Styling Romance, With Edge

A formula for Valentine’s dressing that isn’t cliché

Part of getting my pink back has been rediscovering my personal style and actually having fun with it. Trying new silhouettes. Pushing myself a little. Playing again.

Most days I’m in errand mode or playing with my kids, so date nights feel different. They’re my excuse to lean in. To dress up. To add a little edge.

So let’s talk Valentine’s Day. Whether you have a hot date, a Galentine’s dinner, or you’re staying in but still want to feel cute, it’s fun to mark the moment. And with it only a few days away, let’s talk about getting dressed for it.

For date night looks or going out, I never want a V-Day look to feel too on the nose. No obvious red dress. Not cliché. And definitely not overly revealing. The sweet spot is somewhere between romantic and restrained, a little tension if you will.

This year I was completely inspired by Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights press tour looks. That windswept, moody, slightly Victorian energy, juxtaposed with modern tailoring, leather and bows? Obsessed. So I picked three of my favorite looks and recreated them using pieces already in my closet.

What I focused on:

• Soft structure — tailoring with movement
• Romantic details through accessories balanced with something grounded like leather
• Color that nods to love (burgundy, cream, pale pink) without screaming Valentine’s

To me, sexy isn’t necessarily about showing more. It’s about contrast. A strong shoulder with a soft fabric. A mini skirt with an oversized coat. A delicate blouse styled in an unexpected way. That’s where it feels modern.

Here are Margot’s three looks I chose, props to her stylist Andrew Mukamal.

1. This first look, head-to-toe black, is always a yes. What makes this one work is the softness, the drape, the feathers, the low waist. It keeps it from feeling too severe. A little skin, all that black… it’s understated but still sexy.

2. The second look— archival Galliano. I mean… it doesn’t get much better.
   A floor-length coat with pink trim, red thigh-highs, a mini skirt and somehow it feels covered up and not too much skin showing. That’s the magic. It screams sex appeal without actually revealing much. It’s the little pops for me: the pink bows, the jacket buttoned just above the belly button, the loose French twist. Intentional details that shift the energy.

3. The last look leans into almost a sexy rocker vibe. Skinny leather pants with chunky buckles, a sharp pointed shoe, and the intricate satin floral corset.

   I love the juxtaposition; something hyper-feminine paired with tougher, almost masculine pieces. That contrast is what creates tension and tension is always more compelling than obvious.

For my three looks, I focused on texture, proportion, and just enough contrast to make it feel sexy without being over the top. I used what I already had in my closet, not exact replicas, but recreating the energy more than the outfit itself.

1. For the first look, I went all black and added a pop of pink to create depth and texture. Leather pants, a v-neck with a structured sleeve to echo the drape and dimension Margot had going on. Narrow leather toe boots to ground and sharpen everything. It still feels modern and grounded, but feminine. A little skin showing. The pink snakeskin clutch keeps it from feeling flat.

2. For the second, I used this leather jacket and my handmade feather pin to recreate the color and texture story from her look. A burgundy miniskirt and a silver shoe like Margot’s. I didn’t have red thigh highs, but look at the back of these tights. Very Wuthering Heights energy.

3. For the last look, I pulled out these leather pants with the cutouts down the front of the thigh and paired them with this white tank that almost mimics corset boning. The casual tank against tough leather creates that tension I love.

   I added a red pump for richness and a little unexpectedness, plus a vintage silver necklace for hardware. Feminine and strong at the same time.

If you’re scrambling for a vday look and not sure where to start, here’s a simple formula you can follow using what’s already in your closet.

The Modern Valentine’s Formula

If you’re getting dressed for Valentine’s, remember:
Structure + softness + contrast + one pop of color.

1. Start strong
   Black, leather, or structure. Keep the base sharp.

2. Add one soft detail
   Feathers, satin, sheer, drape, mini. Just one.

3. Create contrast
   Feminine + tough. Structured + fluid. That tension is the sexy.

4. One pop of color
   Burgundy, pink, red shoe. Keep it controlled.

5. Ground it
   Pointed toe. Sleek hair. Clean lines.

Hope this helps create a Valentine’s look that feels sexy, modern, and entirely your own.

Until next time!