look hot, date or not

Happy Valentine's Day!

(my trash bag valentine)

(Or, as in my case, Singles Awareness Day....)

Anyways, there's no reason not to celebrate tonight, regardless of your romantic entanglements. Being single is not an excuse for the lack of effort in your style! Concentrate on looking fabulous for yourself (even if you plan to spend your night curled up under a pool table at a local dive, patheticially lapping up the last sips from empty beer cans you pulled out of the trash.....)

Normally I would make my own list of some must-haves and great ideas for this Hallmark holiday. However, Style Diary has already compiled what I consider to be one of the best lists out there.

10. Define It! Ask yourself what you find sexy and what you feel sexy in. Some women may think its iron straight hair, puffy lips and a skimpy mini dress while others find it in a clean classic look. Take a little time honing your radar and it’ll become easier to dress the part. For me, it’s all about soft, flowing dresses and pretty heels and I’ll be on the hunt for these items in the future.

9. ID Your Best Body Parts and Emphasize Them: I once saw a slightly heavier woman at a club in Chicago, and even though she wasn’t a perfect size 2, every guy couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Why? She knew how to dress for her body. Find your strong points and work around them. Got great legs? Flaunt them in a flowing dress that hits a little higher on the thigh. Strong, tanned arms? Try a basic tank so they can stand out!

8. Know Thy Fabric: Fabric is key to looking hot! Not only do you want to hunt for the right types of fabric (soft, floaty, sheer are good) but also those that look great on. Take your time and experiment with everything that’s out there. It’s the best way to learn what works and what doesn’t.

7. Understand Balance: The way you balance the pieces in your date night outfit is going to dictate its overall feel. For example, a short mini with a tiny, snug fitting top and high heels will produce one look, while the same skirt with a loose, pretty top and heels will produce another. I like to stick to the rule of thumb that if one item is crazy hot, the others need to be understated and I think this works for most as well.

6. Less Can Be More: I don’t mean less clothing, but less detail, design and detail. A simple, black dress with black heels and good earrings can be as hot as a blatantly sultry top. Don’t be afraid to keep it simple!

5. Know the Brands: There are a few good lines out there that can dress your sassy side and it’s good to be acquainted with them. Rachel Pally usually has good cropped pants as an alternative to jeans (I like the new cropped genie style), you can usually find pretty dresses and tops from Diane Von Furstenberg and Alvin Valley or Theory are often favorites for pants. By having a good sense of what’s out there for date night dressing, it’ll be easier to find the pieces for your look.

4. Invest in Shoes: I’ve got a closet full of flats, flip flops and rugged boots and believe me, this is an enormous disadvantage when it’s time to go out. Be sure to have a few good heels, strappy sandals and a basic leather knee boot in your footwear collection for those nights on the town.

3. Use Your Head: Hair is a secret weapon to looking hot and your make up can speak volumes to your outfit. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or heavily applied - even just a little tousle to your locks and a bit of lip gloss can suffice.

2. Assume Nothing: We women automatically think guys like the style you see in a beer commercial. I can bet they do, but so many of the men I know are as enthralled by a woman in a turtleneck or button up. Don’t automatically assume that looking hot requires tight fitting, skimpy clothes!

1. Own It: Whatever you put on, remember that the key to looking great goes beyond the clothes. By picking something that you feel good wearing, you’ll be more confident and comfortable - and that’s the sexiest thing of all!