First date in 10 years please help!

[2anddone]

I have my first date in 10 years next week.

I met him OLD and we are meeting for a coffee.

I don't want to be too dressed up but want to look like I have made an effort! However, I don't have an infinite budget (single mum to 2 teens)

I wear a uniform to work and live in jeans and hoodies at the weekend but do have some dresses. I am 46 5'4" and slightly overweight but not massively (stomach and legs are my biggest areas I would quite like to hide!) I honestly do t know what would look good on me!!

I want this to go well please give me some ideas!!

Wear whah makes YOU feel comfortable and confident. There’s no point people telling you to slap on some heels and a dress if that isn’t your thing or doesn’t make you feel good.

casual/gym wear like a hoodie and leggings styled with an over sized coat is in and would be perfectly acceptable for a casual coffee date.

However if you want something a little more why don’t you go for jeans and a nice jumper.

as long as you aren’t turning up in your pjs your date isn’t going to be judging you and if they do, they aren’t the right person for you!

the most important thing is to be authentically yourself in what you wear and personality wise. Good luck!

One of your dresses with boots and a wool coat for outdoors.

From a dating perspective rather than a style and beauty one, don’t put too much pressure on this date to go well! A first meeting is usually just a quick drink, literally just to suss out whether you even want to go on a date, make sure he hasn’t got any off putting traits and is who he says he is etc.

Keep it casual, have an end time in mind in case it doesn’t go amazingly - if you have a dog to be home for that helps! Or don’t be afraid to say “well this has been lovely, thanks for the drink, I’d better get going”.

I’m not a S&B aficionado but I’ve been on lots of first dates and I’d say just wear something comfortable so you don’t spend any time worrying about eg skirts riding up, or straps showing etc. Good jeans, flat shoes (he’ll be shorter than he said he is!) and some layers so you’re not too hot/cold.

If he’s like most men he’s not going to notice what you’re wearing, but he’ll notice your confidence and smile, so as long as you feel good you’ll be fine! You can always dress up a bit for the next one when he takes you out for dinner somewhere.

If your style is jeans and hoodie, and you want to go up a notch; then best jeans (not ripped, not too faded or tatty looking) and then either your lucky hoody on your top half, or something just as comfy for you but slightly less casual such as jumper and scarf (especially if you have the knack of twisting one well)

Thanks everyone it's been really helpful to hear that dressing as myself is the right thing to do!

Definitely just be you! You don’t want to have to invest in a whole new wardrobe for dates 2,3 and 4 if it’s a success. And you want to show him who you are.
Wear your favourite version of what you’d usually wear for coffee - whatever you would wear if you were meeting your best mate. Have fun!!