The Secret To The Perfect Date Outfit: Confidence In Every Layer

Your emergency guide to shutting down the pre-date spiral.

POSTED BY EILIS LYNASS

My favourite part of dating? Dressing up.

I love the attention I suddenly pay to my makeup and hair, and how intentional every part of my outfit becomes. It’s like playing a real-life game of dress to impress.  

Still, I’ve had my fair share of pre-date panics too; suddenly nothing fits right, nothing goes together, and, of course, your shoes decide now's the time to start squeaking.

Between wondering whether you’ll like them or whether they’ll like you, the last thing you need is a wardrobe-induced meltdown.

So... What’s the secret?

The absolute rule is comfort.

Nothing is worse than feeling nervous and uncomfortable, and nothing is less attractive than looking it. If you’re in a panic, clear your mind and keep things simple.

Start by building your outfit around one piece. Ideally, your favourite top or blouse. If it’s your fave, then you already know two things:

1. You feel great in it.

2. You look great in it.

Easy.

When it comes to footwear, keep things flat. Platforms? Cute. Heels? Hell. You want to flirt, not wobble.

Dresses are almost always a yes. But sometimes they give off a very ‘I tried’ vibe, and if that freaks you out, go for a skirt. Same beautiful silhouette, way more chilled-out edge.

Now, cardigan or jacket?

Cardigans: Soft, romantic and scream sweetness.

A jacket: Cool, casual and very ‘oh this? I just threw it on.’

Dealer's choice. 

At the end of the day, dating can be stressful, but picking your outfit shouldn’t be. So, keep your clothes comfy and they’ll keep you confident. If you need more inspiration, give one of our Fizzypicks a try:

ASOS
Swing mini dress 
 $37.99

 

ASOS
Asymmetric cami top
 $44.99

 

  Classic Opaque Tights

ZARA
Buttoned Rustic Top 
 $39.90

 

KIMCHI BLUE
Trim Babydoll Sweater
 $34.50

 

Dark brown bomber jacket set with a lapel collar and long sleeves, brown skirt, and black tall boots.

ZARA 
Suede Bomber Jacket
 $99.90

 

Chloe Knit Shrug Set, zoom image 0

REFORMATION 
Chloe set
 $112

 

Bimba y Lola drawstring mock-neck top

BIMBA Y LOLA
Drawstring mock-neck top
 $231

 

Burgundy loafer set with lug platform sole, black pants, and blue and white plaid shirt.

ZARA
Loafer with Platform
 $69.90

 

ASOS
Leather-look collar jacket
 $119

 

Nanushka Jazlyn top

NANUSHKA
Jazlyn top
 $132

 

Dark anthracite wrap top with side clasp and long sleeves, matching wide-leg pants, and black ankle boots.

ZARA
Side brooch top
 $45.90

 

Kimchi Blue Pointelle Knit Tie-Back Cropped Shrug Cardigan

KIMCHI BLUE
Tie-back shrug cardigan
 $34.50

 

ASOS
Mesh exaggerated sleeve top
 $27.99

 

Moon River Corduroy Collar Oversized Red Barn Jacket #1

MOON RIVER
Corduroy oversized Barn jacket
 $132

 

Axel Arigato Celine ribbed cardigan | Cardigans | Image 2

AXEL ARIGATO
Celine ribbed cardigan
 $370

 

Marc Jacobs lace-up panelled sneakers

MARK JACOBS
Lace-up panelled sneakers
 $250

 

NEW BALANCE
991 v2 Sneakers
 $270

 

b+ab argyle buttoned cardigan and skirt set

B+AB
Argyle buttoned cardigan & skirt set 
 $288

 
Uma Wang pomegranate-print slip midi dress

UMA WANG
Pomegranate-print slip midi 
 $696

 
Bimba y Lola v-neck midi dress

BIMBA Y LOLA
V-neck midi
 $255

UP NEXT ON THE HITLIST
Ok