Let me just state, for the record, that I wholeheartedly support every person’s God-given right to wear hearts on Valentine’s Day—and the rest of the year, too, for that matter. But just because the holiday happens to fall within the month of February, it doesn’t mean you must dress like a greeting card for the full 28 days. Valentine’s Day is only 24 hours, but February is all month long. That means you should enter the month with plenty of outfit ideas under your belt—both festive and fun, as well as cozy and cute everyday looks.
Given this season’s cruel and unusual temperatures, the first rule of February dressing is this: Keep warmth top-of-mind. Scarves, turtlenecks, babushkas, snoods—all are required for a stylish and cozy winter vibe. Next, be sure to layer, both for seasonal and style purposes. And finally, should you wish, embrace V-Day motifs with great care and plenty of whimsy.
Need some inspo? Feel free to scroll on.
A Suit and Scarf
When your winter lineup inevitably begins to feel stale, try utilizing your favorite winter accessories in more unexpected ways. TikTok’s triangle scarf trend, for example, makes a great addition to a structured suit.
A Button-Down and Statement Belt
Enhance your cookie-cutter button-up top and jeans with a luxe chain belt. It gives the stuffy look a main character type of vibe.
Espresso and Pink
Pink and red are a timeless V-Day combo—that’s a given. But there are plenty of other color combinations that feel just as festive, but much more elevated—like pink and brown, for example.
Khaki and Leather
IMO, it’s time we take back khakis from the finance bro community. And the best way to do that is to add on a whole lot of leather. Belts, shoes, and jackets will all do their part to counteract the material’s corporate connotations.
Festive Athleisure
Sportswear is a great option for low-key Valentine’s dressing. Red track pants, windbreakers, and sneakers all feel holiday-appropriate, but in a super subtle way.
Valentine’s-Coded Workwear
It’s totally possible to channel the most romantic holiday, while still being chic and polished. All you have to do is embrace color play and keep the rest of your look streamlined.
Gray and Pink
I’ve already decided this is the color story I’ll be embracing for Valentine’s Day. It’s edgy and cool, with a wink of festive flair. Join me, won’t you?
A Leopard Statement Jacket
Throw this baby on over pretty much anything, and it automatically looks worthy of a sexy night out. Yes, even cozy sweater sets.
Festive Gingham
Repurpose your summertime favorite for the winter season by embracing gingham. Styling it with other primary hues—like cobalt blue and sunny yellow—gives the picnic favorite a more eclectic feel.
A Posh Winter Wrap
Cozy girls, it’s your time to shine. Luxe wraps are currently trending in the fashion space, giving you just one more way to combine warmth and aesthetics.
A Fur Coat and Jeans
If you’ve got a floor-length faux fur coat in your closet, now’s the time to bust it out. The plush outerwear trend can often feel overly-dressy, so try styling it with jeans and a simple white top to mellow out the vibes.
Dressed-Up Denim
Double denim looks are so versatile; they can be adapted for almost any occasion. For Valentine’s Day, that means adding a chunky heart statement necklace. For the rest of the month, swap out for cool silver chains.
A Little Red Dress
You’ll return to the LBD next month—in February, it’s all about crimson. Try a lipstick red dress with contrasting accessories for a smokin’ hot date night look.
A Blazer and Bubble Skirt
A simple black-and-white outfit works well any time of the year. Modernize the combination with a bubble skirt and an hourglass blazer for an interesting play on proportions.
Kelsey (she/her) is a freelance digital fashion editor and writer with a knack for turning top-performing content into top-selling content. She has extensive experience in editorial and e-commerce strategy, having worked in both divisions during her years at Seventeen and Bustle. With more than a decade of experience in digital media, she also offers creative and social media consulting, as well as copywriting services. She enjoys cheeseburgers, traveling, and vintage hauls. Follow her on Instagram at @klstieg.
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