As R&B singer Miguel tells it on his hit song “Coffee,” the perfect first date would be an all-night affair, filled with plenty of pillow talk, laughs, and thrills. But according to his stunning model fiancée, Nazanin Mandi, the Californian musician has been known to keep a girl waiting. “Miguel takes the longest to get ready! He usually waits until the last minute to start getting ready—typical guy move!” she says, laughing. “Good thing I’m patient and in love with him.”
Mandi doesn’t spend too much time agonizing over her own look, though, since she has rocker-wife style down to a fine art. Pulling from a roster of cool designers and her beau’s stash of vintage tees, she favors curve-hugging LBDs from Alexander Wang, biker-babe jackets, and leather pants for a night out in support of her man. Then there’s the slinky lingerie she’ll subtly work into her wardrobe, too. It’s enough to ask, “What’s your secret?”
Here, the stylish bombshell shares her date night essentials, pre-party rituals, and her secrets to rock-star red carpet style.
Let your date night style evolve with your relationship.
I absolutely remember what I wore on our first date, and I’m a bit embarrassed about it, but hey, it was October 2005! We used our fake I.D. cards to get into this club in Los Angeles, so my attire was very fitting. I wore a black long-sleeve crop top with black, tight, ripped hip-hugger jeans that frayed at the waist; they were so low I had no choice but to go commando—yikes! My style has 100 percent changed and improved immensely! My style now varies depending on where Miguel takes me: For a more casual outing, I’m in a BLK DNM leather jacket and jeans, with a vintage T-shirt, or an Alexander Wang bomber and dress with Saint Laurent ankle boots. For an upscale outing, I’m in anything from a Cushnie et Ochs jumper to a simple Helmut Lang LBD.
When in a time crunch, rely on a cool but simple date night “uniform.”
I always say when in doubt, just dress cool and simple—never overdo it. A vintage T-shirt, jeans, ankle boots, and my leather jacket is a stylish yet comfortable look.
In a date night style rut? Borrow from your boy, quite literally.
I’ll absolutely grab one of Miguel’s large vintage T-shirts and wear it as a dress with thigh-high boots. It’s quite sexy, if you ask me!
Pump the tunes to build the anticipation.
[I listen to] anything Prince before a date. He’ll most definitely get you in the mood to wear something stylish and sexy.
When pulling your date night look together, work from the inside out!
Lingerie is a must! Not only do I wear it for him, but for myself as well. If it’s lace or fishnet, I’m rocking it! A matching lace lingerie set under your outfit adds excitement and sets the tone to how you want your night to end. A few key pieces that I wear as part of my look are a Zana Bayne leather choker or a satin black bralette. I’m also all about the skintight bodysuit!
Don’t give it all away on the first date.
Wear a mini LBD, but show no cleavage. Or a plunging neckline pantsuit, but show no leg. You gotta leave something to the imagination.
Leather pants and dance-ready shoes will get you through a concert date night.
I would say go for a pair of leather pants, a tank top, and comfortable shoes. You want to make sure you can focus on the performance, not your feet killing you!
Get a grip on all your date night essentials with a clutch.
My Givenchy clutch is my go-to! It’s large enough for my phone, lip gloss, and mints, but small enough to carry with one hand comfortably.
Bust out the fur and the bikinis for the after-party!
For after-parties I usually go a bit sexier: a minidress with a fur crop jacket and heels. But if the after-party is at my house, I’m most definitely in a string bikini!
And for the party after the after-party, pack light!
Oh, man, for your sleepover, bring lingerie or your sexiest comfy pajamas, perfume, a toothbrush, and a fly outfit for the next day!
For the red carpet moments in your life, don’t be afraid to coordinate with your date.
I wouldn’t say Miguel and I match, but we are coordinating and everything is premeditated. Racks of clothes are brought to our home weeks prior to an award show by our stylist, Jasmine Benjamin, so we most definitely know what we are wearing.
. . . Or wear a suit, too!
If you’re not into the typical gown, a pantsuit would be my suggested go-to. It’s classic, sexy, yet edgy.
Remember to think outside the box (and the country) for date night ideas.
One of my most memorable dates was during Paris Fashion Week last year. We went to dinner (we love to eat), but after, ended up at the Valentino party, where we danced the night away; it was magical. In fact, I wore one of my fave outfits: a white Baja East suit. I’ll never forget that night.
Watch Miguel Perform "Simple Things:"