There are few things more paralyzing than when a girl you really care about asks you to meet her parents. Any confidence you had immediately drains out of you, making you feel like a nervous middle school kid again. But never fear. We’ve been through this a few times and have a few tips for what to do and, more importantly, how to dress to impress.
You have three routes to choose. The first is a classy button down dress shirt. Your second option is a nice sweater. Lastly, do both and layer appropriately if the weather calls for it. What ultimately matters is that you don’t look sloppy. If her parents think you can’t take care of yourself, they’ll never believe you can take care of her. Putting in the extra effort to make a good first impression goes a long way.
Button downs are the classic choice for a meeting with the parents, and for good reason. They work for all seasons, are designated as “business casual,” and look classy. It makes the first meeting feel more like an interview - which might be a good thing for you. Your girlfriend is hoping her parents will approve of you, so when you show up looking interview-ready, it shows that you are taking this meeting seriously and are ready to impress. Choose a plaid dress shirt for men - but stay away from flannel as this can look a little casual. Make sure your dress shirt is ironed and clean.
We’re sorry for the rhyme, but, it was pretty good right? No? Okay - let’s talk sweaters. There are good sweaters and bad sweaters. A Carlton-esque argyle sweater vest might be a little outdated and good to steer clear of. A modern sweater that is fitted and unique without being too bold is the angle you will probably want to take. For a Christmas dinner, you can’t go wrong with this shawl collar jacquard striped sweater that almost looks like a Christmas sweater without being covered in reindeer and pine trees.
If you want to really impress and send ultimate nice-guy vibes, layer a sweater over a cool dress shirt. If you are wearing a patterned dress shirt, choose a plain urban sweater like this one that won’t clash. If you’re opting for a plain button up, choose a sweater with a little more flair, like our Terrence crew neck sweater. Make sure your collar is outside of the sweater, and tuck in your dress shirt if it hangs more than an inch or two below the sweater. The general rule of thumb is you shouldn’t be able to see any of the bottom buttons of the button down.
At A. Tiziano, we make the best quality clothes for men in the urban streetwear fashion style. Our luxury streetwear is designed for men of superior taste and fashion. When you rep our rabbit logo, you can rest easy knowing that whatever you’re wearing, it will impress even the stiffest parents. Shop our entire collection today.