This guide discusses the best Valentines Day outfits over 40. Get ideas what to wear for Valentine’s Day for various plans. Read to get inspired.
- Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to wear red
- What to consider when picking the Best Valentines Day Outfits over 40?
- Where will you go?
- How long do you know each other?
- How will you get there?
- A little black dress is always appropriate
- Beautiful Outfit Inspirations for What to Wear for Valentine’s Day over 40
Disclosure: This post has affiliate links.
What to Wear for Valentine’s Day the Modern Way
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. Third, there is no real reason why Valentine’s Day is associated with wearing red.
Valentine’s Day Doesn’t Mean You Have to Wear Red
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 in your best outfits for Valentines Day over 40. First of all,
Stylist tip: Ditch the old-fashioned rule to wear red on Valentine’s Day.
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 Best Valentines Day Outfits over 40?
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.
When you are going to a Valentine’s Ball or dance party 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. In case of a social dance, a fancy fit-and-flare dress with or without some red will do the trick. Informal or casual? The best Valentines outfits over 40 are metallic pants or a sequin skirt with a cute top, or (white) jeans with an embellished or sequin top.
Is there a theme? If so, stick to it, and you are out of the salad. For a Valentine’s social dance with a romantic theme, stick out of the crowd with a floral print dress without red like the blue and white one below. It is very modest, but features your boobs, and legs without having a mini length hem.
Stylist tip: Less skin leaves more to the imagination.
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 showcases 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.
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.
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 inside for deep cleavage in the front or back. Any cleavage would look like you are desperate.
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.
Outfit Inspirations for What to Wear for Valentine’s Day over 40
Shop your closet for items similar to these depending on your plans.
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
Black Tie, Military ball, formal ball/event
Semi-formal event
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.
Photos: G. Kramm
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