The reservation is booked, you've already perused the online menu, and the date is firmly in your busy diary. The last thing you want to have to worry about is what to wear. Date-night outfits can cause all kinds of irrational (but totally justified) questions. Do you wear heels? Is it dressy or dressy-casual? Whether it's a first date, a plan with your S.O. or a soirée with your closest friends, after-dark outfit planning is almost essential to ensure your night is stress-free.
With so many trends to decipher, it can become a minefield. But there are some outfits influencers always wear to look effortless, be it a dress-and-boot combo (as worn by Karina of @styleidealist below), a black fail-safe midi dress or a great statement blazer. Rest assured that these six outfit equations below will solve your dressing dilemmas so you can get back to that menu.
1. BLACK MIDI DRESS + SPARKLY HEELS
Style Notes: In all honestly, you can't beat a black dress. Granted, the LBD will never fail, but the midi is the style that'll be suitable for practically any occasion going. Throw on statement shoes, and voilà—outfit perfection right there.
2. BRIGHT BLAZER + JEANS + PRINTED ACCESSORIES
Style Notes: The humble blazer can make all the difference in a simple outfit. Go for a bright, bold shade, and it'll instantly make you feel more put-together. Take a tip from Yusra Siddiqui, and mix in hints of print with your accessories. Now, you're ready for a casual date night.
3. WAISTCOAT + WIDE-LEG TROUSERS
Style Notes: Loose-fit tailoring for after-dark is underrated. And Stephanie Broek agrees. Ditching the blazer from a three-piece suit, the Amsterdam-based influencer embraces the waistcoat as a top. Whether it's a dinner reservation or a gathering, this look won't fail to impress.
4. STAR-PRINT DRESS + BERET + COAT
Style Notes: Around this time of year, a star-print dresss is sometimes enough to feel fancy. Luckily, the high street has listened to the party-season demand, with the likes of Marks and Spencer, Kitri and & Other Stories all creating iterations this season. Pop on a beret and a cosy coat to keep equal parts warm and stylish.
5. FEATHER TOP + MIDI SKIRT + PLATFORMS
Style Notes: Emili Sindlev—aka, the queen of fun outfits—never gets it wrong. If you have a reservation somewhere extra good, why not pull out the big guns and don a feather-embellished top with mega-platforms? Because taking any excuse to get over-dressed is always okay.
6. RED DRESS + RED HEELS
Style Notes: Red (dress) + red (shoes) + red (lips) is always going to equal perfection. The belle of the ball Ellie Delphine proves the simple combination works. There's no such thing as being OTT this season. Wear your best dress, put on the high heels, and opt for more is more.
Next up, this is the best dress trend ever.
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