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Call us old fashioned but the first date is crucial and can set the tone for the potential future of the relationship. Whether it's a blind date, a set-up or you have a history with this person, it's important to acknowledge that the first date could be a start of something new. Check out our tips to help you feel and look your best on your first date!

Last summer while I was doing some work in Paris and attending a few fashion shows I met an inspiring woman, a force in the fashion industry. We had a wonderful connection as we were discussing our lives and careers and discovered that our mission is the same - to help women feel confident and empowered through style. She told me to check out a documentary called "Miss Representation" that shows how the media, controlled by men, sets the standards of what is sexy. This standard has a tendency to cause young girls and grown women to believe that if you are not hot as the standard dictates 'hot', then you're not interesting or desirable. She also brought up the fact that a few of her friends and clients (some of them post50) are finding themselves single and having to compete with younger women.

I have always believed and said that "Goodness is glamorous and healthy is hot", and that "the party is never over, no matter what age you are". Girl power stuff is great, but you're probably being realistic and asking yourself: "Now what party am I going to? And what the hell am I going to wear?"

Newsflash: It's not a short, stretchy dress - letting it all hang out. A client once said to me that once you're in your 50's, a game change happens and things that used to work for you don't work anymore. To feel desirable and sexy, you shouldn't look like you're trying too hard. Yes, most men are attracted to the obvious, so I'm not telling you to belt a burka and run out the door. Let's discuss where you are going before I give you tips and inspiration on what to wear. Think of your looks as flattering uniforms that are assigned for different occasions.

TIPS

Isabel Toledo once said that shoes are a woman's pedestal. A shoe can make or break a look, so it's a good idea to build your looks starting with a comfortable, modern and sexy shoe. And it doesn't have to be a 5-inch stand-and-pose stiletto.

Here are some ideas for your date looks. The gorgeous model shown from our latest book "Work It!" is our fabulous friend from Chicago, Lynn McMahan. Lynn is known as the "Green Glamazon" because of her work as a 'green' developer.

Daytime Date / Coffee Date / Museum Look: Wear a knit and a coat and go for a warm flattering color to create a soft tonal look. Add a pair of well-fitted jeans, a heel bootie and a bag and you're ready to go!

Photo Credit: "Work It!"

Movie Date / Casual Dinner: Go for a comfortable dress (so that you can sit through the movie!) that shows the waist and looks sexy without trying too hard. Keep the look clean and follow the rule of one embellished piece: in this case, the accent is on the boots. Add a denim jacket or a VT Luxe Convertible Loop and a shoulder bag.

Photo Credit: "Work it!" & VT Luxe for QVC

Dinner Date Look: Every person has a shade of blue that looks flattering on you (for more info on how to pick your perfect palette see our book "Life in Color"), so you can't go wrong with a beautiful blue ladylike dress. Here, we paired it with metallic platform heels for a modernist look. Throw on our VT Luxe Soft Flutter Wrap or a Denim & Co. Suede Jean Style Jacket to stay warm.

Photo Credit: "Work It!", VT Luxe for QVC, Denim & Co.

There's a genius brand on QVC - Women with Control, and their motto is wiggle, no more jiggle. Check it out if you need a little more support and a shaping effect from your clothes.

MAKEUP

Skin is in. The more natural and fresh you look, the better for a day date. Keep the palette soft and warm, and the lines clean. For a dinner date, choose to emphasize either the eyes (see Lynn's makeup) or the lip, but not both at once.

 

Photo Credit: "Life in Color"

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Run, don't walk to your underwear drawer and get rid of your grannies and anything tired looking! It's always good to refit your bras by an expert and sex them up a little from time to time. Each one of our clients doesn't start her look without modern shapewear - it guarantees smooth clean lines and is the finishing touch to "feelin' it" on your date! 

Now that you're inspired and putting together the best version of yourself, remember to have fun!  The more comfortable and confident you feel, the better the date will go.

 - Jesse & Joe