Date-night outfits don’t usually require that much deliberation. A date-night outfit on Valentine’s Day, however, is kind of A Big Deal, the one night a year when you can show your person – whether that’s romantic partner, a sibling or a dear friend – that you can scrub up pretty nicely.
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If your usual go-to is what you’re wearing plus earrings (and lipstick at a push), which is a perfectly acceptable level of effort for any old Friday, you might need to step outside the box this February. And to help you in your mission to, ahem, dress to impress, we’ve gathered intel from the people who really know what it takes: the A-list.
A casual dinner might as well be date night for a celebrity, whose every outfit is scrutinised as they enter an establishment, be it a no-reservations brunch spot or Carbone.
Whatever you have planned for Valentine’s Day – from a tasting menu to a round of bowling – these six options will cover all eventualities.
The Vogue-approved date-night outfits
Leopard-print + mule sandals
Elle Fanning’s Golden Globes after-party look couldn’t be more perfect for Valentine’s Day, an opportune moment for dressing up-up. A leopard-print slip dress was her starting point, with point-toe mule sandals as the cherry on top, a combination that might feel too “done” for your average dinner but feels just done enough for 14 February. Dial the accoutrements down to a minimum with this look; it speaks for itself.
Skirt suit + thigh-high boots
Taylor Swift might be engaged but she’s also the ultimate gal pal. If you’re taking your bestie for (too many) martinis this Valentine’s Day, a miniskirt suit fits the bill. Swift styled hers with thigh-high boots (the shoe that says you’re making an effort if ever there was one) and sheer tights, which feel practical for winter.
Wool coat + lace-trimmed skirt
Perhaps you’re taking a punt with your date on Valentine’s Day. And if you’re unsure of your feelings, you might want to be similarly tentative when it comes to your outfit. Zoë Kravitz has the solution, a formula that’s smart and casual – in equal measure. Her suggestion is a wool coat, simply cut and preferably neutral, with a lace-trimmed slip peeking, a tad seductively, from the bottom. You can appreciate why this look is so effortless – it looks like you were lounging around, forgot the time, and ran out the door. Perfectly-pitched, we say.
Cardi + jeans
It sounds run of the mill, but a cardigan and jeans, done right, can be romance-coded. Bella Hadid recently stepped out wearing the combination, but with hot red accents for some extra heat. (Notice how the jeans aren’t baggy, which might read as slightly platonic, but slimline then slightly flared.) A floor sweeping coat, chunky gold earrings and, the surprising pièce de résistance, oval spectacles should be your finishing touches.
Polka-dot dress + mini bag
The polka dot might not be as sexy as leopard spots but, deployed correctly, it’s just as winning. Whether you’re planning a chilled movie night of your shared favourites, or a pub crawl starting with the boozer where you met, a polka dot’s ability to go high or low (i.e. formal or informal) makes it a catch-all for Valentine’s Day. Olivia Rodrigo’s unfussy slip dress, plus a top-handle mini bag, is an excellent starting point to explore the polka dot’s potential. And hey, if everything goes well, it might become a new date-night tradition.
White dress + heels
There’s nothing quite so romantic as one garment: a white dress. Zoe Saldana proves it doesn’t have to be saccharine, however, with boho tiers paired with spike-heeled pumps. It’s a combination that works precisely because it shouldn’t, especially if you factor in a smattering of alt jewellery (try a cocktail ring or an anklet).
