KC Fashion Icon Amy Appleton of Steps of Style lays out the perfect Kansas City date night– from head to toe and drinks to dessert.

LA-KC-NYC: I'm sure you have all seen the t-shirt and these just so happen to be my three favorite cities. But unlike NYC and LA, sometimes a truly magical city reveals itself more slowly. It draws you in as you discover all that a place like Kansas City has to offer. Fortunately for those of you who don't have the time to be exploring every nook of cranny of this gorgeous 1 million plus city, you have me! Getting dressed up for a night out on the town can be exciting for some and daunting to others. If you know where to go and what to wear, it's even more fun, especially in a city that seems to get better and better each year (I know people that have actually moved here from bigger cities, the secret is out).

First off: what to wear? My two favorite places that meet the needs of every budget are Dear Society and Finefolk. Dear Society sells both new and vintage pieces that are so insanely on trend you can't believe your luck - all at prices that will have you doing a celebratory dance in your fabulous new dress! My other favorite is Finefolk in the crossroads. This unbelievably gorgeous space ranks up there with any shop in any other city around the globe in my humble opinion. It's a fashion lovers paradise and even the most curated style gurus will be giddy the second they walk in. Both shops offer a wide variety of ensembles, and all this shopping will definitely make anyone hungry. But where in the world does one eat in a city that seems to be popping up trendy new spots every time you turn around?

My go-to spot for drinks is Tom's Town Distilling Company. It's got an old school Gatsby vibe that seems to lure you in and make you never want to leave. Their dirty martini tastes like what I imagined one would (but never actually did) in my head while reading books about gentlemen sipping their cocktails when I was a kid. Their blue cheese stuffed Cavelestrano olives are reason enough for me to swing by anytime.

Next up is dinner, a bit of a tougher choice. I like to head to the Crossroads for a bite at Extra Virgin or to Westside for dinner at Novel. Extra Virgin has a killer patio and a lively vibe, while Novel is tucked into an old home in the Westside neighborhood, and makes for a more intimate dining experience. Both spots offer delicious plates whether you're a tame or adventurous eater, and what can make for a more exciting date than sharing bite after bite of delicious small plates?

For the morning people out there, my favorite never-let-me-down spot for brunch is Westport Cafe. It's effortlessly cool French vibe is the perfect spot to spend your Saturday sipping mimosas while debating between eggs benedict or brioche french toast. The black and white checkered floor and the French style bar complete with an ornate golden Perrier Joët mirror transport you from Paris of the Plains to Paris-for-real.

Finally, to satisfy a sweet tooth you should definitely try the new kid on the block, The Antler Room. With out-of-this-world specialty desserts created by Natasha's Mulberry and Mott, you will want to order them all. Wash it down with a glass of rosé– more often than not in the summertime, they’re known for whipping out magnums of the good stuff.

With so many exciting choices for shopping and dining out in KC you really can't go wrong... the only bad choice would be to stay home.

Steps of Style's KC Date Night How-To