How To Dine Solo

Elbows off the table, earbuds in your pocket and books safely stowed in your bag, take twenty minutes (or more!) to yourself for a small something- on your own.

Whether you're snacking on the curb between classes or stopping for a spot of tea mid-gallery-prowl, dining alone is a skill held by few. Last-minute hunger pangs or a planned affair, grabbing a bite to eat sans company is a luxury to be experienced if not regularly, at least once in your life. Sad? Most definitely not. Undeniably posh and mature? That's more like it.

Keep these ideas in mind and you'll hit the café toute seule more frequently.

1. Don't fidget. You've already decided to go at it alone, so now is not the time to "appear" preoccupied - put the books away, wrap those t9-happy fingers around a fork instead, and enjoy your meal!
2. Order well! You're not splitting the bill, you don't have anyone to impress or trick into thinking you eat like a bird, so choose a dish you're going to love.
3. Have an idea of what you'd like to start with before you are seated. You'll look/sound like you've got your act together when you coolly say, "I'll take an Early Grey while I decide" or "I'd just love a glass of your house wine, please". Side-note: As always, keep your ID close at hand so you don't look like a fool rummaging in your purse or pockets.
4. Don't go nuts with the breadbasket. This in fact applies to all dining experiences, but is always worthy of note. You're at a restaurant to eat a meal, and that meal is not a breadbasket. Stay. Cool. Please.
5. A few quick somethings to do between bites: dab your mouth with your napkin (which is undoubtedly in your lap at this point), sip on your water, sit back and enjoy, glance about the space and take in the ambiance.
   

What To Wear When Out To Eat

• For the café: Be cliché, wear a beret! Button-down shirts and cigarette pants are lovely, too, with a neat pair of flat boots and a scarf tossed non-chalantly about your neck.
• For the sandwich shoppe: Trousers and a nice sweater, market bag and cloche hat.
• For High Tea: A print skirt and tights, a lacy camisole with a sturdy cardigan, a pair of flats and a smartly-placed bow.
• For curb-side noshing: Leather bomber, fluffy sweater, straight leg jeans tucked into salt-stained boots of perhaps a pair of high-top kicks. Throw a dash of flannel in there and NYLON will snap a picture faster than you can say "I swear I'm not a hipster..."
  

Have a lovely meal, ladies. You deserve it!