When dressing for a date, it might be helpful to think about how the fairer sex chooses their outfits. Women want to look nice not only for other people, but also to feel good about themselves. So when a woman sees a man putting no effort into his appearance, it’s easy to extrapolate that he just doesn’t care – about himself, or her, or both. Your date is going to read into anything you wear, so you might as well dress to impress.

To begin, remember to never over- or under-dress for a date. An extreme example would be wearing a tuxedo to a pizza parlor, but even an unnecessary tie or pair of cufflinks will make you look like you don’t know what you’re doing. At the same time, you don’t want to wear jeans and a t-shirt to a classy French restaurant. If you’re really confused about what to wear, walk by the restaurant before the date and see how most of the customers are dressed.

Next, pay attention to your colors! You can have the most stylish pants, shirt, and belt in human history, but if they clash with each other, the effect will be spoiled. Instead, choose colors that compliment each other, or stick to basics like black, navy blue, gray, and brown. In general, one bright color is probably enough for an outfit – anything else is an express train to clash city.

And of course, make sure you groom yourself before a date. Tame that hair and beard, take a pair of tweezers to those eyebrows, and take the entire package to the next level by applying a tasteful amount of cologne. Women love it when a guy smells good. I recommend Cool Water (by Davidoff) or AcQua Di Gio (by Armani).

Remember, first impressions really count, so put in the effort to make yourself look good!

First off, it’s helpful to shop with a specific occasion in mind. The same tie that you wore to your little sister’s graduation from kindergarten probably won’t fly on a first date. And if you’re going to a black tie gala, make sure you actually wear a black tie. On the other extreme, you can feel free to pick a tie that’s more comfortable and in line with your personality if the occasion is something more casual, like a friend’s party.

Second, you need to stay up to date on which tie styles are currently popular. Right now, long, skinny ties are back in vogue, but short, chunky ones are definitely out. Remember to bookmark fashion blogs like this one to read about trends as they evolve.

Now, tie colors and patterns are going to depend on what shirts and suits you hope to match them with. In most cases, dark-colored ties in shades of red, blue, and black are safe bets for almost any outfit.

Also, watch out for cartoonish, novelty ties. Those are no way to impress a boss, unless it’s Casual Friday, or he’s got an especially forgiving sense of humor.

Luckily, there are a couple of sure things when it comes to picking out presents for men – motorcycles, cars, and football. You don’t have to actually buy your guy a car, of course, but anything car-related will drive them crazy, be it an iPod charger or funky new lighting.

Still, if you want to go above and beyond in your gift-giving efforts, I’ve prepared a list of fashion gifts for the man in your life.

First up: the tie. This is a good auxiliary present – no man wants his primary gift to be a shiny new tie, but a stylish silk or satin option will really help him stand out at the office. Plus, with all the colors and styles available, it’s easy to choose a tie to compliment your man’s existing wardrobe.

If you’re looking for something fancier, consider designing a watch for your man. He’ll love the tech-factor, while also appreciating all the thought you put into his gift. There are several websites that allow you to customize your own watches, so you can create a plastic diver-style watch with glow-in-the-dark hands, a classier gold business watch, and everything in between!

And if you’re man’s a little quirky, I recommend a pair of cufflinks. These don’t have to be your standard gold or silver designs – the internet is full of cool options, like cufflinks with four leaf clovers, pool balls, Scrabble tiles, and more. You can even customize your cufflinks to include initials or logos.

Doesn’t that sound better than a football jersey?