First date fashion tips from Bachelor Nation’s go-to stylist
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While “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” contestants explore romance on-screen, many viewers fall in love, too…with the contestant’s outfits, that is. After all, with several wardrobe changes per episode, the show has almost as much fashion as it does drama. Even once their time on the show ends, the stars’ styles still have a place in fans’ hearts and carts, with many of their outfits swiftly selling out.
If you’re planning to get glammed up for your own first dates this summer—minus the cameras, limo, and roses—who better to look to for style inspiration than Bachelor Nation? For tips on reality TV-worthy first date fashion, we tapped celebrity stylist Lisa Marie Cameron, who’s worked with countless stars following their time on the show, including Michelle Young, Hannah Goodwin, and Katie Thurston (to name just a few).
How do stars dress for “Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise”?
Cameron’s client list now includes many of the famous faces in Bachelor Nation, but it all started when she helped former “Bachelor” Colton Underwood pack outfits for his time on “The Bachelorette.” “He had so many options that he was lending them out to a couple of the other guys,” says Cameron, who then ended up styling several of the men from that season—and many more stars of the show since. She also helped at least 10 contestants pack for their time on “Bachelor in Paradise,” sourcing date-ready cocktail dresses and beachwear.
While no one can predict how things will shake out on either show—and contestants aren’t able to communicate with her for fashion advice mid-filming—Cameron tries to “overpack” to allow for as many outfits as possible. “Everyone I work with is different,” says the style expert. “We always try to plan ahead of time but it doesn't always work that way.”
Whatever the franchise brings, it’s safe to say Cameron will be there to style stars as they live out their love stories off-camera once the season wraps. “I love to see how they develop from being on the show and going from not being in love to being engaged or getting married and just being able to really evolve their style,” she says.
What to wear on a first date
If you’re hoping to start your own journey, as the franchise so often phrases it, take a page out of Bachelor Nation's book and dress the part of a romantic lead. Contestants sometimes share styles if they run out, says Cameron, or combine pieces in new ways. “I found that a lot of us have items in our closet that just need to be tweaked a little bit [to] open a whole new door,” she says, and recommends finding different ways to mix and match your favorite fashions.
As for how to pair pieces—and what style staples to have on hand—here's how to get reality show-level glam at home.
Streamline your look with coordinating tops and bottoms
Slip on a matching set to search for your perfect match. “I think cute matching sets are always a win,” says Cameron, who suggests pairing the look with sneakers or a kitten heel for a more “flirty” date look. Opt for an on-trend monochromatic outfit, or choose your favorite print.
Consider coordinating options from Petal and Pup, a trendy fashion brand Cameron recommends for first-date fashion and that’s been spotted on “Bachelorette” stars Katie Thurston and JoJo Fletcher. Get two versatile style staples in one with the Pippa Set, which includes a cut-out crop top and maxi skirt. It comes in women’s sizes XS to XL in white and pink. For a less casual crop top-and-skirt set, opt for the popular Zanita Set, which includes an elevated, wrap style skirt. Shop the classic style in black, white, or yellow in women’s sizes XS to XL.
Another style suited to date night? Suits. “I think it's a great alternative look for a date, and you can really do it for day or night, whether you pair it with a white sneaker…or a flashy bag,” Cameron says, adding that the look will also give you “more for your money” as each piece can be used for a slew of stylish looks. Try the Miss Selfridge suit at ASOS for an easily pairable plaid print. It’s available in brown check in women’s sizes 0 to 14.
Dress up a casual look for a great first impression
Don’t have any outfit ideas brewing for your next coffee date? Try pairing a blazer with your favorite tank top and denim shorts. “I think [it’s] a perfect outfit for any coffee date,” Cameron says of the look, which can be dressed up or down with kitten heels or sneakers. “You can't really go wrong when you add a blazer…it just elevates it a little bit, makes it comfortable.”
Add a pop of color to your look with the Kali Blazer from Petal and Pup, which comes in trendy bright blue and orange in women’s sizes XS to XL.
If you’d rather not sport shorts, consider pairing the jacket with a slip dress, as Cameron suggests. Try the UO Mallory Cowl Neck Slip Dress, a highly rated style which comes in 13 colors—including two casual summer-ready prints—in women’s sizes XXS to XXL.
Be bold with statement-making pieces
You don’t need a limo to make a stylish, show-stopping entrance. For a sexy-yet-understated look for a dinner date, Cameron suggests a statement top “with a cut-out showing a little skin.” She loves the styles as “they don't really need much, you can just pair it with your favorite jeans, a bold earring, or layered necklaces.” After all, as the style expert says, “having your own personal touches in your outfit will make you feel more like yourself and that brings your confidence out when you're on the date.”
Try the Porto Cervo Tie Up Crop from Princess Polly, a brand Cameron recommends for finding “a lot of different options” for statement tops. The white tank looks crisp with denim or a skirt, and comes in women’s sizes 0 to 12. Another Cameron-approved brand is White Fox, which offers similar cut-out looks. For example, the First Love Crop Petrol is a one-shoulder look that can be worn with a blazer or denim jacket. It comes in four colors in women’s sizes XS to XL.
Alternatively, slip on a slinky slip dress for another way to rock the cut-out trend. “They're really comfortable and they're still sexy because they're showing a little bit of skin,” says Cameron. Consider the Amorgos Black Mini Dress from Beginning Boutique, a brand she touts for date night looks. This piece is both flowy and flirty, and comes in women’s sizes 0 to 12 in black. For a dressier style, try the Jemma Mini Dress from Princess Polly. The silky, elegant look comes in women’s sizes 0 to 12 in black, white, or sage.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: What to wear on a first date, according to Bachelor Nation’s go-to stylist
