This story is brought to you by Caroline and Main
With Saratoga summer in the rearview, all eyes are fixed on the next Spa City season: fall, aka cuffing season. Whether you’re in the market for a new boo or are looking to reconnect with your longtime lover over a romantic dinner, autumn is for date nights, and it’s time to get your wardrobe ready.
“A date night outfit is all about details,” says Heidi Owen West, owner of Broadway boutique Caroline and Main. “Unlike a work look that leans polished and professional or a casual daytime outfit that’s built for comfort, a date night outfit should make you feel confident, flirty, and a little more elevated than usual. Whether it’s a touch of shine, a great neckline, or that perfect heel—it’s the details that say, ‘I dressed for this.’”
This fall, Saratoga’s boutiques will be filled with velvets, structured knits, and tailored layers in colors like deep wine, forest green, soft clay, and—yes—red, which is making a bold comeback this year. Also be on the lookout for elevated basics with interesting cuts and oversized outerwear that can pull a whole look together effortlessly.
While Owen West and her team certainly won’t tell you what to wear, they’re happy to help you build a date night look that’s uniquely you. “Start with one piece that makes you feel amazing, whether it’s a silky top, a great pair of jeans, or a dress that moves beautifully when you walk,” Owen West says. “From there, build around it. Add a layer (like a cropped jacket or a cozy cardigan), some eye-catching accessories, and a shoe that works for where you’re headed. The goal is to feel comfortable, confident, and the right amount of fancy.”
The good news? It’s up to you to determine what the right amount of fancy actually is. These days, you can get away with wearing jeans to most upscale Spa City restaurants—as long as you style them intentionally, maybe with a statement blouse and bold accessories. But if you want to go all out on your outfit for your anniversary at Druthers, go for it. There’s no such thing as being overdressed, especially when your outfit makes you feel like a million bucks.
