What To Wear To Restaurants In NYC - Cool Outfits For Dinner In NYC

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It's hard to stay on top of all the new eateries around the city. And when you've never been, it's even harder to pick out the Perfect Outfit. Rest assured, we've spent many a pre-dinner, pre-game hour changing clothes when we should be sipping champs. So, to help eliminate dress-code dilemmas, we're bringing you stellar outfit inspiration for what to wear to a trip of just-opened hotspots. Whether it's a Fashion Week dinner party at Acme, a double-date at The Toucan & The Lion, or a casual brunch at Bowery Diner, mealtime is the time to put your personal style on blast. Play off these three looks, and we promise you'll be an enviable regular in no time. Now all you need is a reservation...

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We all know the pain of waking up after a night out. And the only fix for your pounding head is a brunch that rivals the chicness of the previous evening's events. Look no further than Bowery Diner. Trust us, when you're craving a cure-all, an alcoholic milkshake and a shitake omelet look and taste like heaven. Sure, it may say "diner," but the food is as tasty and the atmosphere as humming as any pricier brunch spot around, and there's no denying that comfort food's the best kind to ease your wake-up woes. We suggest keeping your look casual and cool: A baggy sweater and some booties make perfect pairs to light colored jeans and a cross-body bag.

Bowery Diner, 241 Bowery (between Prince and Stanton streets); 212-388-0052.

Rag & Bone Skinny Jeans in Bright White, $176, available at Rag & Bone, 73 East Houston Street (at Elizabeth Street); 212-777-2210. Madewell Mini Mailbag, $118, available at Madewell, 486 Broadway (at Broome Street); 212-226-6954. AllSaints Egyptian Bangle, $250, available at AllSaints, 512 Broadway (between Broome and Spring streets); 646-862-1832. Wilfred Free Yulia Crewneck Sweater, $72.50 (was $145), available at Aritzia, 524 Broadway (at Spring Street); 212-965-2188. H by Hudson Encke Buckle Boot, available at Gravity Pope.

Photographed: by Guang Xu

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The Toucan & The Lion is a cozy spot for double dates and pre-event drinks alike. The front bar is dimly lit (clutch), and hanging plants adorn the interior, thanks, we assume, to former stylist-turned-part-owner, Tabitha Tan. Menu offerings such as Asian-inspired gastropub bites meant for sharing and super-strong drinks are best complimented by a date-worthy (or double-date worthy!) outfit. If you're running from work, try a simple-yet-structured dress with far-out heels, a toasty coat, and a pop of color in your nails or makeup.

The Toucan & The Lion, 342 East 6th Street (between 1st and 2nd avenues), 212-375-8989.

Marni Pressed Felt Coat, $690 (was $1,380), available at Marni, 161 Mercer Street #1 (between Prince and Houston streets); 212-343-3912. Opening Ceremony Sleeveless Shirt Dress, $335, available at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard Street (between Broadway and Crosby streets); 212-219-2688 Topshop Willow Wedge Zip Front Boots, $170, available at Topshop, 478 Broadway (between Broome and Grand streets); 212-966-9555. Essie Size Matters nail polish, $8.00, available at Essie.

Photo: Courtesy of The Toucan & The Lion

Once in a while a joint comes along that's an absolute see-and-be-seen venue amongst the fashion crowd. Well, Acme is the newest name on that super-tight list. Already favorited by the André Saraiva crowd, the bootlegger's speak-easy meets french bistro interior hides a downstairs bar (that we have on good word will play home to high-profile parties come NYFW ). In short: There are more fashion editors than there are french fries here. Because the table-staring is on red alert, we recommend really amping up your outfit: A statement dress, fierce heels, and a mix of brights and blacks seems like a good place to start.

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Acme, 9 Great Jones Street (between Lafayette Street and Broadway); 212-203-2121.

Alexander Wang Leather Racer-Back Dress, $985, available at Net-A-Porter. Asos Lazer Cut Zip Top Clutch, $44.76, available at Asos. Diane von Furstenberg Bernice Coat, $380 (was $950), available at Matches. Heeled Sandals, $525, available at Kirna Zabete, 96 Greene Street (at Spring Street); 212-941-9695.

Photo: Courtesy of Nadine Johnson & Associates

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