Valentine’s Day Dressing, Reconsidered: A Lulu Zagame Shopping Edit
We ask Krisha from Planning to share her tips and outfit ideas for Valentine's Day.
Krisha here! Valentine’s Day has a way of sneaking up on us, and sometimes the only plan we really have is what we’re going to wear.
Why did January feel like a year? It stretched endlessly, between work, Melbourne’s heat finally, and the low-level mental chaos that seems standard now. The version of ourselves who could leisurely scroll for inspiration feels like a distant memory.But if January taught us anything, it’s that life rarely goes as planned. Plans change. Dates get rescheduled. Clothes get stained. And yet, there’s a quiet pleasure in dressing with intention, even if the intention is simply: “I want to feel like myself, just slightly more put together.”
This Valentine’s Day, we’ve gathered some women’s clothing suggestions, anchored to scenes you might recognise, and just maybe, they will inspire you to treat yourself or someone you love.
A Valentine’s Day Shopping List with Lulu Zagame
What we actually look for in Valentine’s Day outfits now
- Fabrics that can handle heat, food, and sitting down
- Shapes that feel flattering but comfortable
- Clothes we’d happily wear again next week
Valentine’s Day often carries the weight of expectation. Heart-shaped chocolates and the pressure to impress. The antidote? Dressing for yourself first. Wearing something that makes you feel grounded, elegant, and a little playful — not over-styled or overly romantic. The pieces that have stuck in our minds this month aren’t loud declarations. The dresses we’ve been thinking about feel flexible, romantic, yes, but with a life-ready practicality.
Sometimes, you want something longer but still breezy. I purchased a maxi shirt dress a while back and never wore it but now I live in it, which says a lot of of my current lazy state of mind but that’s not the only reason. It just make a simple summer look more exciting. In an attempt to create an exciting wardrobe, I’ve been desperately seeking items that serve ‘my super rich absent mother’s coveted wardrobe’.
Short Sleeve Trench Maxi Dress in Blushing Paisley by Lulu Zagame
This romantic dress is calling me. Structured enough to feel intentional, soft enough to feel relaxed. Perfect for an impromptu lunch date or an evening that may or may not include a bouquet of roses. It has these interesting proportions in all the right ways and I adore the detailing.
Sweet, structured, and nostalgic, perfect if Valentine’s Day makes you want to lean into your softer feminine side, while still wearing flats for comfort. A while ago, I’d have called myself a ‘minimalist’ but recently the label has felt so bland. Like I’m hiding. I don’t know where this internal criticism is coming from but it probably has something to do with insta to the gram. There’s a lot of pressure to ‘perform’ your style which often has very little to do with the reality of day-to-day life. So I just want to feel pretty.
3 Ways we’d wear tops and pants on Valentine’s Day (even if plans fall through):
- Pair the ruffle blouse with wide-leg palazzo pants and flat sandals, the ruffle blouse is my most frivolous piece but who’s to say I don’t have a core need for this!!? There are very few occasions in my diary that would warrant this purchase but perhaps that’s why I do need it, in order manifest more of these moments.
- Half-tuck the tailored shirt into elasticated high-waist pants for instant polish
- Add a delicate necklace to feel like something special happened, even if it didn’t. Back in my youth, when I was hungover I would often dress extravagantly for the sake of it (probably because I was still under the influence) and I really miss those moments.
