Ready to Black Girl Slay this Valentine’s Day?
Whether you’re going out with your girls for Galentine’s Day, planning dinner with your person, or just looking for an excuse to put on a cute outfit, Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays where you can have fun with your look.
And listen, one thing about me, I love some color. Give me the pinks, reds, wine tones, bold accessories, and anything else that looks good against our skin.
Living in Arizona also gives me a little more freedom because I’m usually not planning my Valentine’s outfit around snow and freezing temperatures. I can do a dress, wide-leg pants, a cute top, or something more casual depending on what Courtney and I have planned.
So if you’re looking for Valentine’s Day outfits for Black women, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite looks for everything from a casual daytime date to a grown-and-sexy Valentine’s dinner.
What Should I Wear for Valentine’s Day?
Your Valentine’s Day outfit should match the kind of date you’re actually going on. A romantic dinner might call for a red or pink dress, heels, or a grown-and-sexy look, while a daytime date could be perfect for jeans, a cute top, or a sweater dress.
Personally, I love an excuse to do the most. Courtney and I don’t get unlimited date nights, so when I have a reason to dress up, I’m taking it. But the best Valentine’s outfit is still one that makes you feel good when you put it on.
What Do You Wear on a Casual Valentine’s Date?
For a casual Valentine’s date, start with something comfortable and then add one element that makes it feel special. Try jeans with a cute red or pink top, a sweater dress with boots, wide-leg pants with a fitted top, or even a Valentine’s graphic tee with a jacket and accessories.
When Courtney and I were dating, we did things like zoo dates for Valentine’s Day. You definitely don’t need cocktail attire for that. Think about where you’re going first, then build the outfit around the date.
What Colors Do People Wear on Valentine’s Day?
And this is where I think Black women can really have fun with it. Jewel tones and bold shades can look absolutely gorgeous against deeper skin tones, so don’t feel like you have to stick to pale pink just because it’s Valentine’s Day. Wear the color that makes you feel good.
Red and pink are the obvious Valentine’s Day colors, but they aren’t your only options. Black, white, burgundy, wine, and even deeper shades like rust can create a beautiful Valentine’s look.
1. A Bold Pink Dress for Valentine’s Day
For this look, I paired the pink dress with red heels and a red clutch. Mixing pink and red used to feel like breaking some kind of fashion rule, but together they make such a fun Valentine’s Day combination. This would be perfect for dinner, cocktails, or any date where you want to get dressed up and be a little extra.
I’m actually not a big light-pink girl, but give me a bold hot pink or fuchsia and now we’re talking. I love how these brighter shades look against our skin, especially for Valentine’s Day.
2. Try a Rust Top With Wide-Leg Pants
Pairing a fitted top with wide-leg pants also gives you that dressed-up look without having to wear a dress. Add heels, statement earrings, and a cute bag and you’ve got an easy Valentine’s date-night outfit that still feels grown and sexy.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you have to wear red or pink. I love this rust-colored top because it’s still warm and romantic without feeling like the obvious Valentine’s Day choice. And on deeper skin tones? So good.
3. You Can Never Go Wrong With a Red Dress
I especially love a sweater dress because you can look put together without sacrificing comfort. Add heels or boots, a cute bag, and a few simple accessories and you’re ready for date night. And if you’re somewhere colder than Arizona, you can easily add tights and a coat without changing the whole look.
A red dress for Valentine’s Day might be the obvious choice, but sometimes the obvious choice is obvious for a reason. Red is bold, sexy, and always makes a statement.
4. Mix Black and White With a Pop of Color
The accessories are what really make this look for me. Add a bright bag, colorful heels, or statement jewelry and suddenly a black-and-white outfit feels completely Valentine’s Day ready. This is such a cute option if you want something fun and different without going full-on red dress.
Valentine’s Day is also a good excuse to play with your clothes a little. You don’t have to wear a solid red or pink outfit from head to toe. I love mixing black and white with a bold pop of color because it still feels festive without being predictable.
Why I Look for Valentine’s Day Outfit Inspiration for Black Women
So don’t feel like your Valentine’s Day outfit has to follow a specific formula. Wear the color. Put on the heels. Carry the bold bag. Or keep it casual if that’s more your style. The point is to wear something that makes you feel good when you walk out the door.
Whenever I’m looking for outfit inspiration, I usually end up typing something like “Valentine’s Day outfits Black girl” into the search bar. Because sometimes I don’t just want to see the outfit, I want to see what it looks like on us.
I want to see the colors against our skin tones. I want inspiration from women with bodies, shapes, hair, and personal styles that might look a little more like mine. And I know I’m not the only Black woman who searches that way.
That’s one of the reasons I love sharing my own outfits here. Whether I’m wearing a bold pink dress, a red sweater dress, or mixing patterns and colors that aren’t traditionally considered “Valentine’s colors,” I want another Black woman to be able to look at it and think, Okay, I can see myself wearing that.
Because one thing about Black women, we’re always going to put our own swag on it.
Wear What Makes You Feel Good This Valentine’s Day
At the end of the day, there really isn’t one right way to dress for Valentine’s Day. You can wear the red dress, pull out the hot pink, mix colors and patterns, or completely ignore traditional Valentine’s colors and wear whatever makes you feel good.
I’m always going to be the girl who uses date night as an excuse to get a little extra. But whether you’re getting dressed up for dinner with your person, going out with your girls for Galentine’s Day, or keeping things casual, your outfit should still feel like you.
And if you needed a little Black girl outfit inspiration before figuring out what you’re wearing this year, hopefully one of these looks gave you an idea. Now go put your own swag on it.
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