The looks of love

Damn the begrudgers and go all out for some red-hot looks, for the week that's in it

There are many historical theories and explanations for our modern-day Valentine’s Day celebrations – but it would be entirely too innocent of us not to lay a large portion of the blame at capitalism’s door, where red roses and dark chocolates seem to increase exponentially in price as soon as February 1st has arrived.

Whatever the reason, for some Valentine’s Day is a religious celebration, a day to celebrate a man who stood up for love (I know, very Destiny’s Child of him); for others, it is a day to celebrate their own love(s); for others still, it is a day to avoid restaurants and bars and places couples congregate, a day to watch horror films and get takeaway food (and ignore pitying looks from the delivery guy/gal).

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Lipstick (€6.75) by Limited Collection at Marks Spencer

Red is the colour of Valentine’s Day – of roses and chocolate boxes, of teddy bears and silk hearts. In recent years, as happened in so many facets of life, we outgrew the more “twee” traditions that go along with the day of love; we stopped going on dates because it’s too schmaltzy (not to mention expensive); we stopped buying roses because they’re too expensive (and a bit schmaltzy); and we stopped wearing red, because it’s tacky and obvious.

Well, ding dong, the irony is dead – now’s the time to hark back to the magazines of your teenage years, to issues of Bliss and Seventeen and Sugar that told you to wear red and pink, do your hair in romantic curls and (literally) wear your heart on your sleeve. It’s time to reclaim the schmaltz, get decked out in your most Valentine’s-appropriate gear and enjoy the day for what it is – a chance to listen to Barry White, buy a bunch of roses (for yourself or for someone else), and flirt outrageously with whoever you please, whenever you please.