Here's How to Dress Up for a Date Night at Home

Remember when dating used to be grabbing drinks at a bar or meeting up at restaurants? Needless to say, things have changed. Dating is a weird, complicated affair when you’re mainly at home all the time, but with some effort and a little imagination, it’s still possible to capture that romantic mood. At least there’s a silver lining to a cozy, stay at home date–choosing an ensemble is way less complicated. For one, the need for fancy heels are much less of a priority, and if that Bolognese sauce stains your top halfway through the meal, no pressure–your closet is just around the corner. 

So what are some easy date-night outfits for a rendezvous at home? Don’t fret–we’ve got some ideas (10 to be exact) about how to achieve that wow factor without the fuss. Whether you’ve been together for years or are at the start of a blossoming romance, these 10 outfits will make you feel right on the money. 

1. KNIT WRAP TOP + KNIT PANTS

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(Image credit: @aimeesong)

Knit sets were the unofficial uniform of last year; they strike that elusive mix of cozy, chic, and effortless. We say, it's more the reason to try one for date-night. A figure-hugging silhouette and deep v neckline elevate this to a dressier standard. 

2. PLUNGE BODYSUIT + ANIMAL PRINT PANTS

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Chances are there's a black bodysuit sitting in your wardrobe already. In this case, repurpose it with loose-fitting animal print pants (or stretchy for maximum comfort!) and sparkly earrings for extra pizazz. 

3. CUT OUT CARDIGAN + MAXI SKIRT

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(Image credit: @ali_tate_cutler)

It doesn't get much more seductive than a cut-out top. A maxi skirt provides a nice low-key contrast to the drama on top. 

4. MONOCHROME WHITE CARDIGAN + TROUSERS

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(Image credit: @monikh)

Winter whites are just elegant, period. Wear the cardigan as a top and unbuttoned halfway for a flirty take. If wine is on the date-night agenda, just keep a stain remover pen at the ready. 

5. OFF THE SHOULDER DRESS + LACE UP SHOES

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Sweet-heart necklines are the ultimate date-night look. To keep it more casual, add a pair of masculine lace up shoes (only if you're a shoes in the house kind of person!).

6. OVERSIZE PAJAMA SET

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(Image credit: @micaelaverrelien)

By now we know that pajamas are multi-purpose. Sleeper does an excellent job of elevating the nighttime basic, like this crisp white oversize set. Add some hoop earrings or cozy house shoes to make the look feel more intentional for an intimate dinner. 

7. STATEMENT BODYSUIT + BOYFRIEND JEANS + CHUNKY NECKLACE

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(Image credit: @lisafolawiyo)

Bodysuits to the rescue yet again! This time the look leans more casual with the introduction of loose-fitting boyfriend jeans. Accentuate a dramatic neckline with a chunky gold necklace. 

8. SLIP DRESS + DIAMANTE HOOP EARRINGS

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(Image credit: @meccajw)

Dresses are a powerful time-saving tool in your date-night outfit arsenal because you only need one piece. While structured dresses can feel too stuffy in a home setting, a slinky slip version feels more relaxed yet, sophisticated. Should you want to dress it up even further, might we suggest these blingy diamante hoops. 

9. MINI SKIRT + TURTLENECK + BLAZER

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(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

For an outfit that's cute yet still easy-going, pair a mini skirt with a casual relaxed blazer. 

10. BACKLESS TOP + SWEATPANTS

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(Image credit: @huesofwhite)

At this point half of our lives are spent in sweatpants, so why should you stop now? For a sporty take that still reveals some skin, add a sexy backless top and polished gold earrings. 

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated. 

Next, 5 Items You Need If You Live in a Puffer Jacket Every Winter

Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor for Who What Wear, focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.