
Instead of searching the mall and online boutiques for hours on end, xoNecole has taken the liberty of compiling this list of effortlessly sexy date night outfit ideas, just for you.
I, for one, can admit that a lot of the go-to pieces have in my wardrobe have been "gone to" a few too many times, and I thought it was time to switch it up. To help me on my quest for the perfect threads, I've enlisted the help of Denver-based designer and professional stylist, Felicia Benevidez.
Felicia and I met up at a local restaurant called The Family Jones, where she gave me all the knowledge on how to wow my date without even trying. These styles can be easily recreated using staples in your closet and a whole lot of attitude. Let's get into these looks!
Everyone has a little black dress in their closet, but Felicia shows us how to put the game down, flip it, and reverse it to create an entirely new look. For Valentine's Day, instead of rocking your usual, try adding jeans and accessories to your LBD to add flair and personality. Felicia told xoNecole:
"When all else fails, I feel like you can never go wrong with a little black dress. Creating layers by adding jeans and a sheer overlay automatically takes the look from classic to edgy. The iridescent purse, hoop earrings, and gold shoe adds the perfect final touch to complete my look for date night with bae!"
Ladies, I have the answer to the age-old question women have debated about for years: Size does matter. I mean, when it comes to clothes, at least. Rocking at oversized blazer can set your outfit off in a way that is super unique and known to turn heads. Keep it sexy by wearing thigh-high socks or boots, and feel free to add shorts for a more conservative look. The designer shared:
"I don't know about you, but a blazer always makes me feel put together. To keep it sexy for date night, I added thigh high socks and an extended button up shirt. I finished this look with a black pump and a belt to create some structure and emphasize my waist."
Nothing says effortlessly sexy like a jumpsuit and some booties. For some real fun, use some bold colors like Felicia did in this look! Your jumpsuit game has the potential to level up in a major way if you incorporate accessories and makeup that add a pop of color. According to Felicia, out of all the looks, this one is the easiest to pull off:
"A good jumpsuit makes getting dressed easy, when all you have to add are shoes and accessories! This limited jumpsuit comes from my clothing line VFM and is the perfect look for Valentine's Day! I added a pop of color by adding red booties, a matching purse, and don't forget the red lip."
Who knew a wide-leg pant and a blazer could make a t-shirt look so damn classy? This style is easy to accomplish with any flared pant in your wardrobe, but you can go the extra mile by adding some edgy accessories. Felicia explained:
"This chic date night look consist of a pair of my favorite wide leg pants from my clothing line VFM. I paired them with a T-shirt and yellow blazer to add a pop of color. The leather gloves and platform shoe completes the look and adds the perfect amount of edge."
For women like me who enjoy feeling bad and bougie on a budget, this look is perfect. The best part about this look is, it's flexible and low-maintenance but still looks expensive and elegant. You can achieve this look by mixing any animal print with the faux fur accessory of your choice. Set your look off by adding the maxi skirt of your choice and you've just created the frugal outfit find of your dreams. Felicia shared:
"For this look, I based the outfit around a pleated maxi skirt. To accentuate the deep maroon color, I added a nude animal print turtleneck. Because I love to play with prints, I finished the look off with a cheetah print bootie and fur stole. Such an easy and great look for a night out on the town!"
Grown and sexy takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to this look. Grab any piece of lingerie in your wardrobe and pair it with a pair of slacks and a blazer to turn into the seriously sultry seductress of your man's dreams. To give your fit a little something extra, add a shoe and lip to offer a bold pop of color. What's better is, this look is so effortlessly sexy, the only accessory you'll need is your smile. Felicia told me:
"When the goal is grown and sexy, a pantsuit is definitely my go-to. For the perfect date night look, I added a bodysuit and bright pump. My hair was the only accessory, and yes the bigger the better."
It's my hope that you can take these tips and be as sexy as you wanna be for your partner on this special holiday, no matter how you two decide to celebrate. This year, instead of harping over how you look, remember that no matter what you wear, your sexy comes effortlessly!
Thanks again to The Family Jones for letting us use your space to create magic! To find these pieces, check out A Vintage Frame of Mind's online boutique here.
Additional styling by Joce Blake. Makeup by Bree Klee.
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This article is in partnership with Lexus.
Luxury is often defined by someone else’s standards. But what if the finer things in life looked different through the lens of those crafting and shaping Black culture?
In Redefining Excellence, a two-episode short-form video series presented by Will Packer Media in collaboration with Lexus, we dare to broaden how we think about luxury. Here, it’s not just about the price tag. Luxury is a practice.
At its core, Redefining Excellence is a celebration of intention woven into every detail of how we live: our joy, our spaces, our craft, but also our rituals of care. These are the Black creators who not only give the best to themselves in what they build, but also pay it forward to the communities around them.
Through their vision, they embody the same precision and artistry that Lexus embraces when in pursuit of a higher standard, the Standard of Amazing.
In Episode 1, “Ingredients of Success,” the series follows chef, restaurateur, and Lexus Culinary Master Kwame Onwuachi, whose artistry is imbued with rich cultural storytelling. We see him wander purposefully through a garden, gently testing the ripeness of fresh fruits and vegetables. “Luxury isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about being intentional with your choices and craft,” he says.
The article continues after the video.
“Now, because of my work and the ingredients I use, luxury means something different. I am boldly setting a new standard of amazing and innovation.”
As he chops vegetables, plates vibrant dishes, and loads the finished product into the sleek Lexus LC Convertible, he continues, “For me, luxury means ingredients that carry memory… dining experiences and locations that honor the stories that raised me and feel like us.”
In Episode 2, “The Texture of Luxury,” the lens turns to founder and CEO of CurlyCon LA Ava Pearl, whose ingredients take a different form. As the trunk of her Lexus LX 700h lifts, she says, “When I think of luxury, it isn’t expensive, it’s expansive.” The scene shifts, and we watch Ava lay down a bouquet of fresh flowers upon entering her home before using aloe vera leaves to prepare gel by hand.
The article continues after the video.
“When I was younger, I thought luxury was something you bought. Now I know it’s about living up to a higher standard… Black women have always defined what’s next, setting the standard for beauty, luxury, and excellence.”
Like Kwame, she builds with intention, pouring care into the details, believing, like Lexus, that “luxury isn’t just a finish, it’s a standard. One that’s built to amaze.”
Through these stories, Redefining Excellence serves as a reminder that the journey is not just about the destination, but also the ingredients you choose along the way.
Watch both episodes now and learn more about how Kwame and Ava set their own standard of amazing.
Featured image by xoNecole/Will Packer Media
I know firsthand how powerful it is to see our voices centered, not just included. Black-owned bookstores are one of the few places where our narratives are celebrated instead of marginalized. You’ll find works that explore our joy, our pain, our love, our resistance, our healing. And the best part? You’ll find books by authors that might not be widely represented in your local library or at big-box stores.
Supporting Black-owned bookstores isn’t just about buying books. It’s about preserving culture, investing in community, and reclaiming our stories. They’re also spaces where local authors are uplifted, children see themselves reflected in the pages, and where conversations about liberation and love happen organically between book lovers who have so much in common.
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a great list of Black-owned bookstores, both in the U.S. and globally, that you can add to your must-visit list this fall and beyond:
North
Harriett’s Bookshop — Philadelphia
This book shop, named after Harriet Tubman and founded by Jeannine Cook, serves as a hybrid space: part bookstore, part art gallery, part monument. The inventory rotates monthly with thematic exhibitions (for example reparations), and the store hosts events including internships with local youth.
The Lit. Bar — Bronx, New York
Opened in 2019, this is the only independent bookstore in the Bronx. It combines a bookstore with a stylish social space (wine bar) that brings readers together. It’s also well regarded for its curation of books by underrepresented authors and as a gathering place for the community.
Midwest
Black Garnet Books — St. Paul, Minnesota
Started as a pop‑up, Black Garnet Books received a grant to open a brick‑and‑mortar location. Its founder Dionne Sims discovered there were no previous Black‑owned bookstores in Minnesota, which motivated its creation. The store is focused on literature by Black authors and community programming.
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery — Chicago, Illinois
A Black woman‑owned bookstore and gallery space that emphasizes art and literature together. It carries a mix of books by Black authors across genres, and supports community engagement through gallery exhibitions, programs, and online presence.
South
The Listening Tree — Decatur, GA
The Listening Tree, located on Candler Road in Decatur, Georgia, was founded by Omar and Kimberly Finley to promote literacy and Black representation in children's literature. They established Our Story Books Publishing and later The Listening Tree. The bookstore offers a Young Entrepreneurs Program for ages 8-16, teaching financial literacy and business skills. Through the B-Boys and B-Girls Book Club, members receive age-appropriate books and access to a virtual community.
The Book Bar — Richmond, Virginia
Located at 1311 East Main Street in Shockoe Slip (Downtown Richmond), this Black‑ and woman‑owned bookstore (also wine bar) is focused on centering Black, Indigenous, and authors of color. Opened in early 2022 by Krystle Dandridge, it features lounge‑style seating, book clubs, author events, subscription boxes, and nearly 99% of its inventory represents Black authors or Black characters/subjects.
West
Marcus Books — Oakland, California
One of the oldest Black‑owned bookstores in the U.S., Marcus Books has a long legacy of promoting African-American literature and culture. Despite challenges, it remains an important institution in the Bay Area.
Shop at Matter — Denver, Colorado
A Black‑owned bookstore in Denver that offers a well curated selection of Black literature, art books, children’s books, and community events. It acts as a hub for readers interested in diverse voices and community building.
Fulton Street Books & Coffee —Tulsa, OK
Funded by Onikah Asamoa‑Caesar, an educator and cultural activist, this café‑bookshop serves as a sanctuary, combining her love of books and Black liberation. It offers community, comfort, and curated literature.
International
New Beacon Books — London
Founded in 1966, New Beacon Books is the UK’s first Black publisher and specialist bookshop. It champions literature from Africa, the Caribbean, and global diasporas. Central to social and political movements. Check their website for events and open hours before visiting.
This bookstore specializes in Caribbean literature and its diasporic roots in Africa and India. Based in the Caribbean, it offers rare, out-of-print, and culturally significant works. Deeply rooted in the region, it reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving Caribbean heritage and knowledge. When you’re on the island, be sure to check their social pages or call to be sure of open and closed days. (As of this article, they are open Wednesday through Saturday).
Roving Heights Bookstore —Multiple Locations, Nigeria
If you’re going to Nigeria for Detty December, add a stop at Roving Heights to your itinerary. It’s a family-owned literary hub offering a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, and African literature. Known for its welcoming space and events, it promotes Nigerian storytelling, local authors, and a strong reading culture in the city.
Tusome Books —Winnipeg, Canada
Founded by Valerie Chelangat, this bookstore promotes intentional reading by amplifying underrepresented voices, including Black, Indigenous, queer, immigrant, and disabled authors. The store also offers book clubs, speaking engagements, and literacy programs through its foundation.
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