As empty nesters, my husband and I tend to go out to dinner more than we did when we were still raising our kids. Plus, since we are a little more free to do our own things during this season of life, we often choose to get out in the evenings for an ice cream run, a stroll through our quaint downtown or music set at a local pub. These aren’t the date nights I normally dress up for. But it is nice to pull together an outfit that’s casual but also a little special for these impromptu outings. So today I’m sharing a simple but chic spring date night outfit formula that’s perfect for women over 50…like me.
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I first worked this formula when we were in Tucson, Arizona, recently. We had rented a bungalow in a historic section of town, and it was within easy walking distance to a trio of restaurants, including a coffee shop, soup/salad & sandwich bistro and farm to table restaurant. We ended up walking to one of them at least half a dozen times. This simple but chic spring date night outfit formula turned into a fast favorite for these casual jaunts.
cotton knit skirt + t-shirt + denim jacket + sandals = simple, chic spring date night outfit
How to Work the Spring Date Night Outfit Formula
The formula really hinges on the cotton knit skirt. I’m wearing the High Hopes Skirt from Ayr. It’s made in a luxe 58% Pima Cotton / 39% Modal / 3% Spandex fabric milled in Peru. The hand is smooth and pleasantly dense and the drape is lovely, skimming my body but not hugging my hips too tight.
The skirt is a true, opaque black, and it launders beautifully. I’m wearing a size large based on their size guides and it fits true to size. Of course the skirt does feature one fairly significant side slit, but I don’t find it to be immodest. I love and highly recommend this skirt, but I did find a comparable one at Quince. However, my skirt is a pull-on skirt and that one has a back zipper, so it may be a little more structured and slightly more formal. But the Quince skirt does come in additional colors and is much more budget friendly.
The next key factor in this spring date night equation is a simple but elevated t-shirt. For this first look I’m wearing a ribbed tee in a luxe 92% TENCEL™ Modal/8% elastane fabric. I am crazy about this t-shirt, so much so that I returned and purchased another one. I’m wearing the heather slate, a soft grey which surprisingly pairs beautifully with so many things in my closet. It’s 25% off in Madewell’s Insiders Event, just through Monday night.
For this spring date night outfit formula I do particularly like a more fitted tee like this one, but you will see me in another option below. I’ve topped the tee with an equally slim-fitting denim jacket, this time in white. The Janelle denim jackets have a nice amount a stretch in them, yielding a feminine fit and an ultra-soft feel. Per the suggestions on the website, I did size up to a large in this jacket.
I completed this first look with strappy kitten-heel sandals for a feminine but still easy combination. I’m sharing two outfits created with this simple but chic spring date night outfit formula, but this one is my clear favorite. I prefer the fitted (but not tight) silhouette of the ribbed tee and jacket. And I think the strappy kitten heels are elongating and feminine, keeping this combination fresh and a little sophisticated, but still very comfortable and casual.
Working the Spring Date Night Outfit Formula Another Way
Like I said, we were walking about a half mile total on these vacation date nights. So I opted to leave the kitten heels at the bungalow and generally wore flats or even sneakers instead. On this evening I wore the spring date night outfit formula but worked it a little differently.
I’m wearing the same black skirt from Ayr here, but this time I’ve created a more boxy silhouette up top and I’ve completed the look with metallic flat sandals. I still felt pretty and festive in this outfit, but it’s not quite as flattering. That said, sometimes you have to make concessions to accommodate the activities of the evening.
Here I’m wearing the Splendid Kylie V neck tee with my Madewell chore jacket. What I do appreciate about this tee is the V neckline and the slightly cropped length, which stays under my jacket nicely when left untucked.
The platinum sandals aren’t as elongating or quite as feminine, but they’re still a very pretty option. And over the three years that I’ve had them in my closet, I’ve worn them so many times with similar looks.
Maybe you can work this same simple but chic spring date night outfit formula with items in your closet. I’d love to hear about your ideas. Of course, you can also shop these items through the links in the captions above or through the shopping widget below. Thanks so much for stopping in for a little spring style inspiration. You might want to check out this post or this one for more ideas. And if you’re interested in shopping the final day of the Madewell Insider’s Event, check out this post for my favorites.
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Blessed for My Day
When I was raising my children and they were moving from childhood to young adults, I began looking for signs of maturity. As I watched them, I noticed that self-awareness proved to be a major mile marker in their development. It turns out that self-awareness is not just an indicator of growth from childhood to adulthood. When we are able to spot our own faults, missteps and mistakes, claim them for what they are and turn in a new direction as a result of our self-evaluation, we’ve begun to demonstrate a godliness that only comes from walking with the Lord and growing in Him.
I’ve been reading through the account of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers lately. Over and over the Israelites have frustrated their leader Moses by railing against God when anything went badly. What whiney babies! But today as I read Numbers 21, I noticed a difference in them. First, instead of complaining to Moses, they cried out to God for mercy and protection (Num. 21:1-3). That was indicator number one that they had grown up a bit. Then, when the Lord sent fiery serpents among them, they quickly realized that their sin had caused the ordeal, and they asked Moses to intercede for them, begging for mercy from God. The nation was beginning to be the people of God.
So that gives us something to think about? Does my behavior and attitude characterize that of the whiney Israelites who blamed God for everything and couldn’t see the error of their own ways? Or do I behave and sound more like the maturing tribes of Israel who began to see God as holy, themselves as sinners, and His ways better than their own ideas? Do I practice self-awareness? Or do I blame other people, things and even God for everything while assuming that I’m always right?
The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. ~ Numbers 21:6-7
The skirt is nice but not something I would wear with kitten heels on date night with my husband. Too dressy even with sandals, but very pretty for casual church outfits.
Cute outfits and shoes. I like your hair. I like it both wavy and straight on you. I change how I style it too.
I really like the first outfit and think the white jacket looks so fresh and stylish, perfect for spring and summer evenings. The kitten heels look really pretty but the sandals in the second outfit would be a great alternative if more comfort is necessary. The skirt looks great and I think the side split is a nice change and is flattering.
Today’s BFMD – pure gold. I will admit I struggle greatly with people who are “right in their own eyes”, and who blame shift to everyone else. It’s very immature. Self-awareness is very important. Anyhow, date night, I’d more likely wear the second outfit than the first. If I pull out my heels, I don’t reach for a tee or a jean jacket, I’d wear a far dressier top.