If you shop at MR PORTER, chances are you understand that clothes do indeed make the man. But if you’re new to us, or have had your doubts, allow us to demystify this for you: what you wear matters. We’re not saying every item in your wardrobe needs to come with a fancy label and a hefty price tag, but what you wear indicates what kind of man you are and what kind of man you hope to be. What’s more, your clothes can speak volumes about who you are to the most important people in the world: prospective mates.

If you’re a single man in the modern world, you’re probably on at least one dating app. Those crude icons on our phone screens have revolutionised the dating experience (and the world of hook-ups, if we’re being honest). They make it easy to judge potential mates based solely on a few snapshots from their lives. And if you’re swiping left and right based on looks alone, have you ever stopped to think that your profile picture is getting the same treatment?

All the more reason to think carefully about how you’re presenting yourself to the future love of your life. Do you really want a picture of you holding a fish to be the first thing they see? No. You want to cast yourself in the very best light and show off your personality just using your clothes. Here’s how you do it.

Are you the kind of man who opens doors for people, makes mix tapes and enjoys taking long walks on the beach? Consider the word “soft” when getting dressed in the morning. Wool trousers, such as these from Auralee, with a beautiful drape, a wide fit and a pronounced break (a crease above the ankle from the trouser leg hitting your shoe) are a luxurious and stylish update to a classic menswear staple. Paired with a supple, heavy-gauge sweater from Gucci and simple adidas x Human Made sneakers, the look says: “Let’s go to the movies”. Or even, “Dinner’s on me”. Don’t underestimate the power of a camel overcoat that whispers, “I will drape this over your shoulders when you get cold”. What could be more romantic than that?

Even if you aren’t a web designer for a Shoreditch-based startup, you can dress like one. It’s easier than you think: take one overshirt (we like this fuzzy checked one from Remi Relief), one graphic tee (here, from Wacko Maria) and one pair of corduroy trousers and you’ve got the basic elements of a creative’s wardrobe. This look says you know your way around a Wacom tablet, the last gig you went to was underground and your best friend is a chef in the coolest new restaurant in town. We wouldn’t be surprised if your home was filled with rare cacti and heavy photography tomes.

Class clown, doesn’t take life too seriously – the funny guy always gets a bad rap. But he doesn’t have to be the messy guy or the shlumpy guy, the guy whose apartment has looked the same since he moved in 10 years ago. The funny guy can be grown-up and cool. All you need to do is upgrade your low-key wardrobe with pieces that still feel comfortable and light, but look clean and put together. A chore jacket, light-blue jeans, plus a removable layer you can tie around your waist (Mum would be proud) is an easy combination that you can iterate in different colour combinations. A T-shirt, such as this one from Folk, allows you to keep things playful. There’s nothing serious about this look, but it doesn’t look sloppy or silly. Think of this get-up as you, just a more grown-up version.

A dying trout suspended from a fishing line should never do the talking in a dating app profile, so dispense with the aforementioned fish pics (they are more common than you might think). If you’re a man who likes to spend his off-duty hours in the wilderness, put on some of your favourite gear, get out there and strike a pose. You don’t have to go full Mr Bear Grylls, though. Simply throw on some Diemme hiking boots and an And Wander fleece over your WTAPS trousers. A man who comes prepared is an attractive man, so if you have a Snow Peak folding chair – perfect for sitting around a fire at night – don’t be afraid to show it off. Only nature lovers and adventurous types need apply.

If your idea of a perfect date includes discussing the merits of Mr Haruki Murakami’s nearly 1,000-page novel 1Q84, a glass of 50-year-old whisky and a roaring fire, then congratulations, you’re an intellectual. No need to be a snob about it. Let your tweed blazer, upgraded here by Japanese brand Beams Plus, do the talking. This is not your grandfather’s professorial style, though. We’ve streamlined the look with slim, dark-blue denim, a modern-man pink sweater from Sid Mashburn and a luxurious Valextra document case. Classic details such as a blue Oxford shirt tucked neatly into your crewneck and G.H. Bass & Co. tassel loafers signal you’re an old-school guy, even though you’re meeting your date in a new-fangled way.