By Pippa Lynch*

In style: What's 'pink' in being in love?

Valentine’s Day is a great day to slow down and take a little time out for you and your partner. We want you to enjoy that time, so we have set out to make your Valentine’s Day a little less stressful – no more bothering about what to wear when he says “wear whatever you want!”

Here are some tips for navigating the murky waters of your partner’s date invitation:

Smart Date:

These are usually evening occasions, which might include dinner, theatre or dancing. The classic Little Black Dress is always a winner – pair with some killer heels and you’re good to go.

Prom dresses are also very trendy at the moment and will give a you a more playful and feminine edge. But a more formal date doesn’t necessarily mean Black Tie – think Cocktail. This means short dresses in bright or neutral colours, with hair up or down.

Casual Date

Ah, the casual date – now this is where it gets tricky as men fancy themselves somewhat creative in their choice of date venue. Prepare yourself for anything from ice-skating to bowling.

But to ensure that you are not wearing stilettos to a romantic strawberry picking extravaganza, here are some guidelines for dressing for a casual date: fabulous jeans with bejewelled sandals will be appropriate for any sort of date, whether it involves lots of walking or simply sitting down.

Given that February is still a warm month, you can also get away with wearing a summer dress paired with ballet flats or sandals

If you think the date might extend into the evening, wrap a shawl around your shoulders and fasten with a brooch. Accessories can make or break an outfit, so whatever you do, ensure that you have a fabulous bag by your side – large clutches and statement bags are all the rage this season.

*Author info: Pippa Lynch, All4Women Feature

Pippa Lynch is a Fashion Stylist, and focuses on Fashion Styling, Image Consulting, Personal Branding, Style Advice, and just about anything else fashion-related. Visit www.pippalynch.co.za for more information, or email pippa@pippalynch.co.za if you have any fashion and style queries.