Valetine’s Day: Dinner with Your Sweetie (1/3)

Oh, how I heart Valentine’s Day: it’s a chance to tell all your loved ones how special they are to you… and an excuse to wear bright red in the dead of winter! Yippee!

No matter what your relationship status is, every girl deserves to look gorgeous on February 14, so I’ve come up with 3 different red-hot outfits that answer the question, “What should I wear on Valentine’s Day?” I’ve got an outfit for every occasion — from fancy to laid back.

First up: Dinner with You Sweetie.

(Come back tomorrow for another Vday outfit!)

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Go Get ‘Em Dress in Red
$48 – modcloth.com

Peep Toe Heels
$17 – forever21.com

Glittered Clutch
$18 – forever21.com

Bohemian Necklace
$35 – modcloth.com

Nicole by OPI Nail Polish – Glitter in My Stocking
$7.04 – target.com

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You might also like:
Valentine’s Day: A First Date
Valentine’s Day: Cozy Night In

Winter Wedding Outfit

Reader Question: I’m attending a wedding this month in Chicago. What the heck does one wear to a winter wedding?!

Style Me Thrifty: Winter weddings can be romantic, cozy, and well, freezing cold. Here are a few easy tips keep in mind when putting together a winter-friendly outfit for a wedding.

• Pick a dress in a rich color like burgundy, eggplant, or peacock blue. These colors are great for cold months and look lovely with non-tanned skin.
• Stay warm in your cocktail dress by adding tights. I especially love textured tights – they add personality!
• When in doubt, a little black dress is a solid choice but spice it up with colorful heels or jewelry.
• Pack layers — a pashmina for when you’re indoors and peacoat and gloves for the trip home.
  

Sidenote: I’ve started using Polyvore, an interactive site that let’s you assemble outfits and links directly to the retailers that sell the items. I’m still learning the ropes (which is why some of you got an email saying the outfit was posted, oops!) but I think it’ll be fun. Let me know what you think.

Winter Wedding Outfit by stylemethrifty.

Dot tight
$8.99 – kohls.com

Forever21 fringe earrings
$4.76 – forever21.com

Forever21 bracelet set
$6.80 – forever21.com

eShakti – Dressed in Pink
$100 – eshakti.com

Kohl’s Sacred Heart Amano Platform High Heels
$60 – kohls.com

Hot Pockets

Last weekend I was at my brother-in-law’s birthday party and found myself in enthusiastic conversation about — what else — pockets! Yes, pockets. Those cozy little storage devices that are turning up more & more in women’s fashion. I tell ya, not only are pockets super convenient, they also make great dinner party talk!

The consensus of all the women around the dinner table was simple: say yes to pockets! I love having a spot to store my keys, cell phone, Burt’s Bee Lip Balm, or extra ponytail holder. And if I’m standing around a party, it’s always nice to know my hands have a home when they’re feeling fidgety.

So the next time you’re trying on a fabulous dress in the fitting room and you realize it also has pockets — my recommendation is to BUY IT! Here are a few cute pocket dress options:

Love this bold ruffled dress from Lulus for $58.

And this fun colorblock cocktail dress for $59 also from Lulus.

Work dresses with pockets? I’ll take two! (below: Shirtdress $79.50 from Loft)

Or this cute patterned dress from the cleverly named Hand in Pocket for $86.

Pockets are also turning up in swoon-worthy bridal gowns…

And in adorable bridesmaid dresses, like this – perfect for my tissues!

Even the celebs are jumping on this trend, like the smokin’ Jennifer Aniston at the premiere of “Horrible Bosses.” Eat your heart out, Brad.

Dare to Re-wear

Reader Question: In today’s social media age, where photos spring up online almost as soon as they are taken, what is your advice on re-wearing a dress to a wedding that your friends have probably already seen on your Facebook page?

Answer: This blog is not called Style Me Thrifty for nothing! Here is what I recommend you do:

Step 1: Wear the dress to the first wedding.

Step 2: Pose for a million photographs because, heck, you look good.

Step 3: Post the photos on Facebook for the world to see, which includes those ex-boyfriends that you haven’t spoken to in approximately 7 years.

Step 4: Re-wear that same exact dress to the second wedding, snap some more photos, and share them on Facebook. Now sit back and smile in triumph. You have just proven that you are a confident, THRIFTY fashionista. Style Me Thrifty is so proud!

All joking aside, I think this reader’s question is really interesting. We have hit a point with social media that it’s beginning to influence the way we dress. Crazy — but it’s a reality!

With 500 million active users, Facebook has become a part of everyone’s daily life. For example, how many times have you posed for a photograph with friends and immediately demanded, “Make sure you post that to Facebook!” It’s almost as though a photo doesn’t exist until it’s on Facebook. But that doesn’t mean Facebook gets the upper hand!

I believe in living — and dressing — for the moment. The second we start worrying what our virtual friends will think of our clothing, or the fact that we’re re-wearing a $15 dress from Old Navy (true story, see photos), then we lose sight of what’s important. Be in the moment, at your friend’s wedding, and feel pretty in that dress.

Now, let’s say the guests at the wedding saw you in the same dress last weekend. Why not change up your hair and accessories? It’s amazing how a loose chignon and a chunky necklace can change the overall tone of an outfit.

Final verdict: Re-wear the dress and spend the next day counting the dollar bills that are still in your wallet from not having to purchase a new dress.

PS – Shameless plug but appropriately timed: have you “liked” Style Me Thrifty on Facebook yet?!