Of all the things that can make or break a first date, your footwear is one of the earliest to come into play. Get it right, and you’ll make a great impression from the off. Get it wrong, and it’s back to eating microwave meals in front of Netflix again for the foreseeable future.

Let’s face it, that hallowed second date probably isn’t going to present itself if you rock up to a high-end restaurant in a pair of gym trainers, is it? What this proves, in case you needed it pointing out, is that each different dating scenario brings with it its own unique set of style requirements. In short: you’ll need to match your shoes to your setting.

Paul Evans is a brand that has carved out a niche for itself, delivering luxury footwear direct to the consumer, allowing you to look the part while sidestepping exorbitant retail markups.

Wherever your first date takes you, Paul Evans has all bases covered – in the finest Italian calfskin, of course. Here are the best shoes to wear for some of the most common first date situations.

A Trip To The Cinema: The Chukka Boot

With the exception of movie premieres, watching a film tends to be a fairly laid-back affair. However, that isn’t carte blanche to rock up at the movie theatre wearing socks and sliders. You’re still going to have to make an effort, especially if you plan on grabbing a drink after.

Paul Evans’ Newman Chukka Boot in oxblood is a surefire winner. Constructed from full-grain, Italian calfskin with a rich, hand-painted upper, they can be easily dressed up or down. Wear with dark denim and an Oxford shirt for a faultless smart casual look, then throw them under a suit for date number two. Which, by the way, you’ve almost certainly secured at this point.

Newman Chukka Boot

A Night At The Bar: The Chelsea Boot

Few things kill the vibe on a date quite as effectively as being denied entry to a swanky cocktail bar, all because you thought your battered old plimsolls could pass for ‘smart casual’. They can’t. The bouncer knows it, your date knows it, and now you’re starting to realise it, too. Save yourself the embarrassment and eliminate the risk factor by opting for what is arguably the ultimate in smart casual footwear: the Chelsea boot.