Valentine’s Day is a-coming!
Ohh, love it or hate it, celebrate it or not, it won’t go away because it’s a big consumer money spin and the guilt trip is turned to full volume. We need funky clothes for over 50 today of all days.
Around about this time I feel as if I’m in a tumble drier and actively loathe the coming of the 14th, because after 32years of marriage, let’s face it, you have to be more and more inventive.
It’s hard to ignore Valentine’s Day, so my response is to book somewhere nice to go, then glam up, turn the romance on, and enjoy it.
I’m sometimes asked by readers for funky clothes for over 50 … so I thought today I’d branch out and source a few ideas for Valentine’s Day from a store that often seems to stock styles that suit our age demographic.
Table of Contents
Funky clothes for over 50 on Valentine’s Day – North or South!
Check out the Vivid International website for some fabulous red styles for both northern and southern Valentine’s days.
A cool summer layer dress perhaps, or a warm toasty red sleeveless jacket if you’re celebrating in the north. Prices are reasonable, and there’s currently a sale on.
Around the tracks, I love a bit of boho funk.
A pair of aztec pants (3), a cherry kaftan top (1), a scarf with red detail (4) all teamed with a neutral bag (2) – what a great lunch date combo.
I’ve put together some Valentine’s Day reds and cherry coloured items above from W. Lane stores , which I think would make a funky statement for a day time lunch perhaps?
I really like the floaty top with a sprinkling of bling for a special occasion. The scarf I would tie around my bag for effect (and use it to tie my hair up if the wind blew). And those Aztec pants are a far cry from the normal block colours I would choose as work wear.
Below I’ve picked out some razzle dazzle evening wear for hot Australian nights. Like them? Would you wear them on Valentine’s night?
(1) features a daring gypsy dress, teamed with a devilish black jacket (2) which you could also wear over the black maxi dress (3).
Team a black maxi dress with something sparkly like the silver clutch above (4), add some big dangly earrings and you’re set to go on a romantic night out.
Presents or not?
There have been years gone by when I’ve studiously chosen to turn a blind eye to the whole shebang and those have usually been the times when He Himself has done something extravagant and romantic and made me feel like a complete louse.
Ditto the opposite, and he’s felt like a mean toad.
Which goes to show that Valentine’s day is there to make us feel guilty whether we like it or not.
“I’m not buying you a present this year,” means – I probably shall nearer the time because I’ll feel compelled to by the hype, but because I’ve said this you probably won’t get me anything because you think I’m not buying you anything, which is fine, but still, you’ll feel like a toe-rag anyway.
“I don’t want anything,” means – I want something humungus and meaningful and don’t forget it.
Do you remember the anticipation when you were younger waiting to see if a hand written, anonymous message or gift would be delivered to your front door? The banging heart, the flush to the cheeks if the postman arrived with a white envelope and the wondering if it was really HIM who had sent it.
I do.
But sometimes I also felt a little like Bridget Jones.
Or I found out that the romantic message had come from the Wrong One – he who believed himself to be Casanova, but who in reality fell a length short of Cupid’s arrow.
Perhaps for you too, the day can also be a reminder of lost love or of missing out?
And there is always a downside to a day like this because not everyone is lucky enough to be able to count on secret admirers, boyfriends or husbands to make the day special.
Valentine’s Day can also be a time for honouring friendships and family relationships, or perhaps accepting and apoligising for hurtful words, or even just reconnecting with your inner self – think meditation and being kind to yourself for the day.
Don’t Ignore The Rules
February 14th has been the day for lovers to express their love for each other for hundreds of years. From kings and queens to presidents, poets, actors and actresses, history is filled with the stories of famous love stories and unrequited romances.
- Though shall not forget Valentine’s Day.
- Though shall let your loved one know how special he or she is (or your loved ones).
- Though shall not treat it as ‘just another day’.
Ideas for romantic gestures that don’t cost too much money
- A lovely letter or a card with beautiful words
- A massage at home
- Champagne breakfast – don’t forget some flower petals strewn around the table
- A date-night in with a home cooked special meal, and a bottle of champagne.
- Bake a cake and write “I love you” on the icing
- Make him his favourite meal and tell him you’re wearing the sexy lingerie he bought you.
- Scatter flower petals on the bed, or down the hallway, or along the garden path.
Will you be celebrating on Valentine’s Day or night and what will you wear?
Please email a photo if you’d like to be included in a Lifestyle Fifty Valentine’s Day round-up gallery. Email: jo at jocastro dot com.
Until next time,
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I love all the clothes Jo. Particularly the Aztec print pants and gold trim top. Shame I’m travelling around in a caravan and have no need for anything dressy! My hubby is taking me out somewhere nice for dinner on Valentine’s Day so that is something. We normally don’t do cards or presents however.
I guess being in a caravan does cut down the need for ‘evening dresses’ Kathy! But what fun! As you say, it would all be pretty casual … but I’m sure you’ll get to a stage when you actually want something a bit glam in that little cupboard – I know I would, and we’ve thought about the caravan and grey nomad thing for the future too – but a couple of dressing up togs I’d need for sure 🙂 Enjoy your Valentine’s meal 🙂
Cute collection, valentine day is much awaited day for youngster, elders & everyone as it express love to someone loving. My friends used to buy chocolates, some light alcohols, clothing gifts for some one special. You have given nice collection and nicely elaborated it. I like this red dress. Perfect. Find some other cute, fabulous, stunning, exclusive, glamorous dresses at http://www.lavocollections.com/collections/new-arrivals
I think it’s lovely to celebrate with small gifts like that, Ashley Rose – it doesn’t have to be uber expensive. The red dress is a winner isn’t it!
Some years my husband and I celebrate Valentine’s Day, sometimes not. When we do, it may not be on the actual day itself. I’m not sure what we will do this year, but dancing would be nice. Love the clothes in this post.
Hi Donna, oooh I love to go dancing too. Great idea. Glad you liked the clothes in this post 🙂
BTW – lovely post Jo and beautiful pics as usual!
Thank you, Ingrid!
Valentines Day is a day I usually forget and my husband always remembers and always buys flowers and sometimes chocolates, and often books a restaurant for dinner. As a child I remember my Mum saying that”s an American tradition, we don’t do Valentines Day in Australia … but by golly it’s caught on since then. Mind you another commercial flourishing enterprise for retailers, especially florists …
Thanks for your lovely comment, Ingrid. It’s always embarrassing when one remembers and the other doesn’t … Feel so guilty, hey!
Like most days and holidays, simply too over commercialized. Let’s treat each other well everyday of the year 🙂
Agree with your sentiments there, Nancie 🙂
I know you won’t be shocked to learn that Mr. Excitement does not do big presents for Valentine’s Day which is partly not his fault because I am a real pain to buy a present for. What he does do (usually) is to come up with a personally made card and some flowers. This is so hokey, but after almost 32 years of marriage, I actually feel like (almost) everyday is Valentine’s Day. When we had offspring at home, I used to try to arrange at least a night away for V’s Day — usually in our home city. (BTW, I think I would wear the oriental border dress. I have dark hair so I think I can get away with red — whether I can/want to do sleeveless is another whole story 😉
Thanks for giving us a peep into your Valentine’s Day celebrations Suzanne 🙂 Yes, I think the red oriental border print dress would suite you really well. How about a scarf or stole for the sleeveless issue?
What a great Valentine’s Day post with a very different spin. More often than not, I felt like Bridget Jones when it came to waiting for the special notes or presents. However, my hubby of 22 years has made up for all of that — has never failed to have gorgeous roses delivered on Valentine’s Day and other occasions and you know what — sometimes I’m actually still surprised when the doorbell rings.
Love it, Cathy 🙂
I love Valentine’s Day and heartily agree, it’s not just for lovers! What neat ideas for ways to celebrate~
Thanks Irene, sometimes we forget all the small ways we can celebrate, don’t we, and that it’s a great day to make other people, not just lovers feel special 🙂
Some colorful choices here/
Bold and bright for Valentine’s Day, Santa Fe!
Thanks for the lovely ideas and beautiful clothes that would look so perfect for this holiday.
My husband is hoping to “take me away from it all.” By “it” he is planning a trip down south to Arizona. The only glitch is Arizona isn’t any warmer (40 degrees) than Utah. As they say in the movies, it’s the thought that counts if the trip has to be delayed for lack of warmth.
Wow, that sounds chilly, Neva! But it’s the warmth of the idea that counts, and Arizona would be a wonderful place to visit. Keep us posted, won’t you?
Valentine’s day comes and goes – so overcommercialised – like every special day this year. My husband always buys me something – but I am so unimaginative I hardly ever buy him anything….like I said useless. Oh I yearn for that knock at the door and the special Valentine flower delivery…. I don’t know Jo, life is just far too busy – work, still a child at home to run around after, grandchildren, rushing around after work, cooking dinner, doing the ironing, work to do after you get home. Romance gets put on the back burner. Time I think to book a romantic weekend away just the two of us – perhaps that can be my Valentine’s present.
Your table with candlelight by the pool looks lovely – but of course with a pool in your backyard you are on holiday every day…right? Thanks for the suggestions and the jolt to do something for Valenines this year Jo.
I think your idea of a romantic weekend away for two is a fab idea for a Valentine’s Day present – how wonderful 🙂 I may well do a candelight dinner by the pool – yes we are very fortunate to have one, and do count our blessings and yes, we try to make the most of it.