What we imagine wearing on date night doesn't always align with our real-life outfits. If you're anything like me, you're stressed, frazzled, and fussing over what to wear right up until the last minute. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to look and feel our best on a big night out, and while we can't be there to chaperone a blind date (please do have a friend on speed dial!), we can at least help with the outfit. It's what we do best.
With that in mind, we've curated 50 date-night-perfect pieces that won't cost you more than $50 — how's that for stress free? Scroll your way through the shopping options — like miniskirts and waist-defining peplums to find your own jaw-dropping look.
Source: Forever 21 [1]
ASTR Stripe Top
ASTR Stripe High/Low Surplice Tank [2] ($48)
Leith Crop Top
Leith Crisscross Crop Top [3] ($38)
BB Dakota Red Pencil Skirt
BB Dakota Convoy Paisley Brocade Ponte Skirt [4] ($44)
Nasty Gal Lace Crop Top
Nasty Gal Barely There Mesh Crop Top [5] ($38)
ASOS Black Pumps
ASOS Skittle Pointed Heels [6] ($46)
Glamorous Leather Dress
Glamorous Scaled Faux Leather Body-Con Dress [7] ($49)
GB Leather Leggings
GB Faux-Leather Ponte Leggings [8] ($34)
Forever 21 Asymmetrical Dress
Forever 21 Modernist Asymmetrical Dress [9] ($16)
Faux Leather Skirt
Jack Women's Jovianne Perforated Skirt [10] ($30, originally $40)
Express Striped Skirt
Express Striped Stretch Knit Midi Pencil Skirt [11] ($40)
Princess Vera Wang Floral Blouse
Princess Vera Wang Cascade Button-Front Tank [12] ($26, originally $38)
Nine West Studded Clutch
Nine West Go to Glamour Shiny Nickel Clutch [13] ($18)
Topshop Floral Skirt
Topshop Floral Drop Hem Miniskirt [14] ($40)
Zara Zip-Up Dress
Zara Zip-Up Dress [15] ($36)
Forever 21 Jumpsuit
Forever 21 Retro Lace-Trimmed Jumpsuit [16] ($23)
Topshop Faux Leather Pants
Topshop Textured Leather Look Leggings [17] ($44)
Modcloth Red Heels
Get It, Got It, Go-See Heel in Red [18] ($33)
Bebe Peplum Top
Bebe Cropped Peplum Cami Top [19] ($49)
BCBGeneration Crossbody Bag
BCBGeneration Shawn the Zoey Crossbody Bag [20] ($36)
Nasty Gal Wrap Blouse
Nasty Gal Chandler Wrap Blouse [21] ($38)
Pixie Market Slip Dress
Pixie Market Lace Cami Slip Dress [22] ($49)
Forever 21 Black and White Blazer
Forever 21 Menswear-Inspired Tuxedo Blazer [23] ($30)
Xhilaration White Lace Skirt
Xhilaration Lace Skirt [24] ($20)
Forever 21 Pink Blazer
Forever 21 Signature Linen-Blend Blazer [25] ($30)
Dolce Vita Leather Skirt
Dolce Vita Kent Skirt [26] ($50, originally $99)
Humble Chic Striped Skirt
Humble Chic Carrie Skirt [27] ($48)
Forever 21 Blue Pencil Skirt
Forever 21 Bold Stripes Knee-Length Skirt [28] ($12)
Zara Red Dress
Zara Strappy Dress With Flounce Skirt [29] ($50)
Arden B Draped Top
Arden B Zipper Back Draped Blouse [30] ($39)
Glamorous Faux Leather Peplum Skirt
Glamorous Faux Leather Peplum Skirt [31] ($49)
Black and White Peplum Top
Modern Citizen Pan Am Printed Peplum Top [32] ($49)
Sleeveless White Blouse
Endless Rose Cocktail Sleeveless Blouse [33] ($48)
Express Sheer Pencil Skirt
Express High Waist Mesh Inset Miniskirt [34] ($45)
Nordstrom Blue Dress
Tildon Cutout Shift Dress [35] ($48)
Metallic Clutch
Nila Anthony Reflector Clutch [36] ($48)
Kimichi & Blue Fit and Flare Dress
Kimchi & Blue Stella Mock-Neck Fit and Flare Dress [37] ($39)
Arden B Peplum Top
Arden B Deep V-Neck Peplum Tank [38] ($44)
Topshop Body-Con Dress
Topshop Cutout Textured Body-Con Dress [39] ($26, originally $50)
Forever 21 Ruched Dress
Forever 21 Sleek Ruched Dress [40] ($20)
ModCloth Black Skirt
Tulip to Tango Skirt [41] ($35)
Sam & Libby Metallic Pumps
Sam & Libby Dahlia Spiked Heel Two Piece Pump [42] ($40)
Sparkle & Fade Miniskirt
Sparkle & Fade Swaddle Miniskirt [43] ($49)
Glamorous Red Lace Dress
Glamorous Lace Bodice Open Back Skater Dress [44] ($49)
Nasty Gal Cutout Dress
Nasty Gal Light of Day Dress [45] ($48)
White Box Clutch
Street Level Square Box Clutch [46] ($22)
Mango Asymmetric Blouse
Mango Asymmetric Chiffon Blouse [47] ($40)
H&M Lace Dress
H&M Lace Dress [48] ($30)
Humble Chic Bow Back Top
Humble Chic Bow Back Tank [49] ($44)
Express Lace Top
Express Embroidered Lace Tee [50] ($50)
New York & Company Bodysuit
New York & Company Eva Mendes Collection Mila Sleeveless Bodysuit [51] ($47)