For as long as I can remember, I have always despised the tradition of wearing red and white on Valentine’s Day due to the fact that I never had a “significant other” to celebrate the day of love with.
However, in 2013, for the first time, I had reason to join the red-rose-brigade and partake in the splendour and “spoils” that come with this overly commercialised day.
Despite my conflicting feelings about the day, I donned my sexy red dress I had secretly kept packed in my closet for the day, only to stand out like a sore thumb among the casual shorts and T-shirt wearing hordes when Valentine’s Day came around.
Valentine’s day 2014 pulled in and what do you know? Red-cladded women as visible as a red light in a snow storm.
Then came 2015 and 2016 and still no lesson learnt.
Anyway, the reason for my yapping is to give fair warning to those Valentine’s Day die-hards who give me the smirk each year on Valentine’s for recognising our failure at partaking in an evidently dying tradition and remind them to ditch the red attire. Although my anarchist heart is still unwilling to conform to society’s norms, I have decided that a balanced approach is needed.
So to avoid feeling like the only being wearing a costume at the office party, my advice would be to store that red dress, suit or skirt for another day and instead accessorise your outfit with red to avoid negative “lighting”.
A red lip along with a red shoe or pair of earrings will be more than enough of a siren to please a secret desire some of us have to wear red on Valentine’s Day without standing out like a stop sign.
Not to mention, a red lip creates a youthful look and also draws attention to the mouth, which is not bad when you’re trying to get smooched by that someone special.
If you’re not an avid lipstick wearer and the idea of trying a red lip is too daunting, you can swop a red lip for red nail polish which is always a winner, making your cuticles look pristine and polished.
With regards to a particular shade of red, well I don’t need to tell you which colour suits you best.
Now that your subtle sexy has been laid (and your hair is done), a sexy red heel is all you need to complement your red lip or nails.
A red heel will pop alongside almost any outfit, but alternately you can team your red makeup with red chandelier or stud earrings depending on the feel you’re going for. You don’t want to break the bank buying a new pair of heels just for the occasion.
For the males, a red bow tie or pocket handkerchief should suffice if you’re wearing a formal or semi-formal outfit or perhaps a pair or funky red socks underneath a pair of chinos could add some sexy to your look.
Your subtle accessories with a pair of jeans and your favourite shirt, should be enough to draw the right kind of attention on Valentine’s Day.
Whether you’re single or taken, Valentine’s Day is about love and self love so spoil yourself and those near and dear to you.
