By Maria Baluch

It is that time of year again when love is in the air. The city is painted red and every shop is filled with teddy bears and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we all have one thing on our mind, “What should I wear?” Shopping for a Valentine’s Day dress can be quite tricky.

You’re not certain whether you should wear a glamorous cocktail dress or something a bit more casual that doesn’t make you seem like you tried too hard. And you definitely don’t want to look like you don’t have a clue when it comes to this special day by dressing yourself in just about every hue of red or pink from head to toe.

One thing is for sure, you want to dress to impress When it comes to choosing an outfit, it’s good to know what your plans are. Whether you’re going on a romantic date with that cute guy you’ve been seeing for a while or just a night out with your best friends, there is something perfect for every occasion.

For a romantic date, you’ll want to look beautiful without making it obvious that you spent all day getting ready. If you’re going out to dinner, opt for a fitted, sleeveless, knee-length dress in dark shades such as burgundy or even black. Pair it with your favorite black pumps and a messy updo for a chic and effortless look.

If you plan on going out for lunch, pick a fit-and-flare dress with a floral print in pastel shades such as coral, mint, cream, or even any shade of red and pink because sometimes being a little cliché isn’t a bad thing. Pair it with pointy-toed nude pumps with a heel that’s not too high and tousled hair for a feminine look. He won’t be able to take his eyes off of you!

For a night out with your BFFs, don’t shy away from wearing a dress because that’s where the fun comes in. You can wear a bodycon dress with daring cutouts or mesh trim or a form-fitting 3/4 sleeve dress with stripes or other fun patterns, whereas with a date, you would have to be a little more subtle. Pair the dress with black booties for a more casual look. If you don’t want to wear a dress, pick an outfit that’s more dressed up than your usual ensemble.

A long-sleeved sheer blouse in neutral shades has a romantic and playful touch without being overtly Valentine’s Day-themed. Pair the blouse with denim or dark skinnies and a pair of closed toe wedges for a comfortable yet well put together look.

Do not forget your accessories! Every girl knows that an outfit isn’t complete without accessories. For a night out, choose stone studs or small drop earrings to keep the attention on your dress that took a lot of effort to find.

If you’re going to style your hair in an updo, then opt for chandelier earrings and pair them with little rings. For any daytime events, skip any bold accessorizing and finish your outfit with simple cuff bracelets.

For all the single ladies out there celebrating Valentine’s Day with two of the sweetest guys, Ben and Jerry of course, throw on your favorite sweatpants and get comfortable on your couch because what’s better than spending a night in with a marathon of Ryan Gosling movies.