Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews

Style Scenario: Valentine’s Date Night at Home – Dressed Down

February 8, 2022 By Jason P | Heads up: Buying via our links results in us getting a commission (not always, but just about), which helps keep the lights on around here. We also take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. This Valentine’s day, skip the fuss, (too) close quarters, and stay in for a nice dinner at home. Order in or cook a fun favorite together.  But, being a date night – get dressed up! Maybe a full suit isn’t the right look for you and your relationship’s vibe, but it’s worth putting extra effort to set the night apart from the norm. This outfit is simple, effortless, and handsome in that “we’re at home but we’re not mailing it in” kinda way. 

Style Scenario: Valentine’s At Home Dressed Down 2022

The Sweater: Bonobos Donegal Wool Shawl Collar Cardigan – $59 FINAL ($139). Throwing a shawl collar cardigan sweater on top of a button down shirt is a nice dress down from a blazer, but still makes a statement. A classic ribbed knit and flecked donegal wool fabric provides early evening pop, and you can take it off and roll up the sleeves to get cooking. Not down with final sale? Understood. Try the LL Bean alternative for $99.

The Pants: Bonobos Washed Chino 2.0 in Prussian – $59 ($99). Going for a bit of a sleek monochrome look, even if it’s framed in a cozier shawl collar and chinos setup. Not the same as the original washed chino. See the review comparison here. Also part of the big Bonobos winter sale, but not final sale. So these can go back if you don’t like them.

The Watch: Tissot Visodate White Dial/Brown Strap – $650. Not a budget automatic, yet the Tissot Visodate is a definitive “Value” timepiece. A Swiss automatic with sapphire crystal and a stainless steel case, with a day/date function and a clean, timeless design on a dressy light dial. Sometimes, simplicity is key to great design and this watch from Tissot is a perfect example. The more affordable option: Try Orient’s small seconds automatic. Still classy, and that small seconds dial is a nice, simple touch.

The Shirt: Charles Tyrwhitt Non-Iron Twill Grid Check Shirt – $99 or 4 for $200. Expensive when you buy one, but a solid deal at $50/shirt when you buy four shirts total, of any color or pattern combo. Charles Tyrwhitt offers a LOT of fit and size combinations, giving you an outside shot at finding a great fitting shirt off the rack. CT shirts offer great quality fabrics, stitching, and overall construction – with metal collar stays included! A nice subtle check pattern provides a class dash of style.

The Belt: Banana Republic Italian Leather Belt in Cognac – $60. BR does basics well for a fair price (just wish they’d bring back a sale or code every so often). With soft Italian leather and a silver buckle, this is nicer than your average leather belt but still a strong everyday belt option that can pull double duty for this date night.

The Socks: Bombas Merino Wool Calf Sock in Navy– $19. Wool is your best friend on a date night, especially in a scenario where you might kick off your boots and need your feet to be fresh when you do. It’s a nice stylistic and formal touch to start with shoes, but as you get more comfortable, feel free to take them off if the vibe is right. You’re inside, after all.

The Shoes: Grant Stone Cap Toe Boot in Crimson Chromexcel – $360. Shoes inside my be odd to some households, but it’s yet another easy way to set the mood of the night as a true date night, versus just another night – especially if you live together. Boots, because it’s winter; but cap toe, because it’s a date night. Grant Stone punches well above their weight class compared to the competition at the price range, making truly investment worthy shoes and boots befitting both date nights and daily wear. The more affordable option: Give these downright cheap chelseas from DSW a shot.

The Drink: The Dark & Stormy: Fever Tree Light Ginger Beer ($6ish) and Gosling’s Black Seal Rum ($25ish). Either before or while dinner is cooking, whip up a couple drinks together to keep the co-hosting going strong. A winter favorite, the dark & stormy is a spicy drink for a potentially spicy evening. Get high quality ginger beer and spiced rum for this one – with minimal ingredients, the quality of the two you use matters a lot. Gosling’s Black Seal Rum is the legally official spiced rum to make this drink -they have “Dark ‘N’ Stormy” trademarked. For an alternative take, try a rum off a higher shelf that doubles as a great sipping rum – Mount Gay’s Black Barrel Rum.

About the Author: Jason P. spends his days working in the creative marketing department of a big telecom company. He also does a bit of real estate investing on the side. He believes in curating a timeless, classic wardrobe with subtle modern touches for today. He and his wife love hiking with their dog and shopping at local small businesses and antique stores when they travel. Jason is a practitioner of muay thai and traditional boxing, and his favorite drink is a hoppy New England IPA.

Filed Under: Clothing, Dappered Classics, Sales, Steals, and Deals, Shoes, Watches Tagged With: style scenario, Valentine's Day 2022, Valentine's Day outfit ideas, Valentine's Day outfit ideas for him, Valentine's day outfit ideas for men, what to wear on valentine's day, what to wear on Valentine's Day for men

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or hit us up on Instagram!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Style Scenario – Valentine’s date night dressed up, going out

Sharp, dark, and handsome for a nice night out.

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More

Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More

There is a peculiarity about the Rhone pack deals though.

BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful

Totes, sneakers, and Nordy Rack is worth a look.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

CONNECT WITH DAPPERED

Thanks! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • BR Factory New Arrivals (and 49% off), Seiko 5KX decent price, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Style Scenario: It’s still winter. (Nothing over $100 edition)
  • The Dappered Space: 5 Essential Home Decor Items for any grown-guy’s home
  • The 2023 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Her
  • Monday Men’s Sales Tripod – Rhone Polo & Commuter Shirt Savings Packs are back, & More
  • Spier launches new $298 Half Canvas Suit Line – The Best Wedding Suit under $300?

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

Copyright © 2023 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.