Wearing Red (Or Black) On A First Date Is A No-Go, Says Matchmaker
These are the (surprising) colours that work...
Dating in 2025 is like navigating a minefield. There are unspoken rules and conditions in play that can make or break your performance on the first date, including what you choose to wear. Colour, as it turns out, has a very important role in deciding how the first impression plays out, according to matchmaker Maria Avgitidis.
CEO of the New York City-based matchmaking service Agape Match and host of dating and relationship podcast Ask A Matchmaker, Maria claims that she’s been teaching this tried-and-true theory since 2012. For women, she says, the colour green on a first date is a compliment magnet.
In an essay for the Daily Mail, the matchmaker writes, “At first it was just a year-long personal experiment when I was still a single woman. Around this time, I started to notice that any time I wore green, I would get compliments from anyone: men, women, anyone.”
According to colour theory, green invokes feelings of calmness and optimism. It’s also known to be vibrant, welcoming and associated with positivity across cultures.
“It doesn't hurt that green is also a universally flattering colour,” she says, “So play around with the shades and find the hue that really makes you feel your best.” She also suggests that blues and yellows are also viable options if you’re not in the mood for green.
Men, according to Maria, cannot go wrong with the colour lilac on a first date. The light purple hue, she says, gives off a charmingly friendly vibe and makes women feel like the man is approachable and safe.
It’s also a colour that encourages emotional expression, so that’s great for anyone who is looking for a serious relationship.
While black and red are most commonly associated with colours that exude feelings of sophistication and passion, Maria relegates them to the second (or third) date as it could be a “missed opportunity to spark a positive feeling from someone you’re just meeting”.
The colour you wear can play a huge role in affecting the mood of the wearer and the person they’re meeting. A 2012 study discovered that clothing can alter a wearer’s psychological state and improve performance. So Maria’s theory of wearing a bright and upbeat shade like green or lilac could hold merit.
“Ultimately, dating colour theory isn’t just about catching the eye of someone special, it’s also intended to help you walk through the world with your own internal confidence,” says Maria, “Your posture improves, your smile is brighter, you flirt with abandon, you become the very best version of yourself.”
As the expert says, you do you!