I’ll be upfront and say I’m not a Valentine’s person. I don’t hate it, I’m just apathetic towards it. During my quest for love I’ve never fantasised about what I would be doing on Valentine’s Day with my person – I’ve had more fantasies about generic Wednesday’s at home with ‘the one’ than I have thought about V-day.
It’s just never been a thing for me, my parents don’t celebrate it, almost all of my coupled-up friends don’t celebrate it. Everyone I know seems to treat it as any other day no matter their relationship status.
According to the internet however, around 60% of couples DO celebrate Valentine’s Day, with approximately £1.3billion being spent in 2022. I seriously have to ask – who are these people? Not being rude or anything, but where are you and who are you? And what are you buying?
Even more fascinating was a little financial fact I heard from Hope Flynn, founder of Feed Me Female. “I’ve been single for years so every time Valentine’s Day would creep-up, I would gently ignore it as I felt as though it wasn’t a day for people like me to celebrate. Then I read a fact stating that ‘UK pet owners will spend £200 million on Valentine’s gifts for their animal’ then I stopped and thought… If a dog can be celebrated on Valentine’s Day then so can I!”
I did once celebrate Valentine’s Day in a big way when I was around 16 or 17. I invited all my girlfriends to my house for a *holds back the cringe*… Galentine’s Day party. Everyone had to wear pink, the food was pink (think strawberry laces and cupcakes) and the drinks were pink (anyone remember Schloer?). What can I say? I love a party, and back then I clearly loved a theme but Galentine’s and Palentine’s has become a thing of late, with people trying to tap into the singles market for everyone’s least favourite fake holiday.
No matter your plans for Feb 14th, I think it’s important to remember, love doesn’t only exist in the vacuum of romantic relationships. When I read Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, one sentence stuck with me – put more romance in your friendships and more friendship in your romances. So, this Valentine’s Day, like all the Valentines Days before them, I will be texting my friends with a simple “Be mine?” and that’s enough for me.
Whether you’re celebrating or not this year, below you can find the ultimate guide offering outfits for all eventualities. Cute pjs, sexy undies and hot date night outfit just in case your crush wants to wine and dine you – because despite bow you feel about Valentine’s Day, who would say no to that?
For a night in on your own…
Keep it cosy and cute with pjs and a rom-com on the couch.
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For a night in with your valentine…
Sexy and sleek underwear incoming. Just remember, babies conceived on Valentine’s Day would likely be born early November so keep in mind you would be having a Scorpio child, should things escalate.
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For a singles night out…
Hot girls unite! Throw on a silky slip dress and some killer boots and let them come to you.
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For a night out with your valentine…
If you are being wined and dined, this is the outfit for you (and for the very lucky person taking you out).
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A Gal-or-Palentines’ night out
Oh yes it’s ladies night, and the feelings right, oh yes it’s ladies night, oh what a night!
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And for when you are totally ignoring that this day exists…
A cute outfit for just existing and living your life, because it’s just February 14th, after all.
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