42 Perfect Date-Night Dresses That Will Get You Out of Your Dating Slump

Let's be real: The process of dating can be either delightful or downright draining. No matter your age, where you live, or who you choose to court, chances are you've experienced dating fatigue at some point—frankly, I don't blame you! It takes a ton of effort to plan a date, and despite our best efforts we all likely have had one (or many) bad dates before that make you want to skip going out altogether. Even if you've been lucky enough to already find your person or have a great group of friends, making time for a special night out isn't always easy. You not only have to carve out space on your calendar but choosing what to do is anotther challenge. Do you go to the ballet? Splurge on concert tickets? Spend the afternoon at an art museum? Or try to get a reservation at a buzzy restaurant? The options are seemingly endless.
And then there's possibly the most overwhelming aspect of all: choosing what to wear. With so much pressure surrounding the process, it's easy to see why so many would fall into a dating slump. Luckily for all of us, there's one simple solution: dresses. When you don't want to spend hours trying to pick out an outfit a pretty dress can be your saving grace. So, in an effort to help you get your groove back, I've taken to rounding up some of the 42 best date-night dresses at various price points to show how this simple wardrobe item can make the process of dating so much more delightful. Get ready to redownload your dating apps, light up the group chat, or clear your calendar because you'll want to make plans after you see these dresses…
Is it just me or does this remind you of the dress Jenna Rink wore in 13 Going on 30?
If they don't swoon at the sight of you in this dress, they're not The One.
How could you not fall in love with the floral lace pannels on this dress?
You can also shop this strapless dress in four other colorways, including pink, blue, yellow and white.
The dress above goes well with sandals and a clutch in the summer or knee-high boots and a leather trench in the fall.
My inner romantic is losing it over this two-tone strapless number.
Whether you're heading out for dinner or to a wedding, this simple slip dress will work wonders.
Pro tip: Pleats are a great way to look put-together without having to opt for a skintight silhoutte.
I will need 3–5 business days to process this dress—it's too hot to handle.
The keyhole cutouts transform this black sweaterdress from simple to sultry.
I'm a sucker for an open-back dress.
Please take a second to zoom-in to see the 3D rosettes on the side of this dress.
Remind them you're the best gift they have with this black minidress adorned with a crystal bow.
Rest assured, jaws will drop when you wear this dress.
The draped neckline on this dress is so flattering, without being too overtly revealing for a first-date.
Now, this is the type of dress you want to pack for a weekend getaway with your partner.
For those evenings when you don't know what to wear, having a minimal slip dress on hand will come in handy.
On a balmy evening, a linen maxi dress will ensure you look (and stay) cool.
Can't think of a better dress to wear from dinner to drinks to the dance floor—it does it all!
Leave it to Zara to make the perfect black halter dress for date night.
Nothing says, "I'm a cool girl" better than showing up for date night in a T-shirt dress.
Get the most out of your purchase by investing in a more staple-forward dress style with a more sultry element like a tank dress with a cutout.
What better way to put your skin back in the dating game than with a sheer lace dress?
The lace-up detail on the side of this dress adds a bit of drama to this otherwise minimal silhouette.
I was sold the second I saw the brass hardware on this dress.
A camisole dress is always a safe bet for date night, but if you want to spice it up, shop for one with unique details like this one from Sergio Hudson that features contrasting layered chiffon.
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.
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