Valentine’s Day is approaching faster than I anticipated. Love is in the air in NYC, and I thought I had nothing to wear for the festivities, but I was thankfully wrong. All it took was a little research—aka scrolling on Instagram. I found and saved outfits that I know are easy to re-create for everyone.
The looks I discovered can blend into anyone’s current wardrobe. I focused on outfits built with essentials and basics with Valentine’s Day pops of color to avoid wearing anything cheesy or cringey on the big day. Whether it’s for a Galentine’s night out or a romantic dinner date, these looks can chameleon into the type of outfit you need.
If you waited until the last minute or made last-minute plans and need an outfit ASAP, keep scrolling for outfit inspiration and shop options to re-create these looks.
Red Sweater + Burgundy Skirt + Tan Sandals
You don’t see red and burgundy worn together often, but it’s a stunning combination, especially for Valentine’s Day. One of the easiest ways to marry the colors is to wear a red sweater and a burgundy skirt in a contrasting texture like leather. Then, to complement both colors, throw on a pair of tan heeled sandals.
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Red Sweater + White Pants + Satin Scarf + Red Sandals
White and red are a lovely color combination. Layering a red sweater over a pair of white pants looks chicer than cheesy. Trust me—this outfit is proof. To make your look pop even more, wrap a satin-and-lace scarf around your waist.
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Leather Jacket + Plaid Shirt + Red Skirt + Black Boots
If you’re looking for ways to stay warm but still look festive, then this outfit is for you. The easy layers of a leather jacket over a plaid shirt, paired with a pop-of-red skirt, are suitable for the cold. Just finish your outfit with junky black boots, and you’re set to take on the snowy night.
Gray Coat + Black Scarf + Red Pants + Black Loafers
I would wear this look in a heartbeat. It’s very low-key and chic—quite NYC coded. Gray and red are a great color combination if you’re not into wearing too many bright colors. Gray offsets the intensity of red perfectly. I never thought I’d want hot-red jeans, but here we are. This outfit is perfect for the Valentine’s Day celebrations in the cold.
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Red Dress + Red Tights + White Heels
I’m not usually an all-red-outfit person for Valentine’s Day, but this look changed my mind. Monochromatic outfits for this holiday of love don’t have to be cringe. You can make your outfit look chic by choosing the right silhouettes. Once you’ve found the perfect short red dress, add your simple red tights and a pair of white heels for an elegant color contrast.
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White Dress + Pink Tights + Black Flats
This outfit is definitely for the bold dressers. Colorful tights have been a major winter trend, and they’re perfect for a Valentine’s Day outfit. Style a plain white dress with a pair of hot-pink tights for a pop of color and a pair of black flats if you’re not a heel person.
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Red Longsleeve + Dark-Wash Jeans + Gray Socks + Black Loafers
If you lean toward casual dressing regularly, don’t worry. I’ve found the most laid-back outfit idea. Influencer Ruby Lyn cracked the code for the best effortless, cool girl–coded Valentine’s Day outfit. Throw on a pair of jeans, dark-wash or whatever you like, and a red sweater. Add simple gray socks for a color contrast and black loafers for comfort and style.