Valentines Day Style

Valentine’s Day, or as my cynically, just-dumped friend, Evelyn calls it, “singles awareness day”, is all about chocolate, conversation hearts and flowers. More importantly, it’s about a romantic date with your sweetheart, but most importantly of all, it’s about what you wear. (We all know Valentine’s Day is just a gimmicky, Hallmark holiday… or maybe that’s just resentful Evie rubbing off on me). Regardless of how much importance you place on Cupid’s day to shine, you want to look your best and impress that someone special. The key, ladies, is to do this without looking like you spent hours achieving that look, or worse, actually spending hours to achieve that look. Looking effortlessly put together will not only score you style points, it’ll leave more time for the important things (that extra cocktail, dessert, adventures and escapades best left to the imagination…) Depending on the atmosphere of your outing, your ensemble can vary. However, there are a few guidelines to follow in order to have you looking your best in a simple yet stand-out kind of way.

Rule number one: if your date destination requires any prolonged period of sitting, standing, walking, dancing, shaking or any other form of movement or stillness alike, think comfort first. This means no dresses or jeans that make you question if your organs will make it through the night unbruised, or shoes so uncomfortable you pinch a nerve in your toes (trust me, NO shoe is that cute; I’ve experienced the pain and sadly since retired the shoes in question). Not only are binding clothes a distraction from your personal enjoyment of the evening, most require constant readjusting or attention that are just not worth the focus, which should be on the fantastically romantic date you’re on. That being said, I would never be one to advocate sacrificing style for comfort; I defiantly refuse to believe the people who dress sloppily as an excuse for comfort. A fail-safe, go anywhere date outfit staple for a more causal-girl in my books is slim fit black jeans, a killer (not literally, refer to rule number one!) pair of heels, and a cute, striking top. This could mean a slinky camisole, a form-fitting blouse, a silk draped or ruffled tank top… you get the idea. Match colour or pattern to your personal taste, add a few accessories, such as an armful of bracelets, a bold cocktail ring, a skinny belt, whatever! And throw on a special cardigan if need be, like one with silk piping or unique buttons. The idea is to have exceptional details on ordinary pieces to look outstanding without standing out.

If your jaunt requires your 3.0 version, I am inclined to the eternally stylish and infallible LBD. The best part of the little black dress is its definition, which only requires it to be little and black. This allows for trends, body shape, fabric, embellishments and cut to be chosen by the girl who will slip on whatever LBD makes her feel her best. Whatever the shape and cut of the dress in question is, it should always skim, not squeeze or drown your frame. Length is also a personal choice; however, anything below the kneecap can shorten your appearance, and only go as short as is appropriate for the location (upscale restaurant vs. supper club or lounge). Otherwise, show off as much leg as you’re comfortable, so long as you promise not to change your mind and spend the night tugging at the hemline, and keep the rest of the outfit demure by only showing off skin in one area (i.e., not legs and décolletage; pick one!) Feel free to befriend different versions of LBDs, shift dresses and sweetheart neckline, waist-cinching versions can both be a girl’s best friend.

Accessories and jewellery can be cutesy on Valentine’s Day. Red, pink, or sparkly-heart shaped nail polish and hair accessories and jewellery are cute, as long as they are childish and tacky enough to look a bit on-purpose cheesy. Bonus points if your sequined-heart shaped hair pin is from the children’s section. Hair and makeup are also just as important as the ensemble, but should also enhance your natural beauty and not look like you’re wearing gobs of it. A great peachy-bronzer with a touch of shimmer will light up any complexion and doesn’t require tons to get the effect. I really love Guerlain’s terracotta bronzing powder as it looks super-natural and looks like I had a facial (or a full night of sleep for a change). A huge, thick fan of lashes are always great for batting ad flirting, and nothing short of applying false eyelashes (so not worth it) will get you the look like YSL’s volume effet faux cils (French for false eyelash volume effect; it tells no lies!).  A teeny bit of highlighter, such as NARS The Multiple in Orgasm or Copacabana, on the inside of your eyes on the tear ducts and right under your brow bone will also light up your eyes without looking like you have tons of makeup on as the highlighter will catch the light but otherwise go unnoticed on the face. As much as I love a bold lip, Valentine’s Day calls for a more toned down pout, and nothing calls more attention to your kisser in a more natural way than Chanel’s lip glossimer in sesame, a pinky, barely there, non-sticky shine. Nobody wants to smear their painstakingly perfect lipstick for a smooch, and who would wants to give that up on Valentine’s Day?!

-Aimee Brothman, STYLE.CA