When you’re seeing red from literally seeing too much red on Valentine’s Day, chances are you’re not one of the lovey-dovey people who will be traipsing down the usual route of flowers-chocolates-candlelit-dinner this year (don’t get us wrong; we are huge sappy fans of love).
If this particular day makes you allergic to anything pink, red, floral, or heart-shaped in your closet, we’ve got the fashion remedy for you.
Here are 5 ways to put together an anti-Valentine’s Day outfit. You can also wear them on Singles Awareness Day (or Singles Appreciation Day), which is celebrated on February 15 each year.
1. Channel your inner Alexa Chung
Pull out your inner London fashion icon by slipping into a point collar shift dress and pairing it with tons of black.
Amy wears a light blue shift dress with a leather jacket
Go for fringed bangs and bold lip color to bring your too-cool-for-V-Day look to life.
Shop Amy of The Little Magpie‘s look:
Glamorous Light Blue Shift Dress with White Pointed Collar, £32 / Zara Motorcycle Jacket with Zips, $119 / Kate Spade Metro Black Watch, £195 / Prada Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, £230 / Topshop All Ours Ankle Boots, $160
2. Become one of the boys (sort of)
Single men are often more indifferent to Valentine’s Day than single women, so we say, if you can’t beat them, be them. Pull out your oversized boyfriend athletic wear, and pair it with chic textures such as quilted leather.
Sirma wears a sexy shirt dress with oversized activewear
If you feel the need to soften the look, have a bit of lace peeking out from underneath your shirt dress.
Shop Sirma of Sirma Markova‘s look:
Choies Gray Jersey Dress with Silver 80 Pattern, $29.99 / Choies Black Lace Gallus Party Dress, $27.25 / Choies Black Zip Ankle Boots with Ponyskin, $133.99 / B Brian Atwood Lana Rhinestone-Studded Leather Tassel Clutch, $395 / Valentino Vintage Sunglasses, $210.20
3. Sport an updated bohemian look
Bold shoulders and fringes — what a ferociously chic way to update the bohemian look.
Alana wears a bohemian look that’s perfect for Singles Awareness Day
Wear a fringed poncho/vest with a body-con cutout dress underneath. Slip your feet into a gorgeous pair of lace-up suede boots to complete the outfit.
Shop Alana of Instinto de Vestir’s look. Her blog is unfortunately no longer available online:
AQ/AQ Volt Dress, $256 / Guess Fringe Top, $122 / Prada Black Suede Lace-Up Heel Booties, $780 / Stella McCartney Shoulder Bag in Silver, $865 / Italia Independent Velvet Stud Cat-Eye Sunglasses in Black, $240
4. Take a cue from Posh Spice
Nobody does cold-yet-chic better than Victoria Beckham. Slip into a black ruffled dress, and complement your best black-on-black look with leather and stud accessories.
Lili shows how to rock a black ruffled dress with leather
You never know; you might turn up with your own David Beckham.
Shop Lili of Lil’icons’ look:
Banana Republic Sleek Suit Flounce Dress, $140 / Muubaa Minsk Quilted Washed-Leather Biker Jacket, £418.60 / Topshop Aubrey3 Gold-Trim Boots, £78 / Fendi Calf-Hair Cow-Print Baguette Bag, $2,300
5. Crank up the leather
Not willing to let all the bright-eyed people dampen your spirits but still determined to set yourself apart, anyway?
Zipy rocks a bright yellow dress with a leather jacket and a checkered handbag
Wear bright colors with atrocious amounts of black leather (we still recommend staying away from red hues). Now is a good time to bust out those rocking thigh-high leather boots, too.
Shop Zipy of Personal Shopper‘s look:
Zara Long-Sleeve Dress, $79.90 / Balmain Quilted Leather Blouson Jacket, £ 3,875 / Karen Walker Harvest, $280 / Topshop Dazzle Over-the-Knee Boots, $270 / Michael Kors Collection Gia Color-Blocked Clutch with Lock, $595