommend options that are outdoors.

The summer months in Perth are perfect for scenic hikes, taking in the area’s gorgeous natural surroundings, and sampling gourmet foods and wines.

Given how hot it’s been this summer, some other suggestions could be a stroll on the beach combined with a simple picnic or even a nice sunset dinner.

For more of our favourite outdoor date ideas in Perth, check out this article: Top 5 Summer Date Ideas For Adults in Perth

Ready to Build Your Dating Skills and Get Out There with Confidence?

Still feeling those first date jitters?

We’re here to support and guide you so you can replace those nervous first date feelings with excitement and confidence.

Our lifestyle consultants can help improve areas of your life you want to work on. Whether you’re looking to build your confidence, boost your style, get more serious about your fitness, or improve your social skills, our experts can create a personalised plan to address your goals.

Having trouble finding a good match to go on a first date with? That’s where our expert matchmaking skills come in.

We take the time to get to know our clients and understand what makes them tick, pinpoint what a healthy relationship would look like for them, and who would complement them.

We’ve successfully helped hundreds of Perth singles find quality, genuine connections and would love to do the same for you.

If you’re ready to grow your dating skills or learn more about our matchmaking approach, contact us today to set up your confidential, free consultation.