It doesn't matter if you've been with your partner for years or are planning to hop on some poor unsuspecting soul this evening; what you wear on St Valentine's night matters. While we may be dressing for ourselves the rest of the year, tonight we're dressing to impress.
Stylist Suzie Coen, who put together the looks on this page, points out that tonight is "an excuse to be a femme fatale" but continues quite firmly that "the sexiest thing in the world is a huge smile and somebody who's comfortable with their body, no matter what age, size and shape they are".
She would go for "sexy chic rather than sexy chick" this Valentine's night and suggests concentrating on ultra-glamorous make-up, high heels and sparkly beaded necklaces or even tiaras, if you don't want to buy a whole new outfit in your lunch break today. Make-up artist Ellie Balfe agrees and recommends glittery eyes and "pinky glossy lips" to go with the look. Her top recommendation is Stila Lip Rouge - a felt-tip-like lip stain that will continue to look glamorous even if you're lucky enough to be smooching all night.
Recruitment consultant Erin Quinn (28) and social researcher Simon Geraghty (27) are planning a romantic trip to London for their first St Valentine's day together, having met just seven months ago at a party. "I was sitting on a sink," laughs Erin. She says she would normally opt for a sexy dress with stockings and heels for a night out, pointing out that jeans and trainers just don't suit her. Simon's look in our photo shoot is quite close to his own - he usually goes for Diesel jeans and Ben Sherman shirts, which see him through from day to evening. Venetia Quick (26) isn't sure what she'll be doing for St Valentine's night but is definite it won't be a late night as she has to rise at 5 a.m. to present the breakfast show, Wakey Wakey, on Anna Livia radio. When she does go out she tends to go for "something sparkly" and avoids anything sensible.
Meanwhile, her old friend Martin Thomas (31) is a night owl who will be hard at work tonight. As a club promoter, he's running Strictly Handbag in Dublin nightclub Ri-Ra and is planning to wear a three-button suit by Dolce & Gabbana. Sartorially Martin would give a red card to cargo pants tonight: "They've no form and they look awful," he says bluntly. Louise East
Online The Irish Times wwww.ireland.com
Propose online at Valentine 2000:
www.ireland.com/events/valentine
