Date like it’s the ’90s To bring back the old-school romance

Nothing kills romance faster than a “U up?” text. Back in the ’90s, love took effort – rewinding cassettes with a pencil, waiting for a handwritten letter to arrive, and planning dates that didn’t involve doomscrolling. If you really want to impress your Valentine, ditch the predictable dinner-and-a-movie routine and go full vintage. Here’s a guide on how to recreate the ultimate ’90s-style date

More than just double-tap
Forget cloud storage – real romance is tangible. Snap a polaroid during your date and hand it over right then and there; no filters, no retakes. If they slip it into their wallet, you’ve officially hit the ’90s rom-com bullseye. Or, keep it classic with a movie ticket stub as a memento of your special moment. Then there’s the friendship bracelet, which is the original ‘promise ring’. Handmade, colourful, and full of meaning – it’s the perfect throwback to schoolyard romance. Bonus points if you make a matching set.

Mixtapes, love letters and other heartfelt efforts
A playlist is cute, but a mixtape is a love letter in stereo. Choose songs that scream ‘us’, write dramatic titles like ‘For your ears only’ on a cassette or burn a CD. You earn brownie points if you include a voice note saying something ridiculously cheesy. And while you’re at it, go full analog with a handwritten love note – no emojis, no typing, just ink on paper, preferwably with a spritz of perfume. To seal the deal, gift your crush a Walkman or Discman.
Because nothing says “I love you” better than a playlist that requires actual effort
to listen to.

Dress for the roles, live the moment
A ’90s-style date isn’t complete without dressing the part. Channel your inner Poo or Raj – think slip dresses, chokers, baggy jeans, and oversized flannel shirts. Show up in a windbreaker, tinted sunglasses, or platform sneakers, and watch your date appreciate your commitment. If you really want to go full Bollywood, go right ahead and dedicate a song to them on the radio

When in doubt, bank on chocolate & milkshakes
If a chocolate bar doesn’t scream “I fancy you,” nothing will. Slip a love note inside the wrapper for that extra ’90s touch. Or, go for the ultimate shared milkshake with two straws – ideally with Boyzone or Alisha Chinai playing in the background. Bonus points if you spill it a little while laughing at your own jokes.