Men can often get away with a basic pair of jeans and button-down shirt on a first date, but women have dozens of options to choose from. On any first date, you want to make a strong impression that says you’re a smart and attractive person. Instead of grabbing that low-cut blouse and short skirt, consider a few alternatives that will still make a startling impression on your potential mate.

The Professional Approach

Women often balance a demure and sexy look with one outfit. To achieve this contrast, try a professional outfit. Match a simple pencil skirt with a tucked-in blouse. Add a pair of colorful heels, and you’re ready to impress. Your first date has some mystery to it while you show off your best physical attributes.

Mix Casual With Professional

A clever way to remain attractive and comfortable at the same time is by mixing casual and professional clothing items. Wear a formal or business-like blouse, but slip on a pair of comfortable jeans. Dress up the look with earrings, bracelets or necklaces too. You can also add heels or flats to this outfit, depending on your personal desires. Throw a blazer on for those cool nights, and you have a perfect first-date outfit.

Carve Out Your Figure

Showing a lot of skin on your first date is usually taboo, but you want to show off your girlish figure. To remain modest and sexy simultaneously, wear formfitting jeans, a blouse and high-heeled boots. Most of your skin is covered, but the clothes conform to your body. Your date has a memorable impression of you, and hopefully they’ll want a second date as a result.

The Reliable Black Dress

If you’re not sure which outfit to pick, the simple black dress is always a good choice. Black is a slimming color so that you feel confident in your skin. These dresses also come in a variety of different styles and lengths. Consider the date’s activities and choose a dress based on those parameters.

Keep it Flirty

If it’s spring or summer, you can also wear other dresses that are more colorful. Try red, pastels or white dresses for either lunch or dinner dates. A dress shows off your femininity, and gives you a chance to accessorize. Wear pantyhose, bracelets or other accessory to round out the outfit too. You might wear an item that sparks conversation, such as a charm bracelet.

The Alternative Date

Some dates don’t occur at a restaurant. You might be venturing out to the state fair or walking along the beach. In these cases, you need to dress for the occasion. Wear a pair of relaxed shorts, flowing blouse and comfortable flats for a walk at the boardwalk, for example. You can still look spectacular without dressing too formally for the occasion.

Always take the weather into consideration when your date is approaching. If snow showers are predicted, shelf those cute flats. Your outfit choice also needs to be smart so that your date knows that you dress for the occasion. With the right outfit shoring up your self-confidence, a second date might be a possibility.