What to Wear for Valentine's Day - High Latitude Style

Are you astonished or curious why the featured photo doesn’t show a red dress for Valentine’s Day? Well, first, red gives the illusion of more weight. Women in midlife don’t need that illusion. Our words have weight enough. Second, it’s old fashioned. Who needs that? Read on how to dress for V-Day the modern way. Sure, you can wear red when you can afford the illusion of a couple or two extra pounds.

Contents

Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to wear red
What to consider when picking your look
- Where will you go?
- How long do you know each other?
- How will you get there?
A liitle black dress is always appropriate
Beautiful Valentine’s day outfit inspirations

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Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to wear red

I hope you have already an invitation or will get one soon. The big question on such a big day is What to Wear. As so often in life, there is not one hard answer. Here some thoughts on what to consider when dressing for the big night out. First of all,

Ditch the old-fashioned rule to wear red on Valentine's Day. #Vday #vdayoutfitideas Click To Tweet

Learn more about why Valentine’s Day is associated with red and you understand that red is an option, but not a Must.

What to consider when picking your look

Where will you go?

Going to the movies, for instance, is a casual date. Your goal should be to put together an outfit that highlights your best feature or shows your shape in an understated way. For instance, skinny jeans, a wrapped top, motorcycle boots, and a slouchy cardigan, or a cute belted floral print dress that just shows your collar bone and ends above the knees with a cardigan.

Going to a restaurant means you can dress up. Keep the dress code of the restaurant in mind when picking the outfit. You can never go wrong with a LBD with the right accessories. On Valentine’s Day, one can say the same for the little red dress (LRD). In very casual places, anything remotely sexy will get you irritated looks and may even make you and your significant other feel uncomfortable. Instead of showing any cleavage, try an animal print and a pencil skirt like the the outfit below. It is modest, a warm winter outfit, but snake print and a pencil skirt have something exotic and sexy to it without being right into the face.

stylist in sexy pencil skirt and modest sweater for V-day — J. Crew snake print pencil skirt, GNW cashmere merino wool sweater, statement bell for shape, Söfft shearling booties with 4 inch heels, smoky quartz floral statement belt, turmaline earrings, GNW semi-sheer pantyhose (all own)

Are you going to a Valentine’s Ball or dance party? Then check the dress code. If it is formal or a military ball , go for a gown, not shorter than knee-length. If it says semi-formal, a long gown could be over-kill. Go for a cocktail dress. If it is a social dance, a fancy fit-and-flare dress with some red will do the trick. If the dress code is informal or casual, metallic pants or a sequin skirt with a cute top, (white) jeans with an embellished or sequin top are good bets. For a Valentine’s social dance with a romantic theme, stick out of the crowd with a floral print dress that is not featuring red like the blue and white one below. It is very modest, but features your boobs and legs without having a mini length hem.

Less leaves more to the imagination. #dress4success #timelessstyle Click To Tweet

over 50 years old dancer twirling in a blue and white dress — Outfit details: Cat cameo pendant necklace, cameo earrings, Lula Roe full skirt dress, Coolibar sleeves, fishnets, Very Fine Dance Shoes golden sandals

But wait! Before you pick your dress, consider the following.

How long do you know each other?

If you just started dating or it is your first date, go for more coverage. A knee-long long-sleeve fitted crew neck LBD or LRD with tights is perfect. It showcasts your body without looking over-the-top sexy. You don’t want him to stare at whatever. You want him to look into your eyes and talk with you so you get to know each other better.

If you know each other for quite a while, you can show more skin. But one area at a time is so much more sexy and attractive than skin everywhere. Thus, either a mini skirt or cleavage or shoulders, not all at once. Recall you are celebrating your relationship.

How will you get there?

If you have private transportation, you can go for hot sandals or pumps even in cold climate regions. However, when you have to walk and/or wait for public transportation, you should choose a pair of shoes that provides good insulation from the ground, but allows to safely walk even on snow and/or ice.

Also wear a warm coat. When your indoor outfit is made of thin, delicate fabric have a light cashmere cardigan that you add for extra insulation (or as a cover-up in case it is chilly in the restaurant). Well, when you plan to dance, have your dance shoes in your bag. I always carry a huge bag as I have the habit to swap my boots for pumps whenever I come inside. Did I mention that there is also a clutch inside that bag?

I know, I know! It’s an Alaskan lifestyle thing.

fashion over 40 Burberry coat with scarf, gloves and beret — Outfit details: Burberry loden motorcycle coat worn over the above outfit with harley Davidson booties, structured bag, blue leather gloves (similar here), blue paisley scarf and blue beret (all own)

Anyhow! If your boots or booties are needed because of the outside conditions, bring the strappy sexy sandals or pumps in a large bag or tote like shown in the outfit photo. It is so much better than freezing your toes off. Remember

Goose bumps are never in style. #agelessstyle Click To Tweet

A little black dress is always appropriate

You don’t like red and you wore the LBD last year? Switch things up by wearing pink instead of red as I did in the post’s inspiration photo. The outfit shown in this post would work well with a red instead of the pink sweater for a Valentine’s day dinner with my husband in an Alaska Roadhouse heated by a woodstove on a -20F (-29.9C) day. Note that at such outside temperatures, it doesn’t get warm enough for cleavage. Any cleavage would look like you are desparate.

fashion blogger in black sheath dress over pink sweater — Outfit details: GAP sheath dress accessorized with two DIY brooches and a Judy Gum brooch over GNW Luxe cashmere wool sweater with GNW tight, and Harley Davidson booties (all own)

Don’t let the right outfit be a random thing. Wear the right look in every situation by looking up what to wear when in How to Dress for Success in Midlife. Buy my book now.

Beautiful Valentine’s day outfit inspirations

Shop your closet for items similar to these depending on your plans.

Dinner at a roadhouse: Sweater dress c/o AMICLUBWEAR with own red Anne Klein sweater worn over the shoulders for a red pop of color, GNW red tight, Moschino belt, Constance bag, and red Manolo Blahnik ankle booties Dinner at a sport bar: Shiny leather pants, Kieselstein Cord belt, statement snake tail buckle, GNW Luxe sweater, Puma sneakers (all own), and India Hicks scarf c/o India Hicks ambassador Tammy Gray

Going out dancing at a bar: Neo Tango shoes, Cuddle Doo top, BCGC belt, and 7 layers tulle skirt (all own)

Going to the movies in warm climate: eShakti Little Red Dress with floral silk scarf, collier de chien belt, and Calvin Klein pumps (all own)

Dinner at a roadhouse: Rose dust lace 3/4 sleeves halftee c/o Halftee with own G-III suede skirt, LandsEnd sweater, GNW tight, Manelo Blanik booties and opera length rose pearl necklace

Casual restaurant: Landsend cashmere sweater, silk scarf, Oliveo pleated leather skirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, DIY bangle, gemstone necklace, pearl studs, upcycled boots, layering top (all own) and tights c/o Hipstik® Legwear

Semi-formal dance event: Navy sequin black velvet sweater dress c/o AMICLUBWEAR, and own Very Fine Dance Shoes Latin dance sandals

Going to the movies and a drink: eShakti motorcycle dress, GNW tight, Micheal Kors wedge sneakers, Collier de Chien belt (all own) and layering top c/o Adea Dinner at a restaurant: New Magram suede leather pants, MOSCHINO belt, August Silk leopard print cardigan worn as top, Hermes collier de chien bangle and Manolo Blanik booties (all own)

Black Tie event: Neck-holder velvet gown with coin belt and leather opera gloves

Semi-formal Valentine’s dance: Tea-length evening-gown and dance shoes

Black tie Valentine’s Ball: Evening gown in various royal blue shades with beaded waves pattern

Military ball: Lace evening gown with silver Ralph Lauren pumps (all own)

Vacation resort: Unbranded maxi dress (own) necklace c/o Happiness Boutique

See these beautiful Valentine's day outfit inspirations. #valentinesday Click To Tweet

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? What will you wear? What are your dressing challenges? Let me know, so I can help you.

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P.S.: You may be interested in reading what mistakes to avoid when dressing for Valentine’s Day.

P.P.S.: Are you still looking for Valentine’s Day gifts? Check out my gift guide for inspirations.

When you like the outfit, why not pinning it to your Pinterest board?