Dressing to Meet Your Boyfriend’s Parents: The Complete Guide

• Avoid clothes that show a lot of skin, like shirts that reveal cleavage, expose your stomach, or have large open backs.
• Go for clothing that’s clean and free of wrinkles or holes. Fresh, ironed clothing is best!
• Opt for dressier outfits like button-up shirts or blouses instead of leisurely wear, like t-shirts or athletic clothes.

Choosing Respectful Clothes

Avoid clothes that shows a lot of skin. This includes shirts that reveal cleavage, expose your stomach, or have large open backs. Keep in mind the length of your dresses and skirts—it’s best to aim for above-the-knee or longer lengths to avoid being too revealing. Shorts aren’t the best option unless they come past your fingertips when you put your hands down at your side. Avoid showing any bra straps for a more modest and appropriate look. Be wary of wearing skirts or dresses that have high slits.

Consider covering up tattoos or body piercings. Unless you know that your boyfriend’s family won’t mind that you have tattoos or piercings, it’s best to keep them covered. Wear long sleeves to cover any tattoos on your arms, or take the jewelry out of visible piercings just for the gathering if possible. It’s helpful to let your boyfriend’s parents get to know you better before revealing tattoos and body piercings to avoid any immediate judgments. If your tattoos or piercings can’t be covered up, still opt for modest clothing, such as high necklines and long sleeves or pants, to show that you’re respectful.

Wear form-fitting clothing that isn’t too tight or too baggy. While it’s perfectly fine to wear clothing that’s tailored to your body, avoid garments that cling to your skin tightly. This includes super tight tank tops, bodycon dresses, or tight skinny jeans. Baggy clothing like pants that hang down below your waist or sweaters and shirts that are too big for your figure should be avoided as well. Choose clothing that is comfortable and that you can move around in easily.

Select clothing that’s clean and free of wrinkles or holes. To make a great first impression, select clothing that has been washed and smells fresh. Avoid wearing jeans that have holes or rips in them to put your best foot forward. Use an iron or wrinkle-remover spray to get rid of any wrinkles in your clothes before putting them on. Check your shirts, sweaters, and jackets for any holes as well in case they developed rips without you noticing.

Opt for dressier outfits instead of leisurely wear. Things that you might wear around the house or to workout in aren’t great options for making a first impression with your boyfriend’s parents. Instead of wearing T-shirts or athletic wear, pick out blouses or shirts with buttons, as well as nicer slacks or dresses. Avoid shirts with graphics on them, and instead opt for a shirt in a solid color or light pattern. Wear leggings only if they’re under a dress or skirt—not as pants.

Choose the more conservative option if you’re ever in doubt. If you have a couple outfit ideas in mind but aren’t sure which one would be best, opt for the more modest-looking one. This will ensure you’re feeling confident and looking presentable. For example, if you're choosing between a blouse with a slightly open back and a knit sweater to go with a pair of pants, the knit sweater would be the safer option.

Putting Together a Feminine Outfit

Select clothes based on the event and location. You’ll want to dress differently going to an outdoor midday cookout than you would to a dressy dinner at a restaurant. Ask your boyfriend about the details of the gathering, such as the time of day and location, so you’re sure to dress appropriately. For example, if you’re meeting them at a soccer game, you might wear jeans and a sweater, while a dress and flats would be perfect for a nice dinner.

Put on a sweater or blouse with nice jeans for an outdoor get-together. If you’ll be outdoors or just want to put together a casual, warm outfit, a sweater and jeans are a great option. In warmer weather, a short-sleeve blouse looks great too. Pick out a pair of fitted jeans without holes or rips, and wear them with a modest sweater or blouse in colors like blue, green, or orange. Finish off the look by wearing a pair of comfortable flats or low heels, depending on the occasion. For example, you might wear blue fitted jeans, a pastel green sweater, and black flats. Opt for jean capris and a short-sleeve white, yellow, or blue blouse in summer weather. Add a simple necklace or bracelet to the outfit to personalize the look.

Pair a casual dress with a jacket or sweater for a versatile outfit. Wear a T-shirt dress with a jean jacket over it for a casual meet-up with your boyfriend’s parents, or get dressier by pairing a sundress with a simple sweater. A dress is always a great option for meeting the parents, and adding a sweater or jacket over it adds an extra layer of modesty. Wear an A-line dress with a beige trench coat over it and low heels, or wear a striped T-shirt dress with an off-white sweater. Use shoes and accessories to dress up or down your outfit. For example, wear a statement necklace and low heels with your dress to dress it up, or opt for simple earrings and comfortable flats to dress it down.

Style a blouse with a matching skirt for a sophisticated look. Wear a neutral-colored blouse like off-white or light gray with a colorful skirt, or wear a blue or light purple blouse with a neutral-colored skirt. Finish off the look with a jacket that matches your outfit and a pair of comfortable flats. For example, wear a light blue blouse tucked into a high-waisted A-line skirt that comes just above the knee. Instead of flats, you might also wear booties with a low heel.

Wear a jumpsuit with a blazer for an elegant dinner out. If you want to appear stylish and chic, pick out a jumpsuit in a color like blue, black, or a pastel. If you choose a darker colored jumpsuit, pair it with a light colored jacket to give your outfit some contrast, while a blazer in navy or black would look great over a light green, gray, or purple jumpsuit. You might put on a cream colored jumpsuit with a blue blazer, or opt for a light pink jumpsuit with a gray or black blazer. Choose low heels or flats to complete the look. If you don't have a jumpsuit, layer your blazer over a T-shirt and pair it with some nice pants.

Dressing if You’re a Guy

Choose your outfit depending on the activity you’ll be participating in. Find out from your boyfriend what the occasion is where you’ll be meeting his parents, such as a family dinner or a casual sporting event. Take into account the time of day and location of the meetup so you have a better idea of what to wear. You might want to wear dressier pants to a dinner than you would to an outdoor picnic. Ask your boyfriend what he plans on wearing to give you an idea of what’s expected.

Layer a sweater over a solid-colored shirt for a casual look. Pick out a comfortable sweater with a little bit of color in it to show off your personality while also creating a respectable look. The sweater might be solid colored or patterned, easily paired with nice jeans or casual slacks. If you’re choosing a patterned sweater, opt for a pattern in more muted tones instead of bright, neon colors or graphics. Layer a plain white tee under the sweater if you don’t plan on taking the sweater off, or wear a simple henley shirt under the sweater for a more sophisticated version of a T-shirt.

Pair a button down shirt with a sports jacket for a dressier outfit. If you’ll be going out to dinner or just want to make a sharp first impression, pick out a solid-colored button down shirt in a color like blue or white. Put on a sports jacket overtop in a shade of navy, gray, or black to create a dressier look. You might also pick out a button-down shirt with a simple geometric pattern for a more unique look. For example, a light-blue button down with a navy geometric pattern would look great with a navy blue blazer.

Pick out a pair of slacks or chinos to complete any look. While it's not necessary to wear dress pants, picking out a pair of pants that are fitted and aren't too casual is always a good idea. Chinos are a popular option because they're super comfortable, but you could also wear khakis or corduroys instead. Save jeans for outdoor outings or super casual gatherings with your boyfriend's parents. Avoid choosing a pair of pants that are too tight or too baggy.

Opt for a dressier shoe instead of sneakers. Unless you’ll be participating in an activity that requires sneakers, it’s best to pick out a more formal pair of shoes that are still comfortable and laid-back. Examples of this might be a pair of Oxfords or simple loafers. These types of shoes pair well with almost any outfit. You might wear a pair of desert boots or boat shoes as alternative options. Avoid wearing flip flops or sandals unless the occasion calls for it.

Add one element to your outfit that shows off your style, if desired. If you’ve put on a plain button-down shirt and slacks and want your personality to show a little more in your outfit, pick out an accessory to go with your look. This could be a pair of colorful socks or a special watch—anything that you feel represents you. You might put on a rope bracelet or patterned belt.

Picking a Hair Style, Accessories, and Makeup

Style your hair neatly to take pride in your appearance. After you've showered and washed your hair, take time to dry and style it. You might simply brush through it so it's looking shiny and detangled, create curls to add some texture, or use hair gel to slick back your hair. Straighten your hair for a sleek look, or braid your hair to create an updo. Wear a headband that matches your outfit to keep your hair out of your face, if desired.

Wear natural-looking makeup to show off your natural features. Avoid wearing too much makeup when you're meeting his parents, as this can be distracting. Go for a more natural look by adding a couple swipes of mascara or lipgloss to enhance your features, if desired. Avoid wearing heavy eyeliner or lots of eyeshadow to present a more natural look. Choose lipgloss or lipstick in natural or muted tones like pale pink or berry.

Avoid gaudy jewelry so it doesn't cause distractions. While a simple necklace or pair of earrings is a great addition to your outfit, stay away from large statement pieces or wearing lots of different pieces of jewelry at once. Choose 1 or 2 small pieces that go with your outfit to show off your personality and style. For example, wear a simple gold watch or a pair of pearl earrings. A low-hanging necklace is a good option if you're wearing a solid-colored shirt or sweater.

Use perfume or cologne minimally. If you do choose to wear a scent, only apply 1 or 2 spritzes to avoid creating an overwhelming smell. Spray the perfume or cologne once on your shirt or on your wrist to add a hint of your desired scent to your outfit. Since you're not sure whether your boyfriend's parents are allergic to your cologne or perfume or not, it's best to either avoid wearing it all together or use it sparingly.