I feel like a dinosaur saying this, but humare zamane mein dating profiles are focused on questionnaires.
We’d have sections for our favourite books. Favourite music. Bios that weren’t locked at 180 characters. And because of that questionnaire, by the time I actually met someone, I could open up to them about my love for German gothic metal without them immediately looking for the exit.
There was a slower pace to online dating. You've got time to get to know each other. There was a shared understanding that this person had read my profile and consciously decided they were interested in me, regardless of how I dressed. Which, at the time, was badly.
You genuinely cannot do that on a first date anymore.
What Actually Happened
Modern dating apps look nothing like the apps of old. They run on weighted algorithms, and the sad reality is that people spend under a minute on a profile. Most of that time is spent looking at the five photos you’ve uploaded, so your photos have to do a lot of heavy lifting.
What that means is this: you now have five photographs and a prompt to distil your entire personality into something legible enough for a stranger to swipe right.
And if the group/ I’m a traveller photos aren't working, no prompt is saving you.
The Bit Nobody Wants to Hear
Here's where I'll say something that will make some of you uncomfortable.
If you're not getting the matches and you've done the inner work, looked inward, gone to therapy, read the books, had the conversations, the problem might be that you’re perceived as being boring.
Same three colours. Same safe outfit.
If that’s the case, please don't turn to Andrew Tate. Turn to your wardrobe.
The good news is that dressing better doesn't mean becoming someone you're not. It actually means the opposite. It's an opportunity to lean into who you already are, just a little more deliberately.
If you're the whimsical one, wear a nice XYXX Supima T-shirt in Pale Yellow. If you're the understated intellectual who wears pieces that are clean, the XYXX Full Sleeve Polo in Irish Beige is a nice change from plain whites. The goal isn't to look like everyone else on the app. The goal is to look like a more deliberate version of yourself.
Because here's the thing about that uniform problem. Scroll through any city's dating pool, and you'll find the same dark shirts, same dark jeans, which give the ‘I clean up alright’ energy’. Stylish t-shirts for men became a specific look that every man started wearing at the same time. But limited that style to black and white. BORING!
What Actually Works
A well-fitted XYXX Polo does something that most men underestimate. It’s white, but not really and has a pique texture that photographs well. It has never once let me down, which, at this stage of my life, is genuinely the highest compliment I give to clothing.
For evenings or upscale Mumbai settings, the XYXX Full Sleeve Polo in Merlot Maroon is the kind of full sleeve t-shirt for men that gives you presence.
And please, it’s time we lost the jeans. The answer to every top is not jeans. It’s structured comfort in the form of the XYXX Zero Pants. Not formal, not trackpants. Clean, structured, light, wrinkle-resistant. They stretch without making a big deal of it. Paired with either polo, they make the whole outfit look like there was thought put behind it.
The Honest Bit at the End
Dating apps are designed for immediate visibility. The filter that used to be your personality is now your photograph, and most men haven't updated their wardrobes to reflect that.
This is a reminder that you don't have to reinvent yourself. You have to dress for the date you want.
And if none of it works after that, there's always Jeevansaathi.
FAQs
What makes the XYXX Cotton Polo a good everyday polo t-shirt for men? The XYXX Polo is made from super-combed cotton for breathability and texture. Pre-shrunk fabric means it looks the same after repeated washes.
How is the XYXX Full Sleeve Polo different from a regular full sleeve t-shirt for men?
The Full Sleeve Polo has a ribbed collar with a two-button placket, ribbed cuffs, and side slits for mobility. Made from 100% combed long staple cotton, it's lightweight enough for all-day wear
Are the XYXX Zero Pants suitable for casual and semi-formal occasions? Yes. The Zero Pants have a clean, structured appearance that works across settings. They're wrinkle-resistant, naturally stretchy, and lightweight, which makes them practical for travel, work, or a casual evening out without needing to be ironed.
Do XYXX polo t-shirts hold their colour after washing?
Yes. XYXX uses high IQ dyes across their polo range for superior colour retention.
Read Next
