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Valentine’s Day Outfits for All Occasions: Night In, Dinner Out and with the BFFs

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Wake Forest chapter.

Girls and Valentine’s Day : it’s kind of a love-hate relationship. If you’re happily dating, it’s a day all about flowers, chocolates, and being as romantic as possible. And if you’re single? V-day can end up being one big 24-hour reminder of that same question Grandma asks you at every family gathering: “So, why don’t you have a boyfriend?”

Here at HC Wake Forest, single girls are definitely on the love-it side of this holiday. Valentine’s Day can be a fantastic day for anyone and everyone, as it’s all about celebrating the people you love!  In addition to (or instead of) a significant other, that can include family, friends, sorority sisters, roommates – you name it!

But another big reason we absolutely love Valentine’s Day? We really dig any excuse to dress up, and February 14 is the perfect day to show off your girly side in an adorable outfit!  No matter what your plans include, this upcoming holiday lends itself to some fab fashion choices. So even if you’re a total tomboy, check out Her Campus’s Valentine’s Day Fashion Guide below—and give in to all the pink hearts and flowers, just for one day, y’all!

For a Nice Dinner Out:
If you’re heading out to a fancy, romantic dinner, Valentine’s Day is a night to really take it up a notch and wear something that both you and your date will love. Go with a cocktail or tea-length dress or a skirt and blouse combo, and if you’re comfortable, definitely pull out the heels. Remember, this definitely isn’t the night for your rap-video super showy ensembles; Valentine ’s Day is all about sweet romance, so play up your softer side with flowy feminine shapes and girly fabrics like lace and chiffon. Sheer fabrics are still a popular trend right now, and when worn with the proper undergarments, they can be incredibly sexy without going overboard. Pair your outfit with pretty, yet understated jewelry—it’s more the type of night for some jewel-toned dangly earrings than oversized hoops. And remember, if there’s a specific piece of jewelry that your significant other has given you, it will definitely mean a lot to them to see you wearing it on your V-day date.
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For a Romantic Evening In:
Just because you’ve chosen to stay at home for the evening does not mean your Valentine’s Day should be spent in sweatpants. If you and your honey have chosen to spend a night in, cooking a homemade meal (so cute!), you can definitely make your outfit a little more casual while still wearing something wow. Pair dark jeans with a top that shows off some skin in an area you’re proud of—a halter can display sexy shoulders, or choose a V-neck if you want to show a little cleavage. Since it is Valentine’s Day, any shade of red, pink or purple is an appropriate choice, but I would recommend steering clear of the totally obvious and overused hot pink.  A top in cranberry red or an almost-nude light pink are more subtle but still give a nod to the holiday spirit!
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For A V-Day with Your Girls:
Girls before guys, right ladies?! If you’re spending Valentine’s Day with all your best girlfriends, you are bound to have an awesome holiday ahead of you! And you and your BFFs can still get in to the Valentine’s Day spirit with some lovely outfits. Some girls joke about wearing all black to boycott V-day all together, and that’s fine with us! Black is super slimming! Still, we think any all black outfit would be more V-day appropriate if it’s spiced up with some heart-filled flair, so throw on a fun patterned scarf or wear a pink headband on the 14th. If you’re not going with the goth look this Valentine’s Day, hanging with your girls is a chance to have as much fun as possible, so you can go all out with your fashion choices. Wear heart patterned knee socks, a bright red dress—or really anything pink, purple, cutesy, or girly to show how much you love Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s Day is all about love, so no matter what you wear, just make sure it’s an outfit you l-o-v-e!
*Photography by Morgan Harbert
 

Jackie Swoyer is a rising senior at Wake Forest University majoring in Business and Enterprise Management, concentrating in Marketing and minoring in Economics. While her collegiate years have been spent in the Carolinas, this aspiring marketer currently calls Cincinnati, Ohio home...although she has spent years moving all over the country and beyond (including a five year period in Europe!). She is currently prepping for a summer internship in the Frito Lay Marketing Division in Plano, Texas, a new stop on her geographical repertoire. An avid reader of all things Her Campus, Jackie also loves to write, listen to Pandora, practice her cooking skills, and find live music anywhere she can.