Valentine's Day Dress Codes

Valentine's Day is a hard to nut to crack. You've picked the right flowers, nabbed the last-minute reservation, but the question remains: just what are you supposed to wear?           

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, as everyone's Valentine's Day is unique. If you've been married five years or just met five weeks ago, you're likely doing completely different things. So here's a guide that will have you covered from candlelight dining to dinner at home.

The Big Night Out

Perhaps you’ve got a big announcement to make, or just want to show that special person in your life that they are appreciated (the latter is always a good idea). Either way, you’ve got a table someplace fancy and you’ll both be wearing your best.

But your “best” doesn’t have to be whatever you wore to your last office presentation. You can separate pleasure from business by selecting a shirt in a more colorful shade, such as lavender, that will still work with a dark suit. Balance it out with a dark, solid tie.

The Casual Dinner

So you’re not quite at the “fancy dinner date” stage of your relationship, or perhaps you’re both more comfortable taking it easy. Casual is good, but that doesn’t mean you must stick to familiar jeans-and-a-buttondown territory. Mark the occasion as special by donning a textured sportcoat such as herringbone, that won’t be mistaken as one half of a suit. Then keep the mood light and with a patterned shirt and a colorful pair of chinos.

The Valentine's Day-In

If it’s your first Valentine’s Day as a couple, cooking can be an easy, low-stress way to mark the occasion. Even if a broken-in tee and sweatpants is your typical domestic uniform, a dark pair of jeans and a crisp, patterned buttondown will communicate that you’re putting your best foot forward. Rolling up the sleeves will make the atmosphere a little more casual—and help prevent pesky marinara stains.