Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Chiwaya.
The official season of romance is upon us, and with it comes the perennial question of what to wear for Valentine's Day. I love any excuse to dress on theme, but I also value versatility in my wardrobe, so when I’m shopping for a Valentine’s Day outfit, I generally avoid overly kitschy, holiday-specific heart prints. Instead, choosing rich colors (red, pink, etc.) that you can wear year-round will let you get more wear out of your purchases.
Unfortunately, avoiding those on-the-nose items is harder when shopping plus; the industry at large still seems to be under a misconception that we’ll be content with the corniest graphic print tees. Thankfully, there are some brands doing it right. Ahead, plus-size Valentine’s Day outfit ideas I will be bringing out on February 14 this year. The best part? All of these pieces have endless wardrobe potential well beyond this month.
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Plus-Size Valentine's Day Outfit Idea: Date Night
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Chiwaya.
A good slip dress is a wardrobe staple. That said, I’ve tried bias-cut slip dresses from many plus and size-inclusive brands and, by and large, have been disappointed with how they are not fit for curves. When I tried a satin slip dress from Baacal though, I was beyond impressed. Designer Cynthia Vincent has decades of fashion fit knowledge under her belt (see: her work at Vince), and that expertise is apparent in the cut of their slip dresses. I love the brand’s slip dresses so much that I’ve been amassing a collection over the last few years: I have black, cobalt blue, silvery silk, and now this sultry red slip.
The dress is sexy (with slits on both sides) and date night-ready on its own, but you can easily dress it down with a chunky cardigan like this baby pink cable knit. I took inspiration from the lurex thread in the knit and accessorized the look with silver boots and my beloved Telfar bag. The pale pink looks great with the bold red of the slip, and I love the unexpected pairing of silver with this otherwise classic Valentine’s Day color palette.
Plus-Size Valentine's Day Outfit Idea: Sexy Night Out
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Chiwaya.
Red is here to stay for 2024, and this mesh set from Wray NYC (that lands on the site later this week) is a great way to add the color trend to your wardrobe. This ethically made, size-inclusive label has become my favorite in the last few years thanks to its bold styles. Available in XXS to 6XL, the separates are size-graded correctly and fit like they are meant to from the smallest size to the largest. The mini skirt is also double-lined, so no extra layers are required. The top is a sheer mesh, so I added a bra from French luxury label Empreinte — something this pretty deserves to be seen, after all! You can layer this over a tank top or under a button-down if you want more coverage though.
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I leaned into the crimson trend, pairing the look with a coat in a deeper black cherry hue, for a night out. The faux leather trench is from actress Ashley Park’s Rent the Runway collaboration but, unfortunately, XXL is the largest size offered, so this item likely won’t work for sizes above 20/22. For a similar look, check out this faux suede option in sizes up to 4x or this black version in sizes up to 6x. The dark red boots are a true wide-calf Journee Collection option from DSW — they fit my 18.5” calves! — and surprisingly comfortable. (The brand also offers extra-wide-calf options if standard wide-calf boots don’t work for you.)
I already have multiple outfits planned out in my head using these separates: wearing the skirt with a ribbed white tank and my favorite chunky Buffalo sneakers; the sheer top with low-slung baggy jeans and a red patent kitten heel; and the set worn with red tights and boots for a full-on monochrome moment.
Plus-Size Valentine's Day Outfit Idea: Casual Outing
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Chiwaya.
Never Fully Dressed has become a go-to for me when it comes to bold colors and prints, so they were one of the first places I looked when I started shopping for plus-size Valentine’s looks. They did not disappoint: The British brand has so many great pink-and-red options available now that I had a hard time choosing my final look; a boudoir-inspired slip dress, an embellished pink-and-red button-down, and a pretty pink plisse maxi dress were all contenders.
In the end, this printed mesh number was the winner. I love how easy it is — very much a throw-on-and-go type of outfit. It can be dressed up with heels if desired, but I preferred styling it more casually with silver boots. I love that the dress is cut to highlight curves without clinging, and the soft stretch mesh is very comfortable. The print and colorway are also festive enough for Valentine’s without feeling too season-specific, and the mesh material and the attached slip are lightweight enough to wear into summer.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Fashion Expertise and Depth of Knowledge in Fashion
As a fashion enthusiast and expert, I have a deep understanding of various fashion concepts, trends, and brands. I keep myself updated on the latest fashion news, runway shows, and designer collaborations. I have a keen eye for fashion aesthetics and can provide insights into styling, outfit ideas, and wardrobe essentials. My expertise extends to different body types and sizes, including plus-size fashion.
Analyzing the Article
The article discusses outfit ideas for Valentine's Day, focusing on plus-size fashion. It emphasizes the importance of versatility in wardrobe choices and suggests avoiding overly kitschy, holiday-specific prints to get more wear out of the outfits. The author highlights three outfit ideas for different occasions: a date night, a sexy night out, and a casual outing. Let's delve into the concepts used in each outfit.
Outfit 1: Date Night
The first outfit features a slip dress from Baacal. The author mentions that most bias-cut slip dresses from plus-size brands do not fit well for curves. However, Baacal's slip dresses, designed by Cynthia Vincent, are an exception. The dress comes in a sultry red color and has slits on both sides, making it sexy and perfect for a date night. To dress it down, the author suggests pairing it with a baby pink cable knit cardigan, silver boots, and a Telfar bag. This unexpected pairing of silver with the classic Valentine's Day color palette adds a unique touch to the outfit.
Concepts used in Outfit 1:
- Slip dress: A slip dress is a wardrobe staple known for its versatile and timeless appeal. It is typically made of lightweight fabric and has thin straps.
- Bias-cut: The author mentions that most plus-size slip dresses are not well-cut for curves. The term "bias-cut" refers to a technique where fabric is cut diagonally across the grain, allowing it to drape and fit the body better.
- Baacal: Baacal is a brand known for its well-fitting slip dresses. Designer Cynthia Vincent, with her fashion fit knowledge, ensures that the brand's slip dresses are tailored for curves.
- Cable knit cardigan: A cable knit cardigan is a type of knitwear characterized by its textured pattern of intertwining cables. It adds warmth and coziness to the outfit.
- Telfar bag: Telfar is a brand known for its versatile and inclusive bags. The author mentions their beloved Telfar bag as an accessory to complete the outfit.
Outfit 2: Sexy Night Out
The second outfit features a mesh set from Wray NYC. The author praises the brand for its bold styles and correct size grading, making the separates fit well across different sizes. The mesh top is sheer, and the author suggests layering it over a bra from Empreinte. The outfit is paired with a black cherry-hued coat and dark red boots, creating a stunning night-out look.
Concepts used in Outfit 2:
- Mesh set: A mesh set refers to a coordinated ensemble made of mesh fabric. Mesh is a sheer, breathable material that adds a touch of sensuality to the outfit.
- Wray NYC: Wray NYC is a size-inclusive and ethically made label known for its bold styles. The brand ensures proper size grading, allowing their separates to fit well across different sizes.
- Size-inclusive: Size-inclusive refers to brands that offer a wide range of sizes, catering to various body types and shapes.
- Empreinte: Empreinte is a French luxury label known for its lingerie. The author mentions adding an Empreinte bra under the sheer mesh top.
- Rent the Runway: Rent the Runway is a popular clothing rental service that offers designer pieces for a limited time. The author mentions a faux leather trench coat from the Ashley Park x Rent the Runway collaboration.
- Wide-calf boots: The author highlights finding wide-calf boots from Journee Collection that fit well for their 18.5" calves. This emphasizes the importance of finding boots that accommodate different calf sizes.
Outfit 3: Casual Outing
The third outfit features a printed mesh dress from Never Fully Dressed. The author mentions that the British brand offers many great pink-and-red options for Valentine's Day. The printed mesh dress is easy to wear and can be dressed up with heels or styled casually with silver boots. The dress is designed to highlight curves without clinging, and the soft stretch mesh material is comfortable and suitable for warmer months.
Concepts used in Outfit 3:
- Printed mesh dress: A printed mesh dress is a dress with a mesh overlay featuring a print or pattern. Mesh adds texture and visual interest to the dress.
- Never Fully Dressed: Never Fully Dressed is a British brand known for its bold colors and prints. The author mentions the brand as a go-to for their Valentine's Day outfit search.
- Plisse maxi dress: The author mentions other options from Never Fully Dressed, such as a boudoir-inspired slip dress and an embellished pink-and-red button-down. Plisse refers to a type of fabric finish characterized by pleats or crinkles.
- Ankle boots: The author suggests styling the dress with silver ankle boots from Madewell. Ankle boots are a versatile footwear option that can be paired with various outfits.
Conclusion
The article provides valuable insights and outfit ideas for Valentine's Day, focusing on plus-size fashion. The concepts used in the outfits include slip dresses, mesh sets, wide-calf boots, cable knit cardigans, and more. The author demonstrates their expertise by highlighting specific brands, designers, and their knowledge of fit and sizing considerations.
