“First date” - two simple words that can send shivers up anyone’s spine, much like the words “job interview.” When you think about it, there isn’t much of a difference between the two, except one involves cocktails and palpable sexual tension. I have no idea where that old adage “You are what you eat” came from, because the truth is, “You are what you wear.” Clothes speak volumes and no matter what, they will always prompt judgments from others. Chances are, the person you’re into isn’t going to notice how perfectly your bangles play into the boho-chic vibe you were going for, or how you expertly coordinated your makeup shades to play up the metallic sheen outlining your top. Guys don’t notice the details, but they do see the overall big picture. Here are some general tips to follow before any date, after the jump…

So, it’s Friday night and the cute guy you met at a party last weekend asked you out on a date—you really like him and really want to overcome all the first date barriers to score an ever so elusive second date. Well there are lots of precautions to take to get there, but I will help you out with the first, which is perhaps the most important. You guessed it: Wardrobe Choice! Since this is a first date, let’s consider a standard scenario: dinner at a restaurant whose ambiance falls somewhere in between local bar and 5-star hot spot, followed by a movie. The combo-date will give us a lot of leeway to examine several possibilities. Let’s look to Cameron Diaz for inspiration. You could wear that killer dress that never fails to get heads turning. In this situation, however, a dress can potentially make you seem high-maintenance; while some guys do find high-maintenance gals appealing, it’s a slippery slope, and a risk simply not worth taking on a first date