What Do You Wear When You Meet Your Boyfriend’s Sister For The First Time?

Colour is good, heels are not Photographs by Laura Coulson

Published on27th August 2014 at 5.43pm

Let's be honest, your boy/girlfriend's mum and dad really aren't going to care what you wear. They're going to care if you arrive with a dinky little novelty bubble bath set when you come to stay for the first time, say thank you after they've served the lasagne and generally don't treat their offspring like shit. They're not, however, going to care if you're jumper is current season Topshop, or not.

Now his sister, she may not care what season your jumper is, but she's gonna do a quick scan up and down. It's basically law for the siblings to scrutinise you way more intensely than your friends, parents, bosses, animals. The job of the brother is to assess how much fun you are (do you appreciate random, vulgar trivia? Then you've passed) and the job of the sister is to appraise your bounty. If you turn up wearing the same boots, that's even bloody better.

So here's how to nail it without looking like you've tried too hard. Because nothing's worse than that.

Meeting her in the park?

Maybe you're off to a festival, or a beer garden, or just a patch of grass. But you want to be comfy. You want to be able to sit with your legs crossed and not go all Basic Instinct on her ass within five minutes of meeting her. You never know where the 'grass meet' could segue to, so wear something jazzy amidst the practicool staples, just so you're prepared. Try long shorts if cycling shorts are your sartorial idea of Hades.

Denim Jacket, ASOS, Sequin Top, H&M, Cycling Shorts, Urban Outfitters and Trainers, model's own

Meeting her on a sofa?

It's the most low-key meet ever: a cup of tea on her sofa. Go cosy – which means friendly and easy, rather than soft. You can't go wrong with Converse and a fluffy jumper. Ever. Halt the normcore and go with some white boyfriend jeans, instead of indigo skinnies. Great all year round.

Jumper and White Jeans, Topshop and High Tops, Converse

Meeting her in a club?

Summer's not gone yet. Cling on to it with a crochet dress – or a similarly fun, patterned dress – and slip-on slides. NAAAT HEELS if you can help it. Add some frippery (the fluffy bag) to show your spontaneous GSOH. Plus, this outfit is so easy and comfortable that you'll be able to dance all night and not look like a dick in five-inch heel murderers. Note: do NOT drink five shots then have a DMC with her about all the family issues you are not meant to know about.