Fashionably in love

The problem with Valentine's day is that it is like a stage play. There's a performance, preceded by several technical rehearsals (read planning what to wear, trying on clothes, shoes, accessories etc..), at the end of which, one always ends up more confused.

Here are a few ideas that will not cost you a bomb (after all, why invest so much money for some thing that lasts a couple of hours at best) and will not cause you undue anxiety.

Women in black
The little or not-so-little black dress- every girl should have it, but only if she finds the perfect one for her.
Often, women buy things that are must haves in their wardrobe, without bothering to examine if it is reflective of their personality.

For example, some girls are gowns, some are A-line, some are asymmetric, some are shifts, while some are plain unpre dictable. So..is your black dress you?

Lady in red
Red is a colour that has somehow got associated with Valentine's day , but do not wear it, if it is not you. Very few women can carry off a red dress. Sometimes, it is a good idea to offset it with a stole or a jacket. Even fewer can carry off red lipstick, so watch out.

Improvisation is key when you have to create a new look for yourself that your beau may not have seen before.

Do you have a paisley silk scarf somewhere in your wardrobe? How about converting it into a tube top by folding it crosswise and tying it around your bust ?

Or even into a sash for your black dress or a neck piece by knotting it up a few times over a low neck dress..

Tone it down
Bling is good, but you might need to think twice before overdoing it. If your clothes are bling, the footwear and bag should preferably be non-bling.

Alternately wear something muted and , go completely bling on your shoes, purse, belt and what not.

The perfect gift. Well, there is no limit to what money can buy, but sometimes, just a T shirt made with a photoprint of you can do the trick.

The Guccis, Valentinos and Tommy Hilfigers can take a walk.