No matter if it’s your first date or a child-free night out many years into your relationship (or anywhere in between!), dressing up for a date can often be both fun and also a little daunting. It’s the balance of looking polished and chic yet in an effortless kind of way, and dressing for yourself (always dress for yourself!) but also wanting to impress your beau. Be inspired by a few of our top picks from new season offerings.
Gemma Jumpsuit, $300 from Marle (left), Beach Bloomers Set, $150 from Beach Knickers (centre), Jenny Sundress, $199 from RUBY (right).
Perhaps you are off for a picnic at the beach or at the park, keep cool in light and breathable fabrics, in say a jumpsuit, dress or a matching two piece set. We love this stylish cotton stripe jumpsuit by Marle pictured above on the left. Beach Knickers is a darling label by Rose Ackland, with many hints of a nostalgic past in her designs and her pieces are perfect for a day out in the sunshine, how charming is this blush coloured cami and bloomer set pictured in the centre? RUBY always have a wide range of dress designs perfect for any type of date really, we especially love this gorgeous khaki number made from 100% cotton. Sun protection is absolutely vital, check out these delightful caps and visors by The Brim Label or you might opt for a panama style like this one by modern milliner Rebe Burgess. Store your essentials in a chic straw bag and footwear wise – keep it practical, slides or wedges for walking on sand or on grass will do the trick.
The Diana Cami, $580 and Tulip Skirt, $500 from Maggie Marilyn (left), Romy Deux Dress, $199 by Ellis Label (centre), Striped linen blend scarf top, $29.99 and Linen striped wide leg trouser, $59.99 from Glassons (right).
If it’s a long lunch you are off to, elevate your everyday look with a little bit of extra detail by playing with trends, colour and proportion. You could consider a top and skirt ensemble such as this striking one by Maggie Marilyn, the silk cami would look great paired with a number of bottoms and how amazing is the shape in the skirt? A dress is always an easy go-to, and this marigold yellow design from Ellis and Friends is so pretty with the double frill hem. Or how about this stripe linen set from Glassons, definitely one for the bold at heart, though the trousers would look equally as great with a pretty blouse. Dining al fresco? There is no better opportunity to show off your most glamorous pair of sunglasses.
Painterly Pintucked top, $550 and Surrealism Jeans, $450 by Karen Walker (left), Believe Dress, $169 by Blak Basics (centre), Ruffle back T-shirt, $199 and Pleat Short, $179 from Country Road (right).
Movie night is all about casual-cool and comfort, sometimes a tricky line to balance for fear of looking too casual, but a pair of great jeans with a stylish top is always a fail-safe combo such as this one from Karen Walker’s latest collection. A wrap dress is a wonderfully versatile piece to own, and is great to dress up or down such as this grey knit design by Blak, seen here styled freshly with white sneakers. A slightly dressier option though still quite effortless in execution, is this ruffle t-shirt paired with pleated shorts from Country Road.
Sweet Emotion dress, $669 by Alice McCall from Superette (left), Romantic Stacy Dress, $259 from Witchery (centre), Pia V-Neck Mini, $579 by Kate Sylvester (right),
Dinner and cocktails=go all out! (If you’re game that is). Embrace the occasion to dress up, by pulling out your most treasured pieces or scour the shops to find that special something. Magazines have long informed us a little black dress is an absolute wardrobe essential, usually of a style that’s simplistic in nature, though we love the fun and trendy nature of this Alice McCall design with its sheer lace work and tiers of ruffles – perfect to dance in, should you so fancy after your dinner date. Consider a gorgeous draped back such as the one on this Witchery bias cut design that’s part of their limited ‘First Edition’ range. Or how about this Kate Sylvester dress? The colour work in the lace embroidery is just divine and will be sure to be a great conversation starter over your romantic meal.
Images supplied.