Although there is no fixed time for falling in love, the month of February is the unofficial season for saying it out loud. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and if you are dressing for yourself or someone else, there are a million ways to look irresistible without donning the cliché colours. We give you a lowdown on the dress code for a dreamy date night.
Ditch Red, Pick Pastels
A perfect date outfit should be flirty and fabulous opines designer Farah Sanjana, who votes for elegant form-fitting A-line dresses with just a hint of décolletage as her favourite. She says, “Its not just red, pink is also considered to be a romantic shade. A pale lovely primrose pink with a full tulle skirt would work wonders with some sparkle in the form of earrings or tall heels. For a romantic day brunch, go for minimal makeup with some floral outfits and a stunning pair of sunnies to finish the look.”
While Shraddha Pacheriwal, VP design at Raisin Contemporary Fusion Wear, believes that comfort is of the utmost importance when it comes to a date night. “Shades of pastel pinks, nudes, and powder blue are the best colours instead of going for red from top to toe. For a perfect date outfit, opt for a midi dress that can be worn to work and easily transformed into a clubwear with additional accessories. While it is suitable for an official meeting, it can be worn to a brunch or dinner date as well. You can accessorize it with a scarf, nude pumps and small earrings to keep it classy.”
Dress Down, Accessorise More
Valentine’s Day is about dressing pretty and dainty so pairing up your outfit with a stole, pearls and crystal would create a subtle and classy vibe. Jyotika Jhalani, founder at Janavi India says, “To veer away from wearing the typical colour of red which also has a strong Christmas spirit, stick to hues of nude and peach as an alternative. Even if you are planning to wear something very casual on Valentine’s Day, the right accessories make an outfit look good. I would style an outfit with a stole, as it can change the look of an outfit in a second and they are also a wardrobe essential. For a brunch date simply wrap the stole around your neck or throw it over your shoulders to let it hang loose. You can use the stole to spice up a simple dress and mix a printed/floral scarf with a printed dress for a statement look. The other way is to let the scarf fall in front of your outfit and pair it with a skinny belt. For a date night statement stoles are magical with a pantsuit or a tassel/feather stole with a maxi
dress can give element to your ensemble.”
If you feel good in what you’re wearing you’ll look good, as confidence is the key on a date, says designer Vandy Mehra of Study by Janak. She highlights, “It’s important to wear something that works for your body type. For a date night show off your feminine side with a dress in lace and amp up the edge by throwing on some flaming thigh boots to strike a balance between sex appeal and practicality. For brunch, the look shall be casual and comfortable. Slip on the stylish jumpsuit, statement earrings and head out. Fill some rouge on lips and roll up your sleeves for a chic up look with a pop of accessories like a rich satin scarf. Match it with delicate earrings, heels, and a red lips to look confident.”
Casual to Club, Style it Right
From reversible jackets to easy breezy wraps, an outfit can be styled in several ways to prep you for a special date in no time. Designer Sanjana Jon suggests a beautiful red-pink or ashes of roses gown in French chiffon lace or Italian silk for a feminine Valentine’s Day look. She says “This year ashes of roses shade has made headway from bridal to couture and evening wear. Another subtle yet passionate colour that will stand out is the pastel burnt pink. An off shoulder-fitted dress in this colour of the season and would be spectacular yet subtle from work to a romantic evening. Pair a red Italian silk fitted jacket over a black dress or a bright silk wrap to make a statement. Even a grey suit with a red silk scarf would be very different and stylish.”
Find a dress that suits the location/venue of your date, and combine that factor with some contemporary fashion trends. Harshita Gupta, founder of fashion brand Hail Women, says, “If you have great arms you can go for a strapless maxi dress, or a halter dress pairing them with slouchy leather boots. While if you have great legs wear shorts along with white sneakers or a mini skirt with sexy lace-up heels. When you think of a sexy V-Day outfit, a red colour dress is the first thing that comes to mind. But, it’s time to ditch the traditional red and embrace something like a one-shouldered dress, satiny dress, or a jumpsuit to show the skin in a sophisticated way with bonus points for wearing colours, like mustard yellow, powder blue, olive green or the coral hue (Pantone colour of the year) can make you look bold than a little black dress or even the traditional red one. For a brunch date, pick a jumpsuit or a metallic miniskirt adding a touch of sparkle, along with the cotton tee and high heels.
While dressing up for a dinner dates carrying a gorgeous blazer or a rocker-chic bomber jacket along with a pleated or fancy dress with some fringes, embellishments is the ideal outfit idea for a late-evening rendezvous. Also, add some blingy accessories to sparkle under the night light and watch your guy with his jaw dropping to the ground. For those who’ll be going from work-to-date, you can opt for an elegant sheath dress. This unstuffy staple is conservative enough for the office but subtly sexy enough to make a splash while getting drinks with your guy.”
