Life is busier, time seems to flow faster, and we’re living in a world where we can no longer depend upon our parents to provide us with a list of worthy suitors. Longer working hours and new technologies are causing us to interact less and less with those around us. It seems that finding love involves even more obstacles than it used to and the whole process is getting slower, with Cupid stuck clearing jelly on level 50 of Candy Crush. Luckily there are a handful of methods you can try to give romance a helping hand, and a great one is speed dating!

If you’re contemplating giving this game of grown-up musical chairs a go make sure you don’t underestimate the importance of your outfit. It’s a good idea to wear something you’re comfortable in (but no, turning up in your onesie is not acceptable) as this is bound to bump up your confidence levels, which will help the conversation to flow more easily.

The safest option is to go for something smart-casual. This limits the possibility of looking overdressed and equally saves you from appearing uninterested from the onset. We’ve picked out a collection of garments to make up your outfit and each can be easily mixed and matched. A t-shirt can be dressed up with a smart jacket or chinos, and a polo shirt can be matched with a more casual pair of jeans.

A jacket is a must as it adds a sharp but relaxed tone to ensure you’re not seen as trying too hard or appearing shabby. Getting hot under the collar? Pop it on the back of your chair and you’ll be the ultimate picture of comfort and ease!

Every man owns a staple pair of dark denim jeans and they are perfect for speed dating; comfortable and easy to match with a range of garments they provide an excellent base for a smart-casual outfit. If you’re after a more sophisticated look, chinos are a great alternative.

It’s good to avoid the trainer look at speed dating as you want to impress your dates rather than have them putting you down as sloppy. Suede shoes or plimsolls add a casual informality without making you look like you’ve got lost on your way to the gym.


Accessories are important to consider as they help to accentuate your personality and add character. You’ll want to keep them relatively muted as you don’t want to appear brash, however subtle splashes of colour are a great way to ensure that you stand out from the rest!

Speed dating is a fun and simple solution to meeting people and the clothes you wear should complement you, not speak for you. Feeling comfortable in your outfit will make the whole experience easier and more enjoyable. You only have a few minutes to impress so most importantly make sure you are memorable, but for the right reasons! Take a deep breath, smile and relax. Now go brush your teeth because no one rates bad breath. Good luck!

Written by Jo Stefanicki, uploaded by Sophie :)