How to dress for a date in a pandemic
Alexa Chung once said that on a date she likes to wear a slightly unbuttoned silk shirt with jeans and ballet flats. The combination makes her look laidback and feel relaxed, but when men hug her goodbye they remember the feeling of silk on their skin. Genius.
Yet the advice is also completely unusable at a time when the only dates people can go on are taking place outdoors in autumn and hugging is practically illegal.
Ironically, this is the year we need advice on what to wear for a date more than ever. Daily activity on Tinder by women under 35 has grown by a whopping 40 percent since March – and it’s not just the young who are embracing all things app-related. With the launch of Facebook’s new matchmaking site and the expansion of Hinge and Plenty of Fish, online dating has skyrocketed across all age groups as people try to avoid a long lockdown winter alone.
A good outfit is key to a good date – if only to make you feel more confident – and most women have their own particular uniform perfected by the time they hit 30. What that is varies for everyone but it’s usually a mash-up of clothes that accentuate the parts of your body you like the best, clothes that say something about who you are, and clothes that don’t look like you’ve tried too hard (while actually trying quite hard).
But how do you translate all this into a coat and scarf? And is it even possible to look attractive while walking through a cold park in the drizzle? The answer is yes, it just takes a bit of creativity. Here are some style suggestions that hopefully even Alexa would approve of.
The first-date drizzly park walk (all tiers)
Dressing has got a lot more difficult for this classic pandemic date since the change in seasons. Gone are the floral dresses, flat sandals and bottles of rosé on a picnic rug, and in are hot chocolates and coats, coats, coats.
Greys, blacks and browns are always chic for outerwear, but in the absence of being able to show off a nice top or a pretty skirt, this is the ideal time to go for a great colour - especially since so few of us need to look smart for the office.
So instead of practical, opt for a bit of joy in this winter of outdoor socialising – be it rose-pink or pumpkin orange – as it really does add instant character to a rainy-day look. Shape-wise, most women look best in something straight and belted as it gives definition to the silhouette.
In films, sharing an umbrella in the rain usually leads to some kind of kiss, but the combination of an infectious virus and British autumnal wind have felled a double blow to that idea. If you’re just dealing with a light drizzle, leave the brolly at home and wear a fedora instead – they flatter most faces and if you're worried about felt getting ruined by rain, try Maison Michel or Barbour for showerproof hats. And for anyone getting to the park on foot, this might be the one occasion this year when you don’t need to wear a mask – so why not try a dash of red lipstick?
Mustard trenchcoat £150 COS; wool wrap coat £235 Whistles
The second-date pub lunch outside (tiers one and two)
If the weather plays ball and the heaters are hot enough, this could be your first coat-off encounter, which means you want a really good knit and some great earrings. Don't worry too much about shirts or tops as the temperature makes it unlikely anyone will see them. Instead have a look at Sandro, which does a good line in ruffle top jumpers that are stylish and slightly sweet, with that insouciant French vibe about them that makes you look like you've made a bit of an effort (but not too much).
Cardigans are also on trend this season, and if you want to set pulses racing amid the damp leaves, wear an oversized, V-neck knitted number buttoned up to the top but without a shirt or T-shirt underneath – Ganni has some lovely ones, as does Arket but at half the price. On your bottom half, jeans, velvet trousers or a long skirt will all work well, just make sure they're warm enough to withstand two courses outside.
Add some thick Otiumberg gold hoop earrings, which look so good with knits, you might be glad you’re not dressed up in a steamy candle-lit bar. Well, until it starts raining again.
Cardigan £214 Ganni; jumper £239 Sandro
The third-date early dinner in a restaurant (tier one)
Once upon a time, asking for the bill at 9.30pm was the sign of a flop of a date. But in 2020 Britain it feels positively racy – and makes you the envy of everyone currently banned from doing so.
But while – joy of joys – you definitely do get to take your coat off this time, the early curfew and the absolute non-possibility of going on anywhere afterwards has made the whole event more casual than it once was. Gone are heels in a year where comfort is prioritised above all else, and gone is lipstick for anyone who has had to take a taxi or public transport to dinner.
On the bright side, that gives you the perfect opportunity to mix high-low dressing like a pro. Wear a colourful, slightly silky wrap or waisted dress with this season’s biker boots – or with a pair of black knee-high boots if you want something more delicate. Cefinn, Toast and & Other Stories all have lovely collections of soft, flattering, feminine dresses in racing green, burnt orange and buttery cream this season – and if you are brave enough, opt for bare legs to show a hint of shin between your dress and the boots. Who said pandemic dating couldn't be sexy?
Floral dress £75 & Other Stories; print dress £270 Cefinn
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