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Desk to Dinner Valentine's Day Edition

It's that time of year where every blogger ever posts their Valentine's Day recommendations. So here we are jumping on that bandwagon with this edition of desk to dinner dressing. While our previous desk to dinner (check it out HERE) focused on dressing down office attire for an after work sporting event or concert, this edition of desk to dinner will provide recommendations for a variety of Valentine's Day dates at varying levels of formality (starting with the fanciest and getting more casual). 

Fancy Night Out: 

Honestly, this is the area where we have the least experience when it comes to Valentine's Day but we'll do our best. Also to be fair, dress codes, even at fancy restaurants have gotten way more casual, so you're probably fine in whatever you wore to work.  But we digress. Plus, it's Valentine's Day so you should be at least a little festive? Allegedly? Maybe don't wear all black? 

Anyway, this portion of the post is probably going to be pretty dress heavy because dresses are some of the easiest items to dress up or down. Here are some options we really like: 
  • Channel the Duchess of Cambridge in this short sleeve flounce ponte dress from J. Crew Factory. The festival red is particularly festive (see what we did there) and would be surprisingly versatile. We think it would pair nicely with black tights, pumps, a black tweed blazer, and simple jewelry for the office. Lose the blazer and add a festive necklace (like this one!) and you've got a great dinner outfit. 
  • Not super into wearing head to toe pink or red? This navy and red polka dot dress from Zara is for you. It would be stunning at work with nude tights (or micro fish nets) and basic navy shoes or a cute suede shoe with a block heel (cobalt would be adorable). Dress it up for dinner with a metallic or velvet shoe (or these bejeweled flats) and a fun earring. 
  • Don't want to go the dress route? We love the idea of black skinny trousers with an off the shoulder sweater. Cowl neck would also look fabulous. Wear with with pointed toe pumps and simple jewelry for the office and dress it up with fancy earrings and knockout shoes for dinner. Need some accessory inspiration? We love these floral tortoise hoop earrings from J. Crew Factory. Shoes? We love red with animal print so how about these? 

Casual Night Out w/ Friends or Significant Other

Whether it's an early dinner and bowling or going to the Bulls game, this is kind of our Valentine's Day wheelhouse. It's easy, fun, low pressure. It's also makes dressing pretty easy. In fact, this is where our Valentine's Day will be spent. 

What are some outfits we like? See below. 
  • This cashmere sweater dress from Neiman Marcus is kind of perfect. The silhouette is simple and perfect to dress up or down. We really love the quartz (which looks like a blush) and the aubergine. Both would be especially lovely paired with patterned tights for work with pumps. Swap out the pumps for booties and you're ready for a low key evening. 
  • It's cold and we're feeling particularly lazy when it comes to clothing. Thus, a fun sweater and ponte pants seems like the perfect low key Valentine's Day outfit. We think this sweater (with a cami for work) is festive and fun and would look lovely with these pants (LOVE the ankle zip). P.S. you don't have to wear pink or red to be festive for Valentine's Day. However, if you do want to incorporate some of the traditional Valentine's Day colors into this outfit, we recommend a shoe. Options we like? How about these (lucky sizes only)! To transition from day to night switch out the shoes to a fun sneaker or ballet flat. 
  • We love a red pant and the scalloped hem on this pair from J. Crew Factory is adorable. We'd pair it with this leopard print Teddie sweater from J. Crew Factory (Katie 1 has this sweater and LOVES it) for a fun Valentine's Day look. For the office we'd pair it with a classic black pump (like this pair) or a block heel for a trendier take on the look (we like this option). Dress the look down by swapping the pumps for a loafer or mule (we love this pair and this pair) or a ballet flat (like these). 
Night at Home Watching Fatal Attraction and Eating Take Out

Unfortunately we don't have any desk to dinner attire advice here. Why? Because whether you're spending your night in with yourself, your significant other or friends, you should be comfy and cozy and some seriously amazing loungewear. Some of our favorites are below.

  • If you want to be seriously fabulous in with your loungewear, you can't go wrong with a super luxurious cashmere lounge set. For the money, Neiman Marcus offers some of the best sets available. We particularly love this one (and think the sweater is awesome enough to be worn on its own). This set also looks super cozy (and we'd probably travel in it). 
  • More of a pajama person? We look the look of a matching set and nothing is cozier than flannel. We're particularly fond of these (Barney Stinson would approve), these (although not flannel but too cute to not include) and these (also not flannel). 
  • Not into matchy-matchy? More of a leggings, tank and long line cardigan person? We're also fans of that look. Some of our favorite options? See below!
    • Leggings
      • We have these brushed fleece leggings from Hue and while they are a little see through but super cozy and perfectly fine for lounging around the house. 
      • Technically a jogger, this option from Old Navy seems super cozy. 
    • Tanks
      • Because why not lounge in a tank that accurately describes who you are. 
      • Tacos are our Valentine too, just like this t-shirt. 
    • Sweater/Sweatshirt/Cardigan
      • Katie 1 has last year's version of this open-front boucle cardigan from Old Navy and loves it. 
      • Prefer to ignore Valentine's Day? Remember that it's also Winter Olympic season so support Team USA in this hoodie. 
Whether you're celebrating with your significant other, friends or yourself we hope you have a super cozy Valentine's Day. Enjoy! 

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