There are so many parts of dating that can be stressful. Wondering if your partner likes you as much as you like them, navigating new territory when it comes to expectations and more.
The most common stressor is when it comes time to meet the parents (and the rest of the family.) I think I was more stressed for my boyfriend Dan to meet my family than to meet his (who were every bit as amazing as I had imagined.)
Now let’s be clear, I’m no dating expert. But below are a few tips to keeping stress levels low and how to dress for the different scenarios that may be headed your way soon.
How you dress says a lot about you as a person. Getting it right in regards to the situation that you will be in can be tough. The most important thing to keep in mind is, be yourself, and wear only what you’re comfortable in.
Don’t feel like you need to change your style or personality to fit a mold you feel his or her family expects you to fit within.
Where you’re meeting: At their house, for dinner
What you need to wear: Here’s your chance to jazz things up a bit.
Make more of an effort than you would do with a general meet-up and show that you have thought about what you are wearing to suit the evening.
If you were inviting somebody over to your house and had prepared a dinner for them, you wouldn’t want them turning up in something that they had been wearing all day without a thought for changing – so don’t do the same when meeting the parents.
Where you’re meeting: Coffee House
What you need to wear: Keep it casual and on-trend. Maybe consider a sweater dress with boots, a nice top and jeans to lean towards something more classic or a cardigan and dress combo.
Although you want to make a good first impression, you don’t want to look as if you have specifically dressed up for the occasion; they’ll expect it from you every time, otherwise.
Dress in what is comfortable for you and what is right for your surroundings – you wouldn’t go for coffee in your fanciest dress, right? Maybe you would. Either way, go with what you think is right.
Where you’re meeting: At a formal event
What you need to wear: Go all out (within reason.) Show them how you can really shine when put up to the challenge.
Concentrate on the little details, nails, hair, and makeup, and go for something to wear that will show off your sense of style beautifully.
Accentuate your favorite features and take some pride in your appearance; your confidence will naturally shine out of you if you feel good about yourself.
It can also be a great opportunity for showing how well-suited you and your partner are in terms of style, as there are so many different ways of styling dresses with suits or other outfits so that you look like a, well, a couple.
But not just any couple – a power-couple, a couple that is meant to be, one that is meant to last and one that will show their parents that they have made an excellent choice in picking you as their beau.
There’s no way you can go wrong, just be sure to not overdo it when it comes to the drinks!
