Fashion

Three Valentine’s Day Looks to Love

From the latest cocktail dresses to anti-Valentine’s Day T-shirts, here’s what you’ll need February 14

By Taraneh GJerven /

Credit: Zara

Got a dinner date this Valentine’s Day? Wear one of Zara’s new season cocktail dresses

From new season cocktail dresses to anti-Valentine’s Day T-shirts, here’s what you’ll need February 14

Not everybody likes Valentine’s Day; that’s understandable. I’m not on fire about the holiday of hearts this year. My husband invited two friends from Norway to come stay with us before a back-country ski adventure, so this year I’ve got three guys packed like sardines into our apartment to help me celebrate.

Why am I complaining about triple the usual amount of Norwegian man flesh? Good question. Maybe I shouldn’t. By postponing our date night to the visitor-free week after V-Day, we’ve got a better chance of getting good restaurant reservations. But I digress.

There are two reasons to be aflutter about Valentine’s Day. 1) Chocolate – a mood lifter for both the single and the committed. 2) Fashion – V-Day is an opportunity to get all dressed up in new season style.

From a dinner date dresses to anti-Valentine’s Day t-shirts, here’s what you’ll need come February 14.

Dress for Dinner

Refresh your after-dark look with a head-turning cocktail dress from the just-launched spring collections.

Here are Zara’s new season peekaboo-back black and flirty, plunging-pink cocktail dress.

Zara’s new season cocktail dresses S/S 2012. Images: Zara

The Everything Outfit

Bowling? Heading to the cinema? Taking a couple’s cooking class? Bicycle scavenger hunting? Lunching with single friends?

Whatever the semi-casual affair, a statement top (like Anthropologie’s polkadot, cinched-waist, chiffon blouse) paired with fun trousers (like  J.Crew’s toothpick twills in bright papaya) will keep you lovely and flexible.

Anthropologie’s Bright Forecast Tank; J.Crew’s toothpick twill in bright papaya. Images: Anthropolgie; J.Crew

The Anti-Valentine’s Day Look

Are you able to recite the entire convoluted history of the commercialization of Valentine’s Day without opening Wikipedia?

These Cafepress.ca anti-Valentine’s Day T-shirts are for you. From murderous cupid imagery to slogans like “Resist the tyranny of Valentine’s Day,”  you’ll never have to speechify again. Just board a bus and unzip your coat.

Anti-Valentine’s Day t-shirts by Cafepress.ca are a budget-friendly, speech-saving outfit choice. Image: Cafepress.ca