8 Valentine's Day Outfit Ideas Fashion Stylists Love (2024)

Whether you dress up and go out for a fancy meal or get cozy on the couch and order some delicious takeout, Valentine’s Day gives us an excuse to make plans and get festive with the ones we love. First comes finalizing your itinerary, next comes figuring out what to wear. However, February 14th comes after months of planning holiday outfits and styling fatigue is a real thing.

Luckily, if you’re standing in front of your closet with zero Valentine’s Day outfit ideas, you’ve come to the right place.Thanks to social media, you can find thousands of Valentine’s Day outfit ideas with the search of a hashtag, but sometimes influencer aesthetics just don’t always resonate with your style. Offline, you can shop your friend’s or a family member’s closet, or study your favorite rom-com characters' wardrobes for a fresh perspective.

If you’re still drawing a blank, no worries: We consulted with three professional stylists who broke down their foolproof Valentine’s Day outfit recommendations you’re sure to love.

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Accessorize With Hearts

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Style therapist and personal stylist Christina Stein recognizes that all-red-everything is an easy Valentine’s Day fallback because it’s classic and romantic, and seeing as how crimson is the “It” color this season, “it’s not hard to find something” that fits the bill. But rather than go for a red ensemble, Stein says she’d rather play with red heart-shaped accessories.

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Choose a Romantic Cutout

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Rather than going bold by way of dramatic slits for your Valentine’s Day outfit, Stein says there are a ton of tops and blazers that have heart-shaped cutouts if you want to be a little extra. “A heart cutout blazer and leather trousers can bring a little edge without sacrificing a bit of Valentine's Day fun,” she says.

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Stick With Traditional Colors

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Red and pink make up the unofficial color palette of Valentine’s Day for a reason, so if you're into a more traditional ensemble, Stein says let these romantic shades do the talking. “Try combining the colors, perhaps a red tulle midi skirt and a fuchsia sweater with coordinating fuchsia pumps,” she recommends.

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Add a Sexy Twist

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Fashion stylist and expert Naina Singla loves a classic red moment for Valentine’s Day but likes to add a little spice to her client’s ensembles. “A red satin or silk spaghetti strap maxi dress with a long black belted wool coat and tall black leather boots,” she says.

How to Wear Red, According to InStyle Editors

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Opt for Some Edge

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Linney Warren, VP of Women's Design at clothing brand Rails, says that a pop of leather adds edge and texture to a Valentine’s Day outfit, plus (if you’re buying something new for the occasion) the material can be worn year-round.“I love the idea of mixing a casual mock-neck sweater with a dressed-up faux leather mini skirt or pairing a midi skirt with an off-shoulder top,” Warren says. “Both are effortless day-to-night date looks.”

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Embrace Lace

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Lace, like red and pink, might be a classic option for Valentine’s Day, but Warren says there’s a way to make it feel fresh. “Incorporating lace through a chic slip dress with pointed-toe kitten heels or an effortless camisole worn with structured trousers and boots is a sophisticated way of giving a nod to delicate lingerie trends,” she says.

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Reach for a Classic LBD

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You can't go wrong with a little black dress for any occasion, but especially on Valentine’s Day. As far as Warren is concerned, the LBD is a fool-proof formula because it’s perfect for virtually every celebration, from a girl's night out or dinner with your partner. Plus, she says, the styling options are endless. For example, you can style “a strapless mini dress with boots and a jacket,” Warren envisions.

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Sneak in Pops of Red

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If going head-to-toe red isn’t your style, Singla suggests adding simple red accessories to complete your Valentine’s Day outfit. “Throw on a pair of mid-wash blue denim with a neutral-colored cashmere sweater, such as grey or brown, then add dark red kitten-heel mules with a small red clutch,” she says. “This is an easy way to experiment with red that offers a beautiful and modern mix of colors.”