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.

Now, I’m a female, but there are plenty of options out there for men that allot for both warmth and fashion. You don’t have to be Fred Astaire – even something simple like a nice pair of gloves or scarf can change a dumpy outfit into something sexy. Then again, for some men even that is asking too much. Read on for some the opposite sex’s worst winter fashion transgressions.

First off: bulky ski gloves. It’s right in the name – these gloves are made for skiing, not going to the movies or anything else. On any outing that does not involve winter sports, a man should wear a nice pair of leather gloves instead. Make this change, and you’ll gain at least 10 fashion points, no questions asked.

Next we have an assortment of ugly winter hats – pretty much anything with logos, patterns, or (gasp) pom poms. To avoid a one-way ticket to frumpy-town, men should invest in a simple, solid-colored cashmere hat, which will allow them to look warm and cool.

Finally, we come to the worst offender: the puffy “Pillsbury Doughboy” jacket. Unless you’re literally teaching families to make warm croissants, there is no excuse for such attire. Puffy jackets don’t look good on anyone, but they tend to appear particularly ridiculous on big, strong men. They might make you feel warm and cuddly inside, but the external effect is, as advertised, puffiness – wear one of these, and people will assume you had too much apple pie over the holidays.

Alternative to such heresy, men should invest in a stylish overcoat, which looks especially nice over a suit and is a great choice for meetings, parties, and vacations alike. I recommend a single-breasted jacket from Ralph Lauren or Hugo Boss. Invest in a good jacket, and you’ll instantly feel more mature – the ladies might notice too.

Trends in men’s fashion come and go, but there is a selection of timeless essentials that should be a part of every man’s wardrobe.  These essential garments create the perfect look for work and play, but most importantly, never go out of style.

Essential Components of a Man’s Wardrobe

• The suit. Every man should own a black or blue suit.   Nothing fancy, just a perfectly tailored two-piece garment that can be worn for a job interview or a night on the town.
• Khaki pants. The essential pair of pants, khakis are another one of those timeless wardrobe basics that can be worn to the office or out relaxing with the guys on the weekend.
• A polo shirt. A solid color polo shirt (or two) looks fantastic with jeans or khakis and can even be worn under a blazer on casual Friday at the office.
• A V-neck sweater. When the weather turns chilly, every man will want to have a comfortable v-neck sweater in his wardrobe.   Be sure to pick a neutral color, or get a little adventurous and go with a pink or other bright color.
• Dress socks. When you slip on your best pair of shoes, your feet need protection.   Make sure to have plenty of black, blue and brown socks on hand.
• Dress slacks. If the situation doesn’t call for a full-on formal suit you can still look sharp with a pair of black or blue pinstriped dress pants.   Wear with a tie and Oxford shirt for the perfect fashion look.
• Oxford shirt. A white button-down Oxford shirt is a staple in every man’s wardrobe.  These shirts go with just about everything, and look really great when custom tailored.   A custom tailored Oxford may cost a little more, but the look is well worth it.

This is jus beginning of an outstanding wardrobe.   Once you have the men’s fashion essentials in your wardrobe, branch out into more exciting looks and colors.