What do you wear on date nights? We posed the question on Instagram and got hundreds of fantastic replies. (They were impossible to narrow down!) Here, 10 Cup of Jo readers share what they wear out on the town…
Above: “When my husband and I get the rare opportunity for an evening date and a break from the drudgery of parenthood that can honestly make you forget you’re the subject of anyone’s romantic gaze, I always end up in something that draws the eye to the neck and clavicle — and an extra spritz of Le Labo perfume. I have a small scar on my chest that took me a long time to accept and I remember worrying that I’d have to resign myself to crewnecks for the rest of my life. But I learned to embrace the imperfection, the same way my partner sees all of my faults but loves me anyway.” — Jennifer, Ballston Lake, NY
“To be honest, my date look doesn’t vary too much from my everyday look — I like bold, fun pieces. For dates I make sure to wear my good jeans (these are so flattering), add sparkle (a fun bracelet), and do something different with my hair (here I used that Bedhead beach wave curling iron).” — Jessica, Sudbury, MA
“In Alaska, my dates often include physical activity and extreme weather, where the only appropriate skin to show is my nose. I’ve adopted the adage that ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.’ I also love supporting companies that prioritize local production and environmental sustainability. My favorite brands are Skida, Salmon Sisters, Patagonia and Dovetail Workwear.” — Jillian, Fairbanks, AK
“My ideal date is eating Italian food and then walking on the beach. But there have been some dates where we have barely talked, just sat holding each other’s hands and looking at cars and people passing by, and have come home really happy. Each other’s presence is enough.” — Divya, Mumbai, India
“For date nights, I love to throw on a Karina dress. They are so easy, and as a mom of a one- and four-year-old, I find they’re also great for pregnancy, postpartum and nursing. Plus, they are ethically made right here in my hometown. (I don’t work there, just love the clothes!)” – Kathryn, Kingston, NY
“My fiancé and I like going out to a movie and dinner. But honestly, since we have crazy schedules, mundane things like going grocery shopping also seem luxurious. Oh gosh, guess I have officially passed my 20s — thank goodness! This dress is H&M from seven years ago! It’s definitely held up well.” — Lakshmi, St. Louis, MO
“I wore this on a date recently and felt so grown up — I was attempting to channel Meghan Markle’s effortlessly cool style. The date wasn’t great, but I can say I was just as happy coming home to a glass of wine and and episode of Fleabag!” — Anna, Hamburg, Germany
“I like casual day dates (farmers market, walking the dog around the lake, brunch), so I don’t go for stereotypically sexy outfits. I’m particularly in love with this giant polka-dot vintage sweater that I found at a rummage sale! It makes me feel comfortable in my own skin and like I could go for a jog or climb a fence if need be.” — Teresa, Oakland, CA
“Makeup is key for me. I rarely spend much effort on my daily face, but when my husband and I get time away from our two small daughters, I like to remind him of the fox he married. If you’re ever needing an instant hit of sexy vibes, eyeliner is certainly the fastest method, in my humble opinion.” — Lauren, Indianapolis, IN
“In the process of my husband taking these photos, I realized that while I love putting together outfits, THERE IS A REASON I DON’T OFTEN TAKE PHOTOS OF THEM. (I don’t know what to do with my hands.) Outfit details: Heattech long undies top and bottom, velvet blazer from an outlet, linen wrap skirt from Canadian-designed Cedar & Vine, Costco socks and J. Crew shoes.” — Tiiu, Kingston, Ontario
What do you wear on dates? Please share below…
P.S. What readers wear to work, and what I love to pack for trips.