Simply Swanky: 3 Date Night Looks He'll Love

“Getting ready for date night has become a fun theater pop-up in my head! I get so much pleasure with the details of creating a look!”

I get it! Every date is not all about a production. I also get that not everyone even cares. For those who do, this is for you. For those who don’t, you just may want to save this one in file #2 (the “I’ll come back to it later” drawer)…I’m just saying!

I LOVE getting dressed to go out with my husband. He seems to think that I have a rendering of theater going on in my head about the entire date (that’s another story for another post). Ha! I do! I love the anticipation of a date. I love the details. I love the thought put into it. I love playing it out in my head before it happens. Am I going too far? LOL. Am I the only one? I think at least my fellow creatives can attest to some part of the process. Yes? Maybe? *fingers crossed*

Below, I’ve featured THREE date night ensembles (or for solo endeavors or “I just want to do me” endeavors) that I’ve worn on dates with my love. For the record, again, if you could care less about a date night, fine! Wear these outfits or a variation wherever you please, whenever for yourself by yourself! It’s all good.

Maxi dresses aren’t just for the summer! Neither is a good off the shoulder number! This outfits screams sexy, chic, and effortless. I am a girl who loves to layer, so by all means never mind the sweater if you want to show off those curves! I encourage that too! I also love a good color combo of (MY) colors! From a swank coffee cafe,’ to a mod museum visit, this ensemble offers simplicity, movement, texture and a brightness to a Fall day. Pair with a nice boot/bootie or with a funky sneaker.

A jumpsuit will always be one of my favorites! Especially if it fits like this one does (I’m shorter but have long legs so the fit is not always easy). Some of you are probably saying, “But it’s cold and this doesn’t have sleeves.” Two options for ya: 1.) Outerwear! With cooler temps, you’re going to have some form of coat on anyway, right? Right. Check your coat and be fabulous. 2.) Try layering a sheer, mesh, or lace long sleeve top underneath. You can also pair your jumpsuit with a duster or shawl. This look is great for an evening dinner or performance. Or go dancing with your date and watch how he gazes at you (please report your findings LOL). Jumpsuits are so versatile and flirty all at once!

Ah, shoulder action! I LOVE my shoulders and I love to bare them often! LOL. It gives just enough sexy coupled with a sweetness that’s undeniable! I’m a distressed jeans gal too! Sorry. Not sorry. If you’re not, the look is just as good with skinnies or fitted jeans. I like the great balance of this funky peplum sweater that I scored from a Resale Pop Up and the slim fit of my jeans. Whatever you do, please be sure that your outfit displays harmony (a mix of fitted and chunky or flowy). Variations of this outfit include an oversized, off the shoulder sweater and jeans or a cute tunic sweater and liquid leggings. Destination: Casual dinner or a relaxed, but still dashing event. The last thing I’ll mention is the miracle of a well-made peplum top! For those who have mid-section concerns, this top is on the “miracle worker” list. Period.

The Wrap Dress + 3 ways to style it!

“Wrap dresses for me are like the ultimate display of femininity. There’s nothing more sexy, sweet or confident than a woman in a wrap dress. Period. ”

Wrap dresses are my favorite for several reasons. At the top of my list: they look good on everyBODY! Really! Below, I show three additional ways to rock the wrap dress besides the traditional way.

• Rock your wrap dress as a DUSTER! This is such a great way to add print, movement, texture, or color to a basic outfit. You can also pair your “wrap dress duster” with another dress (sheath or another straight style).

• Rock your wrap dress as a two-piece with a moto vest or jacket. Another way is to piece with a distressed denim jacket to add some funk.

• I’ve even paired my wrap dresses with graphic tees (below), leggings and jeans (I love dresses with jeans!) to add interest to the classic dress!

Come on! Get creative with your classic items in your closet! I dare YOU!!!

The Crime I Committed While Wearing A Yellow Lace Dress

Kimberly Simmons and Nina Gordon.

I had weeks.

No.

I had months to prepare for my twenty-year high school reunion Honors Gala (King Crusader).  I didn't prepare. You know why don't you? You're right. I didn't because I had months! Don't act like you don't know how that is! You say, day after day, "I got time." Then,you really don't!

It was seven days before the big day. Still nothing. I hadn't even thought about it until I ran into a classmate of mine who began talking about her attire for that evening.  It wasn't that I didn't think it was important. It's just, well, my schedule! No excuse, right?  That's mine and I'm sticking to it. Well, she shared a few pictures of her dress and I loved it! I asked where she found it and her next words made my stomach drop! FASHION NOVA!

I was completely shocked! Shocked for many reasons.  The first being that I'd been hearing about this company a lot lately (and seeing celebrities on the gram advertising their wears) and recently decided to give their infamous jeans a try. Guess what? They fit like nobody's business! Anyone who is shaped like me, knows exactly why this is a win-win situation.  Anyway.  The other reason why I was shocked was because the dress that she showed me looked AMAZING. 

Now before all of you name loving, couture wearing, high fashion loving peeps start judging, know that  I am on a journey to transition my entire wardrobe from fast fashion to slow fashion (I'll talk about these terms in another blog), BUT I - AM - NOT  - THERE - (YET)! Also, check your entire closet stock to be sure that everything was made in organic materials and that the making involved fair employment practices, it's made locally, and that it's not mass produced. Need I go on? If you can answer yes to at least these, then congratulations! If you can't, hush chile!

Jessica LeMelle. We've been friends since 9th grade. Oh the stories!

Now about the crime I committed: I SLAYED IN A FASHION NOVA DRESS! Yes, I slayed the dress honey! I murdered. I killed it. I put to death all the critics (there aren't any of those in real life, right?).  I'll say so myself! LOL. Like I said in my promo of this post, no one was hurt. As a matter of fact, all who encountered this yellow, lace FASHION NOVA DRESS were quite pleased! Ok? Well, at least I was. I enjoyed the color (you'll be hearing more about color in future posts), I enjoyed the ease and comfort and I loved how it hugged my curves just right.  I was worried that my 49.99 dress would unravel as soon as I pulled it out of the box.  IT. DID. NOT.

Latisha Hawkins and Tiffany Cobb.

I created beautiful memories with my high school classmates from twenty years ago in a FASHION NOVA DRESS! We reminisced about the "good ole days" and caught up with each other like we'd never missed a beat. We danced, sang, cried (yes, my eyes started to water a few times), laughed out loud (not the fake "lol" that we text people) and we took millions of pictures!

Jabari Long. "He's the Boss" and "She's the Boss" awardees.

Allen B Williams Photography

Then something happened that was a complete surprise to me. My name was called. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive an award. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive the "She's the Boss" Award. My name was called to get out of my seat to receive the "She's the Boss" Award in front of about 120 of my lovely peers in MY FASHION NOVA DRESS! Take that.

Here's to creating beautiful, meaningful memories that you shall keep close to you forever, as you wear WHATEVER YOU WANT!

NOW, excuse me while I go take another peek at my yellow, lace dress. IT. JUST. MAKES. ME HAPPY.

Until next time,

Denitra

*Thumbnail Photo Credit: Fancy Flash Photo Booth