Dating nags me like a sore muscle. But I’m single, so I do my fair share. Valentine’s Day is more or less a massive national date night, and I have mastered the fine art of dressing for such an occasion.
Rule one: Keep it simple. The foundation of any good date outfit is a nice, snug pair of 1 dark jeans—one that makes your rear end look like you spent the afternoon on the elliptical. MiH Bonn jeans, $220, Kayce Hughes, Westside Provisions District, kaycehughes.com
Your 2 top is up to you, but this one from Ann Mashburn can be tied up tight or low, depending on your inclination. Ann Mashburn tie-neck blouse, $325, Westside Provisions District, annmashburn.com
3 Heels are a must. Gianvito Rossi pumps, $660, Jeffrey Atlanta, Phipps Plaza, jeffreynewyork.com
But before you shimmy into all of that, prep with 4 Sweet Peach’s full-body scrub Sweet Peach scrub, $20, multiple locations, sweetpeachwax.com
and a manicure in a vampy 5 shade. OPI nail polish, $8, Beauty Bar of Buckhead, 3222 Peachtree Road, beautybarofbuckhead.com
Once you’re gussied up, take your perch at a dimly lit, beautifully appointed spot like the Luminary. I like the 6 St. Germain carafe, which is perfect for sharing. St. Germain carafe, $35, The Luminary, Krog Street Market, theluminaryatl.com
Back at your place, set the mood with some serious style and break out 7 Tivoli’s Model One Bluetooth player. Tivoli Model One Bluetooth, $260, Room & Board, Westside Provisions District, roomandboard.com
Market Linen at Westside Market has gorgeous 8 throws, ideal for cuddling under. Linen throw, $55, Westside Market Antiques & Interiors, 1530 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard, westsidemarketatl.com
Optimistic? We’ll need some pretty 9 lingerie. True & Co. will customize a fit to your tastes, then send a try-on box to your doorstep. For what may happen after that, I cannot be held accountable. True & Co. “Bryant” bralette, $58, trueandco.com
Since we are being optimistic, you’ll want to know how they take their coffee. 10 Bodum’s Chambord French press fills the house with fresh-ground fragrance and, most importantly, is easy to bring back to bed. Bodum Chambord French press, 34 oz., $37, Octane Westside, octanecoffee.com
OPI: courtesy of OPI; jeans: courtesy of MiH; Sweet Peach and linen throw: Caroline C. Kilgore; Tivoli: courtesy of Room & Board; pumps: courtesy of Jeffrey New York; Bodum: courtesy of Bodum; bra: courtesy of True & Co.; St. Germain: courtesy of St. Germain; top: courtesy of Ann Mashburn
This article originally appeared in our February 2015 issue.
