Date Night Outfit Ideas

Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post brought to you by thredUP.  All opinions are 100% my own.

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to get some help.  One of the main reasons is that with work, five kids, and a house constantly in transition, it feels like I don’t make date night as much of a priority.  And it should be.  It really should be.  That’s my fault.  I guess I think of date night in some ways as a ‘getaway’ or a ‘treat’.  I think splurging on a babysitter once every couple of months as something that is a negotiable frivolity.  And maybe I could save that moolah.  But Jeremy sees it differently.  He told me that he sees it as a non-negotiable expense.  The same as new tires for your car or paying for your septic tank to be cleared.  That our relationship is worth investing in and keeping in tip top shape and part of that is getting to reconnect away from the chaos that is our norm.  And I get his point….not that I want to admit that he is right….but he is totally right.

However, I am the type of person that puts things in order….and if date night wasn’t intrinsically important to me, it sat on the bottom of the list.  But I wanted that to change.  I wanted date night to be more of a priority.  One of the things that I have learned about myself is that when I want something to be important, I have to invest a little money in it.  Not everyone is this way.  But I am.  I realized that I needed to start investing in date night….not a lot….but just a bit….and it would instantly become more of a priority because in my mind, if we didn’t go, I wasted that money.  So that’s why I’m here today!  I am here to share some really cute date night outfits that don’t break the bank and help me make reconnecting more of a priority….along with a bunch of other added benefits (boosting my confidence, making the ole waistline feel cozier, etc.).

These are all from the largest online thrift store, thredUP, which is one of my favorite websites for finding high-quality clothing at a huge discount..  They sell all the brand name and even designer clothing items for women and kids at a fraction of the retail price.  A lot of them still have the original tags on them!

And they have TONS of options.  My wardrobe is in constant flux (mostly because I have been pregnant, nursing or both for the majority of the last nine years) and things that fit eight months ago do not always fit the same.  Using thredUP, I can find date night outfits that seamlessly transition into my wardrobe for everyday and still I can put that emphasis on date night.

Here are my current top five favorite ways to style an outfit for date night that don’t break the bank!

 

LITTLE RED DRESS

I found this adorable little red dress and the drapey swing style was super comfortable and perfect for the warming weather here in Georgia.  I could totally pair this with sandals and a fun necklace for a summer date.  The price is amazing for such a versatile piece too….only $20 down from $60!

If the date was more of a casual style (think dinner and a movie which is probably 90% of what our dates look like!), I could pair it with jeans and a cardigan to still get that sexy yet comfortable style.

I popped a pair of wedges on to still give it a bit of dress-up-i-ness but let’s be honest here….this is probably about as comfortable as pajamas.

BLACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

I love me a good black dress….but sometimes a girl just wants to ooze classic chic without having to worry about flashing the paparazzi.  That is why one of my favorite date night outfits is to wear black from head to toe.

I think the key to this outfit to have personality is to have a pair of spicy heels.  These Nine West heels were only $25 – that’s almost 80% off!!  That’s ridiculous.  The outfit is versatile enough to wear all day long with flats but when it’s time for a date, a little bit of a heel – especially in an animal print – will elevate your entire outfit….literally and figuratively!

ADD SOME SPARKLE

Another way to take an all black outfit up a notch is to add some sparkle.  I snagged this gray sequined cardigan for $13 and it is a simple pop of fancy for a great price.  It would be a simple update to your wardrobe that you’ll probably save for special occasions.  I like to style it with all black to make it feel a little more rock-n-roll and the black outfit underneath is super slimming.

ADD SHEER DELIGHT

Jeremy really likes me in light blue and I knew when I saw this $13 dress (originally $45), that he would love the look.  I tend to shy away from maxi dresses but for that price and the flattering sheer bottom of the skirt….even if I wore this only one time, it would have been worth it.  Plus, the grecian style on top is always flattering!  I have to admit that I feel very Mother of Dragons in this dress!

KNOW YOUR COLOR

I got this raspberry red Old Navy dress for only $10 and it is the perfect color and style to take from day to night.  I love updating the wardrobe with such versatile pieces!  Above you can see how it looks with just sandals for a casual everyday feel….and then below I added heels and that cardigan to make it evening attire.  But the real reason I want to draw attention to this dress (besides the amazing price) is that the color is great for my skin tone.  I know I always feel more confident in this color and it always flatters me.  Finding your own color is really helpful when shopping for date night – especially if your ‘fit’ is elusive!

So those are some of my best tips on updating your wardrobe to have some versatile pieces that transition from day to date night!

Make sure you check out the thredUP site everyday too because things are constantly coming in and the best items go FAST!  And thredUP is offering Bower Power readers a special discount!  The first 100 people to use code BOWER30 will get an extra 30% off their first purchase on thredUP! (Applies to new U.S. customers only, items under $150).  Go on girl!  Get your date night on!

So what is your go-to outfit for date night?  Do you guys do a dinner and a movie thing or a fancy night out?  I have to admit pants are a favorite for me because I’m always cold!  But the thredUP selection of dresses has me rethinking my entire date night attire!