It’s nice to get dressed up for your other half especially on Valentine’s Day which is just around the corner. It shows you care enough to make an effort for them. Plus, looking good gives your own confidence a boost. So, if you are lucky enough to be planning a date night, what should you wear? This article has all the date night outfits you need, whether you’re planning a casual date or a more formal night out.

date night outfits

Below, you will find a date night capsule for inspiration. But, before taking a look, let’s think about what you might want to include in your date night outfits.

What’s important in date night outfits

For a date night, you’ll want to exude some subtle, or not-so-subtle sex appeal, and maybe a little romance. So, you could think about wearing colors normally associated with love, such as pinks or reds.

You can add romantic floral prints – choose graphic prints rather than anything old-fashioned, and also think about the texture of your clothes. Choose tactile materials such as silk, satin, velvet and leather. You’ll find some of each in the capsule below.

All of the items come from Nordstrom whom we collaborated with for this article. The one shop that has it all; from affordable brands to high-end designer.

tops

If you’re wearing separates for your date night, you’ll want to think about your top first. This is particularly important if you are going for dinner, as the rest of your outfit will be hidden by the table for most of the night.

Leather will add a bit of an edge to your outfit, while sheer fabrics will subtly show off a little skin. You could also think about cowl necks to add glamour, and tops with a graphical print.

Tops to wear for a date night | 40plusstyle.com

Anne Klein Gathered Neck Faux Leather T-ShirtMisook Cowl Neck Crêpe de Chine TopTed Baker London Kattiyia Floral Satin BlouseAnne Klein Flocked Dot Tie Front Blouse

Red blazer and velvet pants outfit | 40plusstyle.com

River Island Ruched Sleeve BlazerAnne Klein Gathered Neck Faux Leather T-ShirtTed Baker London Tansyat Wide Leg Velvet TrousersComme des Garçons PLAY x Converse Chuck Taylor® Red Sole Low Top SneakerKurt Geiger London Kensington Croc Heart Micro Crossbody BagJenny Bird Layla Heart Pendant Wrap BraceletJenny Bird Layla Heart Drop Earrings

Jackets and coats

If it’s chilly where you are, and you need an overcoat, choose a long style that is longer than the hem on your dress. For a more casual approach, you could think about a moto jacket, while a cape style will add glamour to your outfit.

If you want a cover up that you can continue to wear throughout the date, a blazer if always a stylish option. Choosing a blazer in red ensures that it is more date night appropriate, rather than looking like workwear.

Jackets and coats to wear for date night | 40plusstyle.com

River Island Ruched Sleeve BlazerAnne Klein Cape Notched Lapels JacketAnne Klein Faux Leather Moto JacketCole Haan Signature Flared Belted Wool Blend Trench Coat

Wrap dress and coat outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Cole Haan Signature Flared Belted Wool Blend Trench CoatAnne Klein Heart Print Long Sleeve Wrap DressCalvin Klein Loden Pointed Toe PumpCOACH Tabby Pebbled Leather Crossbody BagLele Sadoughi Candy Heart Stud Earrings

Pants and jeans

If you’re more of a pants and jeans person rather than skirts and dresses, you can put together an elegant outfit, while keeping your legs covered. As long as you aren’t going somewhere very formal, you could choose to dress up your denim.

Or, look out for sophisticated wide-leg pants, and materials such as silk, satin or velvet.

Jeans and pants to wear for date night | 40plusstyle.com

Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution High Waist Itty Bitty Bootcut JeansNordstrom High Waist Wide Leg PantsPolo Ralph Lauren Flat Front Satin TrousersTed Baker London Tansyat Wide Leg Velvet Trousers

Black, white and floral outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Anne Klein Cape Notched Lapels JacketTed Baker London Kattiyia Floral Satin BlousePolo Ralph Lauren Flat Front Satin TrousersSam Edelman Wanda Pointed Toe FlatKurt Geiger London Kensington Croc Heart Micro Crossbody BagNadri Leah Statement Hoop Earrings

Dresses and skirts

A stylish dress or skirt is always a good option for date night. A wrap style is universally flattering for all body types. You can also think about a beautiful black dress (the print on the Ted Baker dress below gives it a point of difference), or you could add some interest with asymmetry, like on the hemline of the blue skirt.

Dresses and skirts to wear for date night | 40plusstyle.com

Fraiche by J Long Sleeve Faux Wrap DressTed Baker London Averiee Abstract Floral Satin SlipdressAnne Klein Heart Print Long Sleeve Wrap DressTed Baker London Chancie Ruched Waterfall Gauze Midi Skirt

Black skirt and booties outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Ted Baker London Averiee Abstract Floral Satin SlipdressOpen Edit Tilly Pointed Toe BootieKurt Geiger London Kensington Croc Heart Micro Crossbody BagNadri Leah Statement Hoop Earrings

Shoes and boots

Moving onto shoes, heels are an obvious choice, and help to elevate any outfit. But you can also think about pointed flats, booties, or even sneakers if your date is more casual.

Shoes and boots to wear for date night | 40plusstyle.com

Sam Edelman Wanda Pointed Toe FlatCalvin Klein Loden Pointed Toe PumpOpen Edit Tilly Pointed Toe BootieComme des Garçons PLAY x Converse Chuck Taylor® Red Sole Low Top Sneaker

Red blazer and jeans outfit | 40plusstyle.com

River Island Ruched Sleeve BlazerTed Baker London Kattiyia Floral Satin BlouseWit & Wisdom Ab-Solution High Waist Itty Bitty Bootcut JeansCalvin Klein Loden Pointed Toe PumpCOACH Tabby Pebbled Leather Crossbody BagLele Sadoughi Candy Heart Stud Earrings

accessories

You can add some playful touches with your accessories. The jewelry and black bag (below) feature heart designs. Or, add a pop of color with a red clutch bag.

Accessories to wear with your date night outfits | 40plusstyle.com

COACH Tabby Pebbled Leather Crossbody BagKurt Geiger London Kensington Croc Heart Micro Crossbody BagJenny Bird Layla Heart Pendant Wrap BraceletJenny Bird Layla Heart Drop EarringsNadri Leah Statement Hoop EarringsLele Sadoughi Candy Heart Stud Earrings

Pink top and jeans outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Anne Klein Faux Leather Moto JacketMisook Cowl Neck Crêpe de Chine TopWit & Wisdom Ab-Solution High Waist Itty Bitty Bootcut JeansCOACH Tabby Pebbled Leather Crossbody BagJenny Bird Layla Heart Pendant Wrap BraceletJenny Bird Layla Heart Drop Earrings

Your date night outfits together in one capsule

Below, you can see the clothes, shoes and accessories used above together in one capsule. You could easily mix and match all the tops, bottoms, coats and shoes around to create plenty of different looks.

You could, for instance, wear the leather-look top with the jeans, the pink top with the white pants, the white or red jacket over the black dress, or the floral top with the velvet pants.

Date night outfits | 40plusstyle.com

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Date night outfits: what to wear to a romantic night out | 40plusstyle.com

This article was brought to you in collaboration with Nordstrom

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

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