15 VALENTINE’S DAY PIECES TO SHOP NOW
Valentine’s Day
Valentine is around the corner, and of course many of us are in full Valentine’s day mode. dressed in my best red or pink attire and diving into a heart-shaped box of chocolates. While the holiday stirs up a mix of feelings for some, there’s no denying the joy of breaking out the rosy hues as a welcome escape from the dreary winter months.
I still remember the excitement of showing up to school with a decorated shoebox, ready to collect a classroom’s worth of Valentine’s cards. Fast forward to my 30s, and that innocent tradition has blossomed into a full-fledged celebration of love, with me arriving at the office every year in some variation of Cupid-approved colors. With February 14th just around the corner, I’m tempted to treat myself to a few new pieces for the occasion. But, true to my minimalist wardrobe, I’m on the hunt for items that I can wear beyond Valentine’s Day.
Luckily, after a quick online search, it seems I’m in good company. There’s no shortage of chic, love-inspired pieces that are perfect for February 14th—and versatile enough to wear throughout the year. From playful heart-shaped accessories to flirtatious, coquette-inspired clothing, there’s plenty to indulge in without overcommitting to the season.
Here are 15 Valentine’s Day-inspired pieces to shop right now.
But do you know story behind Valentines?
Valentine’s Day traces its roots back to both ancient Rome and early Christian traditions, making it a holiday with layers of history.
Before Valentine’s Day as we know it, ancient Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a fertility festival held in mid-February. The festival honored Lupa, the she-wolf who, according to Roman legend, nursed the twin brothers Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome). The celebration also had a romantic aspect, as young men and women were paired up through a kind of lottery. People would write their names on slips of paper, and bachelors would draw a name to find a “match” for the year—sometimes even leading to marriage.
Lupercalia was known for its revelry, feasting, and, let’s just say, ahem “wild” traditions, which were in sharp contrast to the more sedate and pious Christian holidays that began emerging.
Saint Valentine: The Christian Legend
The holiday really begins to take shape in the 3rd century with the story of Saint Valentine—but there’s more than one saint to choose from!
Valentine of Rome is the most commonly cited figure. Legend says he was a priest who secretly performed marriages for young couples during a time when Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men. Claudius believed single men made better soldiers, so he thought banning marriage would help build his army. Valentine, however, defied the emperor and continued to marry couples in secret.
When Valentine was caught, he was arrested and sentenced to death. While imprisoned, he supposedly healed the jailer’s blind daughter, and some stories suggest they developed a friendship, with Valentine leaving her a note before his execution that read, “From your Valentine.” This is where the idea of sending love notes or “valentines” originated, symbolizing love and affection.
Though the exact details are murky, Valentine’s martyrdom (he was executed on February 14th, around 269 AD) was seen as a symbol of defiance in the name of love and compassion. His name became synonymous with love and romance.
The Rise of the Holiday in Medieval Europe
Valentine’s Day as a romantic holiday started to take off in the Middle Ages, especially in England and France. The 14th century was a time when courtly love (a highly stylized form of romantic affection) became a central part of noble society. People started to associate the day with lovers and the exchange of affection. Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous poet, helped cement this connection with his work Parliament of Foules (1382), where he links the celebration of love to the feast of St. Valentine:
“For this was on St. Valentine’s day, When every bird cometh there to choose his mate.”
This helped stir the imagination of the time, linking the day to the pairing of couples.
How do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day?
