ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE... AND COMFY CLOTHES!

THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE’S DAY is shrouded in mystery. My favourite legend is that the great Roman priest Saint Valentinus was sentenced to death for marrying couples in secret and wrote a series of letters to his lover signed ‘from your Valentine’ while imprisoned, the first on February 14. Whatever truth lies behind it, it has – despite all its cheesy, gender-condescending clichés – become a romantic holiday and one which many of us look forward to celebrating every year. And why not – who doesn’t want to be treated to dinner and gifts and maybe even a stolen weekend away in the country?

Retailers, of course, relish our starry-eyed enthusiasm, not least because most of us lose the run of ourselves buying cuddly toys and heart-shaped chocolates. But many of us want to look the part too. It is, after all, the most romantic evening of the year. Sartorial guides for dressing on Valentine’s Day have, rather senselessly in the past, been rooted in tacky, ostentatious clichés. Black lacy dresses, stiletto heels, faux fur, red lips – clothes with sex appeal. But they’re not the sort of clothes in which you’d happily eat a three-course dinner.

Never mind the clichés, I say. Whatever you choose to wear, remember it should never challenge your perception. You need to dress like yourself, not like the inescapably seductive creature you think you ought to be. That means if you’re a jeans and top sort of girl, then you amp up your jeans and top, not reluctantly squeeze yourself into a slinky LBD. You can if you desire but if it’s out of your comfort zone, I would advise against it.

A deep ruffled V neckline or poet’s sleeve on a blouse with highwaisted trousers or structured boyfriend jeans, depending on your desired silhouette, works perfectly. Similarly, ruffles and broderie anglaise lace on a skirt have just as much impact as a figure-hugging dress worn with a cami or a T-shirt – it’s a sweet, feminine combination that looks relaxed without exuding a lack of effort.

I’m a big believer in wearing something that has a story. Valentine’s is the night for favourite vintage pieces, shoes that make you happy and your ‘lucky’ earrings – anything that has a good story because it serves as a good ice-breaker – particularly if it’s a first or second date. The deal-breaker is that you absolutely need to be comfortable. Wear something cool but uncomplicated that you can happily put on and not have to think about.

I love the classic combination of silk and heavy linen high-waist trousers (above left) and the contrast of colours via jumpsuit and turtleneck (above right, both Marks & Spencer) dressed up or down with heels or flats, depending on your destination. Ha y Valentine’s!

“WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO WEAR, IT SHOULD NEVER CHALLENGE YOUR PERCEPTION”