Written by Sonia Su
Figuring out what to wear for a date night can be challenging. You want to make sure you come across as having put in at least some extra effort, while incorporating your personal style that will be your date notice.
If you're looking for some inspiration for date night outfits—whether for a first date, coffee date, dinner date, or a very special occasion, you've come to the right place. We've compiled below a comprehensive guide with 10 men's date night outfit ideas so you can feel confident while leaving a lasting impression.
What Should a Guy Wear on Date Night?
While there isn't a strict dress code for date night outfits for men, as it largely depends on the venue, the type of date, and individual style, certain guidelines can help create a polished look:
- Casual Date: For a casual setting like a café or a relaxed dinner, opt for smart casual attire such as a well-fitted shirt paired with jeans or chinos.
- Semi-Formal Date: If the date involves a more formal setting like a nice restaurant or theater, consider a dressier outfit like a suit jacket or a blazer paired with tailored trousers. Check out our guides on what to wear to a symphony, what to wear to a Broadway show, and what to wear to the opera.
- Theme-Based Date: Some dates might have specific themes or activities, like a beach stroll or an outdoor picnic, where comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing is key.
- Personal Style: Ultimately, it's crucial to reflect your own style while ensuring your attire is neat, well-fitted, and appropriate for the occasion.
Here are 10 outfit ideas that offer versatility to suit various settings and preferences, ensuring you look and feel your best for that special date night.
Classic Casual
A T-shirt does not have to be boring! A well-fitted white or solid-colored T-shirt paired with dark jeans and a tailored denim jacket creates a timeless, laid-back look. Check out Nimble Made's classic white crewneck T-shirt and V-neck shirt. Be sure to also consult our T-shirt size calculator for the perfect fit.
Smart Casual
First dates and first impressions can be intimidating, but you can't go wrong by opting for this kind of outfit. It might even fit into your office dress code, making it even easier to prepare for your date.
Even if it isn't your first date, combine a crisp button-down shirt with slim-fitted chinos and suede loafers for a polished yet relaxed appearance. Nimble Made offers a white patterned dress shirt designed to add a touch of uniqueness to your date outfit. Here are also guides on how to wear a dress shirt with jeans and how to wash a dress shirt.
Dapper Denim
Elevate your style by donning a chambray shirt, dark jeans, and a tailored blazer for a stylish, modern look. Check out our guides on what is chambray fabric, how to wear a blazer with jeans, and the difference between a sports coat and a blazer.
Monochrome Magic
Consider an all-black attire with black jeans, a fitted black shirt, and a black leather jacket or bomber jacket for an edgy, sleek appearance. Browse Nimble Made's black dress shirts.
Suave Suit
Embrace sophistication with a well-fitted suit, whether it's a classic navy or a sleek charcoal, paired with a crisp dress shirt.
When it comes to suits, be sure to check out our helpful guides on pairing a navy suit with a black shirt, blue suit with brown shoes, gray suit with a black shirt—as well as our suit size calculator, fit guide, and how to buy a suit guide to ensure you look your best for your date.
If you're curious about colors, here are our picks on the 7 best suit colors.
Print Perfection
Make a statement by incorporating a plaid shirt or other patterned shirt or a boldly printed jacket, paired with neutral-colored trousers for balance. Browse all of Nimble Made's patterned shirts and plaid shirts.
Layered Look
Best for the fall and winter, experiment with layers by combining a crewneck sweater over a collared shirt, finished with tailored pants and dress shoes. Learn more about this sleek pairing with our guide on how to wear a sweater over a dress shirt. Make sure to check out our guides for more men's winter fashion tips and how to wear a turtleneck sweater with a suit.
Relaxed Romance
Embrace comfort with a lightweight sweater or a soft knit polo paired with tailored joggers or relaxed-fit trousers. Here are our picks for the best men's polos.
Casual Cool
Opt for a casual T-shirt or a polo shirt with slim-fitted shorts and stylish sneakers for a relaxed yet trendy vibe. Browse Nimble Made's men's casual T-shirts.
Sophisticated Simplicity
Especially if you're going for a nice first date, keep it simple with a well-tailored dress shirt, dress pants, and classic leather shoes for a timeless, refined appearance. Be sure to add some high-quality leather accessories to complete the date outfit.
Tips for Casual Dinner Date Outfits
Whether it's your first date or you're going to drinks with that special person, here are some tips for a men's casual dinner date outfit:
- Fitted Shirt: Opt for a well-fitted, button-down shirt in a solid color or subtle pattern. Rolled-up sleeves can add a relaxed touch to your date outfit.
- Jeans or Chinos: Pair your shirt with well-fitted jeans, chinos, or tailored trousers. Dark-wash jeans or neutral-colored chinos often work well for a smart casual look.
- Footwear: Choose footwear that complements your outfit and the setting. Clean sneakers, stylish loafers, or suede shoes can be great options. Pair your footwear with Nimble Made's dress socks, or check out our guide on no-show socks for men.
- Layers (Optional): Depending on the weather, consider adding a casual jacket or sweater. A bomber jacket or a lightweight knit sweater can elevate the look.
- Accessories: Keep it minimal but add a little detail to your outfit by wearing a watch. Avoid overdoing accessories for a casual date.
- Grooming: Pay attention to grooming. A clean shave or a well-maintained beard, neatly styled hair, and trimmed nails always enhance the overall appearance of your date outfit.
Remember, the key is to strike a balance between comfort and style, ensuring you look put-together without appearing overly formal for a casual date.
Men's Summer Date Night Outfit Ideas
Playing with colors, patterns, and textures while keeping comfort in mind can help create a winning summer date night outfit. Adjust according to the venue and the level of formality for the occasion. Here are a few summer outfits for men to consider:
Casual Cool
Try slim-fitted chinos or linen trousers paired with a short-sleeved button-down shirt or a lightweight polo. Complete the look with loafers or clean white sneakers for a relaxed yet stylish appearance.
Smart Casual
Opt for tailored shorts paired with a crisp, short-sleeved shirt or a lightweight blazer for a more refined look. Boat shoes or suede loafers can add a touch of sophistication.
Laid-Back Sophistication
Consider a breathable linen or cotton shirt paired with well-fitted jeans or tailored trousers. Roll up the sleeves and add a stylish watch or bracelet to elevate the ensemble.
Summer Suit
For a dressier occasion, choose a light-colored or linen suit. Pair it with a simple white or pastel-colored shirt and suede loafers or dress shoes for a classy yet season-appropriate look.
Men's Date Night Outfits Bottom Line
Crafting the perfect outfit for a dinner date is all about showcasing your style while ensuring comfort and confidence. Nimble Made offers some of the best selections of clothes and accessories for men that will impress.
Whether it's a casual rendezvous or a semi-formal affair, the right blend of well-fitted clothing, appropriate footwear, and subtle accessories can make a lasting impression.
The key takeaway is to embrace your individuality, allowing your outfit to reflect your personality and making the evening a memorable one. Remember, the best attire makes you feel at ease and exudes charm, creating the ideal ambiance for a delightful dining experience. Good luck and have fun!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As a fashion enthusiast and expert, I have devoted years to studying and exploring the world of men's fashion. I have a deep understanding of various concepts and principles that guide the selection of outfits for different occasions. Through my firsthand experience and extensive knowledge, I can confidently provide you with information related to the concepts used in this article.
The article focuses on helping men choose the perfect outfit for a date night. It offers 10 men's date night outfit ideas that cater to various settings and personal preferences. The aim is to ensure that men feel confident and make a lasting impression on their dates.
The article begins by emphasizing the importance of incorporating personal style into the outfit while making an effort to look polished. It suggests different dress codes based on the type of date and venue. For a casual date, it recommends smart casual attire such as a well-fitted shirt paired with jeans or chinos. For a semi-formal date, a dressier outfit like a suit jacket or a blazer paired with tailored trousers is suggested. Additionally, the article acknowledges that some dates may have specific themes or activities, requiring comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing.
To provide further guidance, the article presents 10 outfit ideas that offer versatility for various settings. These include the classic casual look with a white or solid-colored T-shirt paired with dark jeans and a tailored denim jacket. The smart casual outfit suggests a crisp button-down shirt with slim-fitted chinos and suede loafers. The dapper denim look combines a chambray shirt, dark jeans, and a tailored blazer. Monochrome magic suggests an all-black attire with black jeans, a fitted black shirt, and a black leather jacket. The suave suit look recommends a well-fitted suit paired with a crisp dress shirt. The print perfection outfit encourages making a statement with a plaid or patterned shirt or a boldly printed jacket. The layered look suggests experimenting with layers by combining a crewneck sweater over a collared shirt. Relaxed romance embraces comfort with a lightweight sweater or a soft knit polo paired with tailored joggers or relaxed-fit trousers. The casual cool outfit suggests a casual T-shirt or a polo shirt with slim-fitted shorts and stylish sneakers. Lastly, the sophisticated simplicity look keeps it simple with a well-tailored dress shirt, dress pants, and classic leather shoes.
The article also provides tips specifically for men's casual dinner date outfits. It recommends opting for a well-fitted, button-down shirt in a solid color or subtle pattern. It suggests pairing the shirt with well-fitted jeans, chinos, or tailored trousers. The choice of footwear should complement the outfit and the setting. It also suggests considering adding a casual jacket or sweater depending on the weather. Minimal but thoughtful accessories, attention to grooming, and finding the right balance between comfort and style are also highlighted.
For summer date night outfits, the article suggests playing with colors, patterns, and textures while keeping comfort in mind. It offers outfit ideas such as slim-fitted chinos or linen trousers paired with a short-sleeved button-down shirt or a lightweight polo. Tailored shorts paired with a crisp, short-sleeved shirt or a lightweight blazer are also recommended. Other options include a breathable linen or cotton shirt paired with well-fitted jeans or tailored trousers, as well as a light-colored or linen suit paired with a simple white or pastel-colored shirt.
In conclusion, the article serves as a comprehensive guide for men to choose the perfect outfit for a date night. It provides outfit ideas for different settings and occasions, emphasizing the importance of personal style and comfort. By following the suggestions and incorporating their own individuality, men can create a memorable and charming dining experience for their dates.
