What to Wear on a Dinner Date
Are you planning to take your lady out for a fancy dinner date? Then dressing up properly and formally is a must. Perfect pair of boots, formal coat, with shirt and pants. You need to look like a gentleman.
Dinner dates are the best for spending quality time with a significant other, friends, and family. Drinks or coffee-meet-ups are solid for a first meet-up, but by date, two or three, bring on the food. Whether you schedule weekly night-outs or the occasional outing, having a line-up of cute dinner date outfits at the ready is ideal for looking your best. It especially helps to have formulas that work in various climates and vibes, from low-key to dressy and heat-proof to rain-repellent.
Keep scrolling for our picks and date night style tips:
Formal
If you have a formal date planned, definitely step up your outfit and show that you’ve put in effort. You can’t go wrong with a wool blazer and dress pants in a coordinating neutral colour—think navy, grey, white, or black.
This keeps your outfit grounded and elevated, so the focus is on your conversation and not what you’re wearing. Add a subtle pop of colour with a tie and pocket square. Bring it all together with a leather belt and your choice of dress shoes in a rich cognac hue.
Modern
Meeting up with your date for craft cocktails downtown? You’ll want to put together an outfit that’s elevated, and will be appropriate if there’s a dress code. Choosing a sport coat rather than a blazer dials down the formality a bit, and a pattern like a tonal check shows a little personality. For the perfect amount of polish, add a tie and a pair of derby shoes.
Smart
To create a polished look that works for a wide variety of date night plans, starting with a windowpane oxford shirt and chinos is a smart choice. If it’s chilly, layer on a sweater for an elevated touch. A fabric like merino wool provides excellent warmth, yet is lightweight and not too bulky.
Casual
If your date leans more on the cooking at home side, you’ll want to put together more of a laid-back outfit—but still look put together. Start with a checked button down, and give your blues a break with a colored twill pant. Layer on a neutral sweater in case the temperatures drop. For footwear, a chukka is the perfect in-between shoe that has a relaxed vibe yet is much more polished than a sneaker.
Cover Photo: Wix