Feb 04, 2013 12:38
by Natasha Saroca
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and you know what that means, right? We're just about to experience a national shortage of red roses and chocolate, reservations for romantic restaurants are filling up at a rapid pace, and mushy Hallmark cards are flying off the shelves like hotcakes. Well, that and the fact that just about everyone is in a frantic rush to find the perfect V-Day date outfit.
While we don't have answers for the first two problems (except to say to get in quick: i.e. now), we can, however, help you overcome your "What the hell should I wear on Valentine's Day?" dilemma.
The secret to successfully nailing a V-Day date look is being true to your signature style. Yes, it's fine to flirt with love-tinged touches like hearts, florals, romantic ruffles and all the rest...but only up to a certain point. After all, you want to feel confident and comfortable when celebrating with your beau, BFFs or whomever you're spending Cupid's night of nights with, don't you?
Our advice is to think chic, not cheesy. Choose a flirty frock, killer skirt-and-shirt combo, or sleek pantsuit, and then add a few themed pieces to embrace that sassy St Valentine's vibe, without going OTT.
If wearing your heart on your sleeve (literally) or other romantic flourishes isn't your style, playing with tones and textures is the easiest way to get in the mood.
Red, pink and coral are obvious go-to tones to help you stay in theme – balance this rosy palette with white, black and metallic hues. Silk, satin, tulle, lace and chiffon are failsafe fabric options for more formal occasions, while you can't go past denim and light cotton tees and dresses for relaxed rendezvous.
Here are six looks we'd love you to take out on the town this Valentine's Day, regardless of whether you have plans with your partner or are looking for your perfect match. There's an ensemble to suit every age, event and body shape. You can thank us later.
Shop the looks:
1) Laidback love affair
Portmans Contrast Bind Gather Shirt, $49.95, portmans.com.au; ksubi Spray On Jean in Black Night, $179.95, ksubi.com; Sambag Tina Patent Leather Ballet Flats in Neon Coral, $175, sambag.com.au; Mimco Offbeat Hip Bag in Slasher Red, $199, mimco.com.au; SHEIKE Flame Waist Belt $24.95, sheike.com.au; Victoria Mason Say It With Flowers Necklace, $285, victoriamason.com; Victoria Mason Little Piece of My Heart Ring, $77, victoriamason.com.
2) Pretty playful
Sportsgirl Rani Floral Dress, $129.95, sportsgirl.com.au; Senso Xixi II Fluoro Yellow Heels, $229, senso.com.au; Kate Spade Call To Action Gia 'Is This Seat Taken' Clutch from Papier d'Amour, $120, papierdamour.com.au; Angle Diamond Dot Adorn Me Headpiece in Pink, $90, anglediamonddot.com; Samantha Wills Love Necklace in Gold, $125, samanthawills.com; Shashi Gemstone Drop Earrings from Shopbop, USD$88, shopbop.com; Alexis Bittar Block Ring from Shopbop, USD$95, shopbop.com.
3) Casual chic
Honey & Beau Color Block Dress, $155, honeyandbeau.com.au; Senso Nadia Orange Waxed Calf Wedges, $229, senso.com.au; Status Anxiety Distant Lover Bag in Tan, $199, statusanxiety.com.au; Elk Natural Shapes Wooden Pendant, $35, elkaccessories.com.au; Dinosaur Designs Art Range Lava Ring in Chalk Stripe, $115, dinosaurdesigns.com.au; Dinosaur Designs Bones Bangle Set in Ivory, Ivory Swirl and Dark Horn, $215, dinosaurdesigns.com.au; Elk Frost Resin Stud Earrings, $35, elkaccessories.com.au.
4) Rosy romance
Collette Dinnigan Sunflower Lace Sleeve Dress, $970, collettedinnigan.com.au; Mimco Stolen Treasure Heels, mimco.com.au; Diane von Furstenberg Carolina Lips Metallic Clutch from Shopbop, USD$395, shopbop.com; Samantha Wills New York Kiss Drop Earrings in Rose, $99, samanthawills.com; Swarovski Purity Bracelet, $160, swarovski.com; Swarovski Nirvana Ring, $325, swarovski.com.
5) Day date
Trelise Cooper Royal Society Dress, $499, trelisecooperonline.com; I Love Billy Hash Sandals in White, $79.95, ilovebilly.com.au; Sambag Lainey Gold Crushed Metallic Bag, $300, sambag.com.au; Portmans Adjustable Skinny Feature Belt, $19.95, portmans.com.au; Seduce Mermaid Cuff in Gold and Rose Gold, $49.95 (each), seduce.com.au; Dinosaur Designs Lip Ring, $75, dinosaurdesigns.com.au.
6) Sleek and sultry
sass & bide Fifteen Steps Pant, $320, sassandbide.com; SHEIKE Hollywood Top, $99.95, sheike.com.au; PeepToe Miss Flame Heels, $229, peeptoeshoes.com.au; Olga Berg Soft Patent Envelope Clutch in Red, $69.95, olgaberg.com.au; Sussan Skinny Animal Belt, $29.95, sussan.com.au; DKNY Sasha Silver Stainless-Steel Watch (NY8746), $129, 1800 818 853; Karen Walker Red Pansy Ring, NZD$349, karenwalker.com.
