4 Ways to Be a Dynamite First Date

"For the time invested in selecting that perfect outfit for a first date, emotion plays a larger role in attraction. That includes behaving in ways that elicit positive emotion in a potential partner, making them feel good about themselves. With that in mind, the first way to be a dynamite first date is to dress for success but endear with emotion."

"They found that although attire consistently created inferences about status, dominance, and affiliation across contexts and genders, it was expressed emotion that had a greater impact on participant judgments. Hareli et al. suggest that when emotional information is available, it is more heavily weighted than stereotypical associations with gender or formal dress, because, unlike attire, emotions provide a glimpse into someone's momentary state of mind."

Attire functions as a status signal that reliably shapes inferences about status, dominance, and affiliation, but expressed emotion exerts a stronger influence on judgments when emotional cues are present. Emotional expressions reveal momentary states of mind and override stereotypical associations with gender or formal dress. For first dates, dressing well matters, yet eliciting positive emotion in a partner—making them feel appreciated and good about themselves—has greater impact. Personalized, authentic compliments in areas of sustained personal value are particularly memorable and valuable. Alluring traits include genuine admiration, attentive listening, and focused attention, which together increase emotional attractiveness.

Read at Psychology Today