The sun is starting to shine, there are tiny buds on the trees, and you've got a date. Maybe they went for your "I'll fall for you if: you trip me" gag on Hinge and slammed that match button. Maybe your "haha, no way, I've been there" Instagram Story reply finally reeled one in. Maybe the ex-situationship you let languish once temps dipped hit you up with the heyyy wyd.

Either way, you've got a date - a first date, which is one of the highest-pressure fits to execute. On the journey to love (or lust!), what you wear can work in your favour more than any funny anecdote, compatible star sign, or disclosure that you have an older sister (and are therefore considered emotionally potty-trained) ever could. The right fit has power. It can say a lot: I take care of myself; I have good taste; I'm not a piece of shit; or I am a piece of shit but in a fun way, with great style. Women can judge these things off the barest morsel of information, off the type of sock you're wearing, and how tight your trousers are.

I know this because I am - famously - a woman. I also know this because I know a lot of women and I asked them. No two women have the same taste in men or fashion, unfortunately, so the responses were predictably varied. My friend Alice, a TV producer in her thirties, told me, "I don't really mind what men wear" as long as they're "freshly washed" and "smell nice." Meanwhile, Heidi, 26, texted that she "once left a date after 25 minutes because when he stood up I realised he was wearing skinny jeans." So: swings and roundabouts.

That's not to say there are no throughlines. There are. A lot of them. It doesn't matter whether you're a finance bro with a closet full of two-pieces, or you wear stolen-valour workwear to your part-time job at a themed café, there are some resounding noes and yeses across the board. The women-sanctioned icks stack up: Hannah, 31, isn't into overloading on the jewellery "like they've put on everything they own" or overdressing. "I'd like effort but not, like, a three-piece suit," she says. Victoria, who is 34 and in finance, says sports merch "is not a substitute for actual clothing. Do not wear to a first date." Writer Georgie, 23, hates to see "logos shouting from every surface." Jemima, 24, in PR, says, "Take the fucking Whoop band off."

To be clear, we're not saying bin the above items. If you're a sports merch fan who wears necklaces and Whoop bands, live your life, man! But maybe - just maybe - leave them on the shelf for a first date.

But not everything's a no. Women are happy to name plenty of things that make their eyes light up upon pub-entry. Things that make them text 👀👀👀 under the table to the groupchat, and eventually change your contact from "Canary Wharf Meatball Sub Guy" to your actual name in their phone. Georgie loves "if there's a working watch on the left wrist". (She clarifies, "in a practical way, not in a performative 'look at my watch collection' way.") Jessie, 32, is a "big fan of knitwear." The fit being nicely-tailored and fitted is a plus for Victoria, because "it tells me that he's thought about what he likes and puts some effort into thinking about small details."

Victoria also has "a lot of time for a man who can wear a sweater made of a natural fibre that looks like it's taken care of. You know, it says he's aware of a cold wool wash on a delicates cycle, and takes care of things." For Nathalie, 35, a shirt pushed up over the elbows is hot, because "hands and forearms are the sluttiest part of a man."

"Sure," we can hear you saying, "this is all good advice. I definitely respect women's opinions and won't be personally offended by this -" That last part is me speaking for you, hope you don't mind "- but, GQ, what the fuck do I wear?" Here it is: I polled my friends and a consensus was reached. For dinner or a drink at a wine bar, a natural-fibre knit jumper or a button-up shirt and a pair of tailored trousers (straight- or wide-cut), with a nice trainer or a loafer (with socks), came out on top. "Shout out to the slutty jumper, for real, for real," says Heidi, sagely. For a more casual date - see: coffees, pubs and walks - the winner was simplicity. A clean, well-fitted T-shirt (white got the most votes) and straight-leg jeans. "What I never understand is why more men don't simply go for the blue jeans, white tee combination," says Georgie. "If both fit him perfectly then ding-bloody-dong. It's the male equivalent of a little black dress: deceptively simple, but devastating if the fit is right." Io, 25, agrees. "The hottest thing in the whole wide world is when a man has a perfect pair of trousers and a white T-shirt."

This is the advice from the female collective. You don't have to take it as gospel (although I thought I heard you say earlier you respect women's opinions?), but if you're going to take one thing from it, it's this: put the effort in. "I hate when it feels like the woman has put in effort and looks hot and has spent lots of energy to be lovely and the man looks like he couldn't give a shit," Alice texted me. "Like he's too cool to put care into what he wears, which I think flags that he's a big loser."

Despite the eye-rolling this article is going to get and the inevitable onslaught of "Just wear whatever you want, bro" comments, we're all vain little creatures who want our dates to think we're hot. Expecting women to dress up, put on make-up and do their hair, and then not extending the same courtesy yourself is lazy. Wear whatever you want, but make sure it fits, is ironed and makes you feel great. And take the fucking Whoop band off.

Big style reads of the week

How Adam Baidawi and Sir Paul Smith built the "most authentic" award season event - with a suit to match

What you mean when you use "Chinese" as shorthand for "cheap"

5 shoe trends you're going to see everywhere in spring 2026