First dates are tough. For all the excited anticipation, there is equal, if not more anxiety. However, it's important to remember that there are, in fact, a few things you can control when it comes to the outcome of a date. One of these things is how you look. Feeling good about yourself and how you look lets you kick off a date with added confidence, which is always attractive.  L...

First dates are tough. For all the excited anticipation, there is equal, if not more anxiety. However, it's important to remember that there are, in fact, a few things you can control when it comes to the outcome of a date. One of these things is how you look. Feeling good about yourself and how you look lets you kick off a date with added confidence, which is always attractive. 

Lessening outfit stress is important for your sanity when you're getting ready for a first date. So, keep these 5 easy tips in mind when preparing for a date, and you'll not only look amazing, but you'll feel great and ready to enjoy your date in style:

1. Plan ahead: Have three "go-to" date outfits.

Nothing helps to decrease stress better than having a plan. Sure, you have to be flexible, but you can also plan in a manner that accounts for sudden rainstorms or heat waves. Taking the time to put together three tried and true date outfits that cover casual to dressy occasions will make your life so much easier.

Do some research to find looks you like. Comb through fashion magazines and your favorite blogs to get a sense of the styles you love. Visit a fashion community like Go Try It On to browse the style of real people with diverse taste. There is even a curated section for date dressing that features not only the latest related outfits but a section of the best date outfits from the site. Peruse the photos for looks you like and try to recreate them using your closet. Add your own personal twists.

2. Get feedback.

People are different. What we love might not be someone else’s cup of tea. Although wearing clothes that reflect your personality and what you love is definitely important, so is trying to appeal to your date. Getting other people’s feedback, particularly from neutral, non-emotionally invested peers, can be the best way to truly know what works and what doesn’t. Don’t know where to get this feedback? Go Try It On can help.

Go Try It On is a positive community with over 7 million male and female opinions and an iPhone app to boot. Whether you are at home or in the dressing room, this well-curated community with zero tolerance for inappropriate conduct is there to help you with your outfit. If you love a certain dress but are not sure which shoes to wear, show your new friends both and they’ll help you choose. One of the great things about getting feedback from this community is that you will hear opinions from people from all over the globe with completely different style personas. This can actually help you create a look that will be interesting as well as appealing.

3. Dress appropriately.

Once you know what the plan is for your date, do some research. If you’re going to a baseball game, don’t wear heels and a fancy dress or your best suit! Although it seems obvious, you’d be surprised how many people do not dress for the location and occasion. If you aren’t sure what’s right, ask other people who may have done the activity or even make some calls.

A first date is also not the time to show too much skin. The goal is to engage your date with your personality, your words, and your smile. Maintain balance with your outfit and keep it classy.

4. Edit your outfit.

Now that you have your favorite date looks and you know where you are going, you can adapt your chosen outfit to the situation at hand. Go back to your favorite Go Try It On community and ask for some help in tweaking your outfit a bit so it is perfect for the weather, the activity, the location, and, of course, the person you’re meeting. Better yet, add community members whose styles you love as friends and seek their counsel as your own personal stylists. This will help you achieve the look you’re going for each time. Remember: when in doubt, Go Try It On before you put it on!

5. Above everything else, be comfortable!

It will not matter if you have the hottest new heels on if you have to walk two miles in them. Dates can take unexpected turns, and you want to be able to take advantage of them. Wear shoes you know are comfortable yet look great. Your clothes should feel like an extension of your personality and they should fit well. Stay away from too-tight pants or shirts with buttons that don’t stay closed. Road test your outfit by sitting, standing, walking, etc., to make sure that you feel secure that it looks and feels great no matter what you do.

Comfort does not have to mean unattractive. Being comfortable in how we look is a huge part of feeling confident, which is one of the most attractive qualities in a person. All of this planning and work with your new friends from Go Try It On will help you put together date looks that ensure you will look and feel great.

Rosie Munger is a California native who loves clothes and sometimes finds date-dressing fun. She can’t wait to go shopping with the Go Try It On app to get feedback on the go as she plans her next date outfit.