Everyone loves a good dress for a summer date night, but sometimes I want to dress outside the “dress box”. Here are a few casual date night outfits that will leave you feeling super confident and put together in that effortless-cool-girl kinda way. I’m sharing my basic outfit formula and a few outfits I have been loving lately!
FOUR CASUAL DATE NIGHT OUTFITS
1 | FEMININE TOP AND CUT-OFF SHORTS
top (fit is loose, wearing xs) | denim shorts (exact pair old, linking similar from same retailer. fit is tts) | clutch | sunglasses | sandals (fit tts)
I just love the contrast between a flowy feminine top and cut-offs. Keep it super chic by choosing shorts that aren’t too short, having minimal to no distressing, and opting for a black wash. Instead of wearing heels, pull out your favorite dressy flats and pair them with a clutch.
2 | FITTED TOP AND LINEN SHORTS
sunglasses | bodysuit (wearing small, tts) | linen shorts (wearing small, fits is loose but wouldn’t size down) | heels (tts) | straw bag
I love this casual date night outfit because the shorts are a step above your average shorts. The flowy fit of linen shorts makes it as cute as a skirt but still comfy like shorts. When you pair it with a dressier top and heels as I did here, the whole outfit is elevated! Although it would look just as cute with sandals (especially a pair like this!!)
3 | DISTRESSED DENIM + TANK + BELT
sunglasses | tank (fit is loose, xs) | jeans (also here. runs big, size down. wearing 25) | belt | sandals (tts, wearing 8) | bag (similar linked)
OK, so distressed denim jeans and a tank aren’t exactly groundbreaking in the outfit department. BUT the thing that takes it from a casual outfit to one of the best casual date night outfits is the extras.
- Add a sleek belt. I love this belt because the white pops, it’s not too thick, and the buckle design is not too bulky or clunky.
- Jewelry. My two fave combos are either statement earrings and a bracelet stack, or simple studs with a few layered necklaces.
- The bag. I opted for a leather backpack here because this was a family date and it doubled as a diaper bag lol. Otherwise, a clutch or small structured bag would have been a great option.
- Shoes. Anything from kitten heels to slides like I’m wearing here is the perfect finish to a fit like this!
4 | DISTRESSED DENIM + BODYSUIT + HEELS
sunglasses | bodysuit (wearing sm – size up for long torso, otherwise tts) | denim (also here. runs big, size down one) | similar shoes | bag
THIS is the exact outfit I wore on my anniversary date. We went to the cutest Mediterranean restaurant and ate outdoors, then walked around the city center and this outfit was perfect for that! My husband thought I was hot haha and tbh I felt confident and sexy in it. Ultimately, isn’t that the zenith of a great date night outfit??!
The formula for your casual date night outfits:
ONE | The juxtaposition of your pieces is key. Pairing a super casual tee-shirt with super casual jeans makes a super casual outfit. A feminine top with a flowy skirt makes a girlie romantic outfit. But take that same feminine top and pair it with your favorite distressed jeans and this, my friend, is the juxtaposition I am talking about. Now, it’s not grungy, it’s not girlie, it’s the makings of that perfect effortless-cool-girl-chic outfit!!
TWO | Accessories are what set your outfit apart. If you take the most basic of outfits and just swap out the accessories, you will have completely different outfits. (I talked all about that in this post: How to Make a Basic Outfit Anything but Boring.) Just try to avoid putting statement pieces near each other. If you go for the big earrings, skip or go super minimalist on the necklace. Don’t wear your showstopper belt, bracelet, and rings all at once. In this case, less is more.
However, if you have some simple minimalist pieces and they aren’t competing with a unique neckline or pattern, you might be able to wear them all!
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