Love is in the air, and the best way to embrace the spirit of Valentine’s Day is to dress up and look your absolute best. Whether you’re going to hit the town with your besties or go on a romantic dinner date with your spouse, building the perfect outfit and dressing for the occasion is essential to enjoying your holiday this season.
Rather than scrambling to put together an ensemble a few hours before your big date on Valentine’s Day, plan ahead to save yourself some stress. Let us help you plan your Valentine's date outfits with our comprehensive style guide.
How to Dress for a Valentine’s Day Date
The right outfit can send a message. To help you plan your Valentine's Day looks, make sure to keep the following in mind.
Consider the setting
When planning your Valentine’s date outfits, it's important to consider the setting. Are you going on a romantic, elegant dinner date and looking to dress up? Or, is it something more casual or maybe even active?
Ask your date the location prior so you can create an outfit that matches the vibe. For example, a flowy sundress with a cardigan and sandals can be a great choice if you're heading to the beach to watch the sunset. Additionally, comfortable women's shoes can be a good option if you're going camping to celebrate the day of love.
Keep in mind the weather
Nothing ruins an outfit quite like the weather can. As such, it's important to plan ahead and be prepared for anything. If it's a clear night, a light-knit sweater may be enough to keep you warm during a cozy picnic under the stars. However, water-resistant footwear and clothing will be your best option if it's raining.
Regardless, a women's tote bag can help keep all your essentials nearby. This makes it easy to carry an umbrella or even a rain jacket.
Wear Valentine’s Day colors
When choosing your Valentine’s date outfit, move away from everyday colors and opt for brighter hues. Become the center of attention this Valentine’s Day with bright, bold colors such as red and pink, or choose a more graceful approach with white.
Red is the most emotionally intense of all the Valentine’s Day colors, representing romance, passion, and love. When planning your Valentine's date outfits and looking to capture attention from a distance away, red is a great option. Plus, there are so many shades of red you can wear, including cherry, ruby, scarlet, strawberry, or burgundy, allowing you to mix and match different hues. For example, you can wear a cherry top with jeans and red flats for a bit of contrast.
White is a color that symbolizes purity and is a sweet, romantic color that embodies eternal love. Reserved more for couples, wearing white on Valentine’s Day can represent those in love.
Where red symbolizes passion, and white represents purity, the two colors combined yield a playful, soft, and sweet version of love: Pink. Pink is a color of affection and love; it has a playful quality that's more gentle and tranquil than red. Pink is also associated with young love and often has a youthful and joyous feel, contrasting red’s alluring deep romance and white’s delicate elegance.
Like other colors, there are many shades of pink. Darker, deeper colors represent a more intense feeling and attraction. Light shades of pink can be calming and express love, appreciation, and grace.
Embrace seasonal accessories
Valentine’s Day is the time to embrace wearing anything covered in hearts or flowers. While heart-shaped jewelry may not usually be your thing, enhance your look for the holiday with an accessory that accentuates the Valentine's date outfit. A pink or heart-themed bag may also do the trick. Or, choose a clutch that’s white, sparkly, and adorned with glittering diamonds.
Opt for romantic hair and makeup
Treat yourself to a bit of pampering before the romance. There’s nothing wrong with self-care and getting a little dolled up before a big date. Having your hair and makeup done professionally can enhance your date night experience and relieve some of the stress of getting ready. You can also do your hair and makeup yourself.
Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas
You’ve picked the color and accessories and know how you’re doing your hair and makeup. You know the setting of the date and have checked the weather beforehand to prepare. Now it’s time to choose the outfit.
To help you, here are a few outfit ideas for Valentine's Day:
Formal dinner date
Formal or intimate dinner date? You’ve got options. Stick to a classic A-line silhouette dress that flatters most body shapes and pair it with The Ballet Flat or The Point II. This type of dress goes with almost everything, and you can add a cute seasonal accessory to add flair to the mix.
Wear the dress with a red, black, or white cardigan or jacket and accessorize with the fashion-forward Party Pouch, which is the perfect size for holding your phone, cards, and other essentials.
Sweet weekend getaway
Headed away for the weekend? Fantastic! A weekend setting allows you to pack multiple Valentine's date outfits. Pack a comfortable tee, shorts, and sneakers for a casual ensemble perfect for sightseeing and the beach. Complete the look with a functional yet stylish tote bag.
Casual picnic
A casual picnic is the perfect setting for a cute Valentine’s outfit that’s comfortable and easy to move around in. Depending on the weather, wear a pair of jeans, a fun sweater or button-down, a stylish jacket, and ankle boots. A beanie or scarf can keep you warm and add cozy style to your outfit.
Relaxing evening at home
A common misconception is that Valentine’s dates always need to be fancy. Instead, some of the best dates can happen at home with your significant other, eating pizza, mixing up some cocktails, and enjoying the ultimate movie marathon. Plus, you can avoid the holiday and dinnertime crowds while keeping to a budget.
Even if you're not going anywhere, you can still have a little fun with your outfit. Choose a soft-knit tee or a lightweight sweater, some gym shorts, and a fun pair of socks to celebrate and get into the holiday spirit. Don't forget to keep your feet warm with comfortable slippers.
Galentine’s Day Brunch
Celebrating Galentine's Day with your besties at brunch? If you want to look chic yet stay comfortable, choose a cozy knit sweater with distressed straight jeans. Ditch the heels for The Ballet Flat in Ballerina, a soft pink color that radiates pastel femininity. Add a lightweight jacket and carry all your essentials in The Lightweight Petite Tote. Now, you're ready to meet your ladies for some gossip, treats, and mimosas.
Valentine’s Day Style Tips
Thinking of your Valentine’s Day outfit doesn’t have to be stressful or anxiety-inducing. When it comes down to it, all you’re trying to do is elevate and highlight your personal style. There's no need to feel pressured to go all out on Valentine's Day—unless that’s your thing.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you build your Valentine's date outfit:
- Keep it comfortable. Whether you're going out with friends or a partner, the main thing to focus on is style and comfort. You don't want to compromise one for the other.
- Stay confident. Confidence is key to ensuring you look and feel your best. Take a moment to feel confident and enjoy the way you look.
- Pay attention to subtle details. Subtle details, such as small, heart-shaped earrings or a sleek pink bag, can help tie your outfit together and take it to the next level.
- Coordinate with your partner or friends. Whether you’re celebrating with your partner or best friends, coordinate your outfits with complementary colors or styles to make Valentine’s Day extra special.
Dress to Impress this Valentine’s Day
Valentine's Day is your time to shine. Choosing pieces that make you feel comfortable and stylish is essential for a memorable Valentine's date. Use the tips and styling recommendations above to help you build an outfit that matches the vibe of your date and allows you to focus on celebrating the holiday.
Elevate any Valentine's Day outfit with Rothy's. We offer a wide variety of sustainable footwear and accessories, so you can look your best while helping the environment. From chic ballet flats to stylish clutches, you'll find exactly what you need to complete your outfit at Rothy's.
