Fashion Clothing 20 Date Night Outfit Ideas For Every Style and Occasion You'll never have to wonder what to wear with these quick solutions. By Julia Guerra Julia Guerra Julia Guerra is a freelance contributor with over six years of experience writing beauty, health, wellness, style, parenting, and food content. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on September 2, 2022 @ 11:30AM Pin Share Tweet Email Photo: Getty Images Whether it's your first date or your fiftieth, piecing together the perfect date night outfit can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking task. The goal is to look and feel your best while also dressing appropriately for the occasion. However, when you're also up against various weather-related conditions and vague dress codes, figuring out what to wear can almost feel impossible. This is especially true for those of us whose significant others are also now our co-workers, thanks to hybrid arrangements that have become the norm. Making plans to spend some quality time together outside thehome office feels almost essential to keep the romance alive, but what cute outfit can you throw together that they haven't seen already? Well, that's where we come in. 8 Ways to Wear a Sheer Lace Dress, According to Stylists Ahead, we've rounded up enough date night outfit inspiration to accommodate every occasion. From slipping on elevated loungewear for a movie night to freshening up your favorite skirt for dinner reservations, here are some of the best looks to help spice up your date night attire. 01 of 20 A Coordinated Set Getty Images Co-ords have become the fashion trend that date nights need and deserve. Channel candle-lit dinner vibes from the comfort of your own home, dressed in a matching set that's both sexy and super comfortable. 02 of 20 Your Coziest Pajamas Getty Images Watching a movie and ordering in calls for comfy attire, and what's more comfortable than actual loungewear? Monochromatic sets will give off the illusion that you put in real effort to put together a cute outfit for the occasion, but at the same time, prints can be pretty fun, too. Whip out your favorite pair of PJs, and if you and your significant other can color coordinate, all the better. 03 of 20 All-Black Everything Getty Images If there's any fashion technique that is always on-trend and works for every signature style, it's the all-black outfit. It's chameleonic: no matter what your date night plans entail, black on black is always subtle, classic, and appropriate. RELATED: Hailey Bieber's Little Black Cardigan Dress Is the Epitome of Late Summer Dressing 04 of 20 A Done-in-One Jumpsuit Getty Images Done-in-one outfits, like jumpsuits, will be your saving grace when you're low on time before a date. Loud patterns and bold colors like pink and orange are a statement all their own, so reach for dainty accessorize and neutral footwear. However, if your jumpsuit is an earth tone or boasts a very subtle pattern, gravitate towards chunky jewels, belts, and footwear that add pops of color. 05 of 20 A Belted Oversized Shirt Getty Images Jumpsuits aren't your only options for done-in-one date night outfits. For example, you can easily add a chunky or chain belt to transform an oversized top into a shirt dress and style to your liking. You can dress up the ensemble with costume jewelry and funky handbags, keep things casual with sneakers and a beanie, create contrast with baggy jeans, or simply throw on a pair of over-the-knee boots and be on your way. 06 of 20 A Blazer Over Anything Getty Images Blazers add an element of sophistication to even the simplest, everyday outfit, so slip one over a plain white or graphic t-shirt and play around with bottoms like jeans, cigarette pants, roomy joggers, and leggings. Nothing's off limits. RELATED: 9 Different Types of Blazers Worth Adding to Your Wardrobe 07 of 20 Leather Bottoms Getty Images There's something about leather that boosts an outfit's cool factor. Faux leather leggings and joggers are especially popular and look fantastic when paired with graphic T-shirts or mock turtlenecks. But, let us not forget the impact a leather jacket or pair of boots can have on an ensemble, too. These additions can add a moody contrast to feminine looks, so have fun with them. 08 of 20 Your Favorite Sweater Getty Images You look your best when you feel your best, right? So, pick your favorites and focus on accessorizing for the evening's vibe. A classic sweater and jeans combo is the ideal option, or you can trade your denim for a simple silk skirt. As for accessories, sneakers and a crossbody are fit for a casual outing, while heels and statement jewelry will make this outfit work for plans that are a little more formal. 09 of 20 Elevated Loungewear Getty Images Gone are the days when sweats translated to a lazy-day uniform. Now, they're elevated, celebrity-approved, and work for anything and everything, from running errands to Zoom meetings, and, yes, even date nights. Upgrade your favorites with layered necklaces or a statement chain, a sleek crossbody bag, and a clean pair of white sneakers. 10 of 20 The Lampshade Look Getty Images The pantless look Ariana Grande made famous circa 2015 is the kind of street style that requires minimal effort and exudes confidence and sensuality, while also being incredibly laid back. Plus, chances are you already have an oversized sweatshirt and thigh-high boots in your wardrobe, so you can put the money you planned to spend on a new outfit towards food, instead. RELATED: 11 Incredibly Cute Knee-High Boots Outfits to Keep in Your Rotation 11 of 20 A T-Shirt and Jeans Getty Images Jessica Simpson wrote an entire ode to T-shirts, and there's a reason why the song ("With You") is still beloved years later. T-shirts are the linear definition of comfort, easy to throw on, and there are countless ways to style them. Plus, if you can feel comfortable and confident around your partner with nothing but a T-shirt and jeans on, you've found a winner. 12 of 20 A Micro Mini Getty Images With the return of Y2K style came the micro mini, and to be honest, we're not mad about it. This skirt option can be equal parts sexy and sweet depending how you style it. Go the preppy route for you date night by grabbing a button-down, ankle socks, and loafers, or lean into the skin-baring aspect by slipping on a cutout top and heels. Want a combo that feels weirdly comfy? Pair the tiny bottom with a chunky sweatshirt and sneakers. It's cute and cozy while showing off those stems. 13 of 20 Sweater Vests Getty Images Even if you're unable to ransack your grandparents' closets for this must-have piece, you can take a page from their book and invest in a modern option. Sweater vests are the ultimate layering piece, so whether date night is in or outdoors, there's always a way to throw it over your look to add a quirky, cool detail. Not only is this retro item of clothing super versatile, it can also be worn any time of year — even in the summer without a layer underneath. 14 of 20 A Mix of Casual and Formal Pieces Getty Images You heard it here first: There are no rules in fashion. So, mix and match patterns that speak to you, experiment with color, and take a page from the outfit photographed above, blurring the lines between casual and formal wear. One option: Pair trousers or a tennis skirt with a baggy tee or graphic sweatshirt, or go casual with your bottoms and add a formal blouse (think puffy sleeves, sequins, and tailored cuts). RELATED: 9 Black T-Shirts for Women That Are Anything But Basic 15 of 20 A Dress Getty Images Just as classic as a skirt and heels, a dress and boots creates the perfect date night outfit for any time of year. If you're heading out to dinner, layer a sweater or cardigan on top and consider a pair of tights, depending on the weather. Staying in? Opt for comfortable footwear like flats, sneakers, or matching house slippers (Megan Fox loves this pair from UGG). 16 of 20 Amped Up Basics Getty Images Basics work beautifully for date nights because they can be dressed up or down, depending on where you're headed. Take a white tank top, for example. You can pair the piece with jeans, a knit cardigan, and sneakers if you're just catching a movie, or add a maxi skirt and wedged sandals for dinner on the terrace. You can just as easily upgrade a basic white tee and jeans with the addition of jewelry — think chunky bangles, layered necklaces, and chandelier earrings. Poke around in your collection and see where you end up. 17 of 20 A Canadian Tuxedo Getty Images If you're thinking "an all denim everything ensemble is so Y2K," that's the point. Styles from the early aughts are having an umpteenth wind, and modern takes on the Canadian tuxedo (think Britney and Justin, but not as dated) are among the lot. You could opt for different shades of denim (black over blue, perhaps) or mix-and-match cuts a la Bella Hadid, who recently paired a denim corset with a micro-mini jean skirt. 18 of 20 Athleisure Getty Images If sporty is your style, grab your favorite pair of biker shorts and a cropped tee or sweatshirt. Add a pair of clean sneakers and you're just as prepared for a hike as you are to grab ice cream on the boardwalk. 19 of 20 Cute Cutouts Getty Images Looking to add some zing to your date outfit? Cutouts could be the way to go. Bare some skin in a top with a peek-a-boo shoulder for subtle sex appeal, or go super flirty by full-on flossing with skinny straps that are far from shy. We guarantee that special someone's eyes will be glued on you all night long. 20 of 20 Playful Outerwear Getty Images There's a time and place to triumph your denim and leather jackets, but if the goal is to dress up your everyday uniform for date night, why not swap your go-to outerwear for something a little more special? One daring and darling option for cooler evenings is the cape, an accessory that had gained popularity right before the pandemic hit. Capes come in so many different styles, from classic to puffers, and can be worn as a key layering piece in colder months. Our advice? Give this clothing item a second chance.