Charly Lester

First dates can be a nerve-wracking experience, and often one of the biggest things people worry about is what to wear. Together with fashion shopping platform Lyst we’ve put together some tips to make choosing your first date outfit a little bit simpler. 1)   Be yourself Your clothes speak before you do, and you’ll be surprised how much people read into your outfit. Make sure the first impression you present is a true one. Yes, you should look like you’ve made an effort, but don’t let that disguise who you really are. If you’re a die-hard denim fan, make sure you’re in your very best jeans. If you only wear black, buy a lint roller. Don’t worry about following the latest trends, if you don’t like it or it doesn’t suit you. 2)   Be comfortable You need to be comfortable, and wearing styles that you already feel at home in will put you at ease. If you don’t regularly wear high heels, opt for your trainers instead. Likewise, if you wouldn’t normally wear a suit, don’t force yourself into one for the sake of it. Fidgeting and grimaces of pain aren’t overly attractive looks! 3)   Be bold Don’t be afraid to wear a bright colour, or a bold pattern, provided they are items of clothing you’re comfortable wearing. The splash of colour will make you appear confident, even if you’re not feeling it inside. In a world where people often go on several first dates a week, what you’re wearing will also help you stand out amongst the crowd.  4)   Be creative If you do want to splash out on so

Even the most confident of people can get jitters when it comes to a first date. But the more relaxed you are, the more approachable you appear. So how can you calm some of those first date nerves?  1) Case the joint If you’re feeling particularly nervous, why not have a dry run? Visit the bar or restaurant with a friend before the date. Check out the menu, work out where you’d like to sit, and sort out the basics, like where the bathrooms are. They may all sound like trivial concerns, but if you’re prone to worrying, then it’s fewer things to fret over on the date itself. 2) Phone a friend Or better still, meet up with one beforehand. Meeting a friend for a quick drink before the date will relax you, and a good friend’s company will bring out the best version of you. If you’re worrying about something in particular, talk it through. Nine times out of ten it will feel like a much smaller deal once you’ve said it out loud. 3) Remember your date is just as nervous as you are No matter how confident they may seem, everyone gets first date nerves. So if you do something silly, or say something you didn’t mean to, just laugh it off. Any date worth his or her salt will understand. And if they don’t? Well then they’re not for you! 4) Make it fun Remove the traditional trappings of a ‘date’, by choosing a fun activity instead. One of the great things about dating is that it allows you to act like a tourist in your own city, so make the most of the opportunity. Be a big kid at the Sci

Writing an online dating profile should be simple – all you’re doing is writing about yourself.  But there’s a reason we don’t all work in marketing and self-marketing is particularly tough when your love life is on the line.   So how can you make sure your dating profile attracts the right people? 1) Do put some thought into your photo – it’s the most important part Yes, yes, I know we’re all bored of Tinder, and it’s fashionable to write it off as superficial, but in reality most of us actually need to be physically attracted to a match. Thumbnails are vital, so think carefully about the photos you choose. What do they say about you? Have you included full-length shots as well as close-ups?  Profile tip: Avoid the frustrating clichés: sunglasses, babies, drugged-up tigers, cock shots, trout pouts, and group images where no one can tell who you are.    2) Do be honest Not just with other people, but also with yourself. Unlike Facebook, on an online dating site, you’re chatting to strangers. Which means it’s not the place for overly flattering photos, or pretending to be someone you’re not.   Profile tip: An incredible dating profile might get loads of first dates, but if it’s unrealistic, it won’t lead to many second dates.   3) Do look at other profiles Most sites allow you to easily alter your search criteria, so why not check out the competition? If you don’t know what to write, see what other people are doing, and think about how you react when you read it. Most of us ar

We’re after daters for our Date Night feature – be you gay, straight, bi, trans, young, old or even a sexually experimental unicorn*. Every week, two lucky Londoners get to have a night or day out - and it's on us! Interested? Send us a couple of recent photos, and a short bio to dating@timeout.com. Make sure you include your height, age, profession, interests, and details of your ideal match. * We’re not actually after unicorns. They’re too damned horny.

July may be the month of Independence but if you’re getting bored of your single status, look no further. Our resident dating expert Charly Lester has put together a calendar of the most original singles events this month. Tuesday July 7 Shhh Dating – Silent Speed Dating Forty of London’s gorgeous unattached gather for silent flirting games, eye gazing, and no talking. Sounds… quiet! Jam Tree, Chelsea, 7pm. From £17.50. Monday July 13 Match.com – Love is Blind Dating website Match.com has teamed up with the Royal London Society for the Blind as part of the month-long ‘London Without Limits’ festival to highlight the realities of living with blindness. Wearing blindfolds, ten Match members will team up with partially-sighted and blind singles, and learn salsa together. Minster Exchange, 7pm. From £12. Tuesday July 14 Original Dating – Stereo Speed Dating If the way to your heart is with a mix-tape, this could be the perfect night for you. Spend four minutes discussing the music you love, and if the conversation dries up, you can always reach for your iPod. Nordic, Oxford Circus, 7pm. £21.  Friday July 17 28 Gays Later – Speed Dating Not only is it the best name for a singles event ever, but 28 Gays Later also does exactly what it says on the tin. Meet 27 other gay men, in a format which means you don’t just meet half the room. Attendees will receive messages before they leave the event, and everyone gets a goody bag. The Mercer, 7pm. £25.    Friday July 17 PlayDate London – P