Dinner Date Outfit Ideas: How to Look Your Best

A dinner date is a perfect excuse to step away from your conservative work wardrobe and put on an outfit that is fun, flattering, and even a little sexy! Whether you’re on a first date with a new crush, planning a night out with your long-time sweetheart, or simply getting together with an old friend to catch up, you’ll feel confident yet comfortable if you put together a dinner date outfit that lets your personal style shine.

Take the stress out of choosing what to wear to dinner with our dinner date outfit ideas. With this article, you can relax knowing that you’ll be putting your best foot forward no matter the occasion.

What to Wear on a Dinner Date

When going over what to wear for evening dinner, keep these general guidelines in mind to help you narrow down your options:

1. How dressy is the date? Are you meeting up for a casual chat over burgers? Or have you booked a table at the nicest restaurant in town? Choosing a dinner date outfit that fits the venue will put you at ease and help you make a great first impression.
2. Who are you meeting? If this is a first date, you’ll want to choose an outfit that reflects your personality and makes you feel amazing. For a romantic dinner out with your honey, wearing something a little sexy can add a pinch of spice to your evening. A casual meetup with friends calls for something effortlessly stylish with a dash of fun.
3. What’s your go-to style? Avoid choosing an outfit that is so out of your comfort zone that you feel awkward — your date will pick up on it! If you never wear skirts, create a sexy dinner date outfit with a pair of chic pants and a cute top instead. Go with strappy statement sandals or stylish riding boots if you can’t walk without teetering in heels. And if you want to feel put together but not too formal, switch out the suit and tie with a slim-fitting button-down shirt and a casual blazer. 

Casual Dinner Date Outfit Ideas

Casual going out for dinner outfits for women

No matter who you’re meeting, a casual dinner date is a great excuse to dress fun and flirty. Try pairing distressed skinny jeans or fitted cargo pants with a breezy top and high heeled sandals; for cooler temps, layer a leather jacket or oversized blazer on top and opt for statement boots. If you want to make your casual outfit stand out, choose an off-the-shoulder shirt or sweater or go super feminine with ruffles or lace. If you add flair on the top, keep the bottom understated with flattering jeans or pants.

Casual going out for dinner outfits for men

The devil is in the details when creating a casual dinner outfit that looks both effortless yet put-together enough to show that you care. Even for a casual dinner date outfit of jeans and a t-shirt, you’ll want to choose pieces that fit perfectly (not too baggy, not too tight) and are meticulously crisp and clean. If you’re unsure about what to wear on a dinner date, choose an outfit from the dressier side of your closet, like a button-down shirt and clean sneakers rather than a hoodie and sandals.

What to Wear to a Nice Dinner

Dressy dinner date outfit ideas for women

You can pull out all the stops when planning your outfit for an elegant dinner date, with classics like the iconic “little black dress” or a flattering sheath dress paired with strappy sandals, delicate jewelry, and a sophisticated evening bag. If you feel your best in pants, opt for skinny black pants or dark jeans with a satin camisole or sequined top. Add high-heels or ankle boots for a finishing touch.

Dressy dinner date outfit ideas for men

Don’t worry, you don’t have to wear a tie! On the contrary, suits, and ties can be off-putting on a date, so instead iron your button-down shirt, put on a pair of blue or black dress pants or dark jeans, and add a tailored blazer. Pay attention to details: make sure your shoes are shined, complete your look with a nice watch, and add a spritz of cologne before walking out the door.

Dinner with Friends Outfit Ideas

Just because you’re meeting up with friends doesn’t mean you don’t want to look and feel your best. That said, there’s a bit less pressure when deciding what to wear to dinner with friends. As such, you can be bolder in your wardrobe choices without having to worry about making a less-than-ideal impression. Instead, a friend date is a perfect opportunity to test drive a new style. Try a trendy color or silhouette, statement accessories, or other new-to-you items. Your friends will be quick to tell you if it’s fabulous or forgettable

Find Your Perfect Dinner Date Outfit

If you’ve got dinner-date jitters, take the pressure off of deciding what to wear for evening dinner by contacting our experts at Unionbay for more dinner date outfit ideas! From fashionable pants for women to cute women’s tops, we have the stylish options you need.