Ever since I was little, there was nothing I loved more than dressing up, and as an adult, this is still true. Of course, having a reason to get dressed up over the past few years has waxed and waned depending upon lockdown measures. Luckily, as cities around the globe begin to ease restrictions, there are a host of things to get dressed up for again—a night at the opera, agallery opening,a wedding, and, best of all, date night. There’s nothing more lovely, in my opinion, than slipping into the perfect dress and hitting the town with your loved one. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I, too, overthinkwhat to wear for a date.
Depending on what you have planned for date night, the climate, and your style, the ensemble choices for the evening can be infinite, which is why having a great date-night dress on hand is the safest call. Dresses work for any situation (such as acasual dinner dateor tickets to the ballet). You just have to find the right dress for the occasion. You won’t have to search too hard, though, as I’ve rounded up 55 of the best date-night dresses to shop online right now. From sweet to spicy, casual to formal, there’s a dress ahead for every type of rendezvous.
Under $150:
Zara
Midi Bustier Dress
Pair this dress with strappy sandals and you’ll be serving a look.
& Other Stories
Square Neck Midi Dress
I’d wear this for a night at the art museum.
Resa
Alex Mini Dress in Matisse
Perfect for a balmy night.
Reformation
Alden Dress
Carrie Bradshaw would wear this.
Zara
Asymmetric Midi Dress
The straps on this dress are stunning.
Mango
Knit Dress Bra Effect
What better dress to wear with your sweetheart than one with a sweetheart neckline?
Michael Lauren
Igor Dress in Black
They won’t be able to keep their eyes off of you in this.
Open Edit
Print Shift Dress
The subtle back cutout on this dress will have them swooning over you.
H&M
Fine-Knit Dress
Minimalists, this is all you.
Anthropologie
Mini Slip Dress
Slip dresses are always a safe bet.
Urban Outfitters
Betty Collared Mini Dress
I love the scalloping on this dress so much.
Lna
Miah Rib Tank Dress
Keyhole cutouts, FTW.
Mango
Asymmetrical Ruffle Dress
Mango never fails.
Lioness
No Love Loss Dress
Draping is one of spring’s biggest trends, so this dress is a must-shop.
Simple Retro
Magnolia Printed Floral Yellow Midi Dress
You can’t star inBridgerton, but you can wear this dress on your next date.
The Drop
Makenna Strappy Cross Front Smocked Back Midi Dress
Ideal for a dinner date, don't you think?
Glamorous
Halter Cutout Dress
The bolder the better.
ASOS Design
Satin Batwing Bias Cut Maxi Dress in Chocolate
Fancy nights out require you to go all out.
& Other Stories
Sweetheart Neck Midi Dress
It’s casual enough for a last-minute date but still so chic.
With Jéan
Chalk and Flowers Hermana Dress
A little skin is never a bad idea.
Nasty Gal
Satin High Neck Belted Midi Dress
Prefer to dress on the more modest side? Enter: the cutest satin midi.
En Saison
Sveta Shirred Poplin Midi Dress
The perfect little white dress.
Heiress Beverly Hills
Blue Chain Cutout Maxi Dress
Imagine their face when they see you in this.
Mango
Cut-Out Ruched Dress
Ruching is one of the most flattering details, hands down.
Eloquii
Eyelet Dress With Sheer Detail
Is this not the cutest eyelet dress you’ve ever seen?
Line & Dot
Dre Knit Dress
Add statement earrings, sandals, and a clutch bag, and you’re all set for the evening.
Nocturne
Zebra Print Dress
Dating is the Wild West, so you might as well wear an animal-print dress.
H&M
Ribbed Bodycon Dress
Go ahead and show off that gorgeous figure of yours.
I.Am.Gia
Tan Burnout Naphtalia Dress
Dreaming of wearing this dress for dinner on the Riveria.
Summer Somewhere
May Mini Dress
Call me cliché, but I’m always a fan of bows.
Tiger Mist
Hibiscus Maxi Dress
It’s my prerogative in life to get this dress for a baecation.
Under $300:
Who What Wear Collection
Drew Cutout Twist Midi Dress
I can’t tell what’s more precious about this dress—the plissé, the floral print, or the cutouts.
Saylor
Nyah Dress
I’d wear this to the theater.
Astr the Label
Cassian Dress in White
I love the idea of an off-the-shoulder dress for date night.
Reformation
Isles Linen Dress
I’mobsessedwith this dress.
Hansen + Gretel
Serpentine Dress in Cornflower
Losing it over the color of this dress.
L'Academie
The Kamille Mini Dress in Brown Multi
Need a dress you can wear to work and date night? This is for you.
Réalisation
The Alba White Strawberry Dress
You’ll look like a whole snack in this.
House of Cb
Reine Long Sleeve Silk Blend Cutout Midi Dress
It’s giving main-character energy.
Significant Other
Vienna Satin Dress
Drop subtle hints that you’re wifey material with this white satin number.
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.