Many women consider meeting their significant other’s parents an important milestone in their relationship. But preparing for this first meeting can be nerve-wracking because you aren’t certain what his parents will think of you. If you want to make a good impression, figuring out the best outfit to wear when meeting his parents is crucial.

Fashion and self-expression often go hand in hand, so it’s not surprising that what you wear will affect people’s opinions of you. Do your clothes look neat and well-fitted, or were they put on without much consideration for how prints and colors complement each other? Does your outfit present you in the best way possible? Your appearance will be the first thing that others notice about you, so it’s worth putting some thought and effort into how you look when meeting them. 

While you may want to wear something that expresses your personal style, consider choosing clothes that suit the occasion and help you feel comfortable and confident in front of your significant other’s family. To help you pick the best outfit, here are some style tips you can follow:

Lean Towards Conservative Options

Since you’ll be meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time, it’s a good idea to choose a conservative outfit. His parents might not be impressed by trendy pieces and feel uncomfortable about seeing a lot of exposed skin. That said, it may be best to leave out crop tops, open-back tops, and distressed denim from your outfit choices.  

However, you can still let your personality shine by making a few adjustments to your wardrobe. For example, if you like wearing skirts and dresses, consider wearing opaque tights underneath skirts with a shorter hemline. Alternatively, you can wear a maxi skirt with a simple top. The long skirt has a more conservative length, as these styles often end below the calf and above the ankle. These options offer a modest appearance while showing your preference for feminine styles.

Choose Weather-Appropriate Pieces

Remember to factor in the weather and choose an outfit accordingly. It can be hard to impress someone if you’re sweating a lot or feeling chilly because you picked the wrong outfit. People will notice when you’re uncomfortable and may even mistake your discomfort as a reaction to their company. With that, it’s a good idea to dress in layers you can quickly add or remove, like a cardigan or a denim jacket. Adding some light outerwear can also make your dress or shirt and jeans combo look more chic and presentable.

Consider the Venue

Another factor worth considering is where you’ll be meeting your significant other’s parents. It can help determine how casually or formally you should dress. If it’s a casual dining spot, your clothes should reflect the relaxed ambiance rather than appear too dressy. On the other hand, dressing too casually in a formal setting may give the impression that you are unwilling to put forth any effort to make a good impression. With that, look up the venue and see if they have a dress code or wear something that’s stylish and can be dressed up or down for either scenario, like a monochromatic outfit. 

A monochromatic outfit is composed of pieces in varying shades of the same color. It offers a seamless look that’s simple and polished. This style of dressing is also very easy to put together. Regardless of the time of day you’ll be meeting his parents, neutral colors like white, gray, nude, or black are great choices when creating a monochromatic look.

Dress According to the Occasion

Aside from the venue, you also need to consider the occasion on which the meeting will take place. This allows you to prepare an appropriate outfit. If it’s a casual event like brunch in a restaurant or a backyard party in the family home, you can wear a comfy casual outfit such as jeans and sneakers. Just make sure your sneakers are clean, and choose straight-leg jeans over baggy ones. These details in your outfit ensure you appear presentable and interested in making a good impression.

If you’re meeting his parents at a formal event like a wedding anniversary celebration, you may need to dress up more. This is also true if you’ll be meeting them at a fancy restaurant. You can wear tailored black pants and a simple blouse. You may also want to bring a nice formal jacket or blazer in case you get a bit cold and need more coverage. Another outfit option is a black A-line dress. This garment is fitted at the waist and flares out from the hips up to the hem, so it creates a very flattering figure without looking too sexy.

What you wear when meeting your significant other’s parents is important. You want to make a good impression because these are people he cares about. So, be sure to create a put-together and appropriate look with the help of these style tips. If you feel nervous about the meeting, dressing in a way that makes you comfortable and confident will help you look your best.