Your Date Guide for Valentine’s Day 2022

Dress to Impress 
Dressing formally during the summer months can be tough, as there’s every chance that a simple t-shirt, shorts and sandals combination simply won’t suffice for date night.

You can elevate your warm-weather wardrobe by adding some smart button-up shirts and lightweight breathable pants (materials like denim and corduroy will get too stuffy on summer nights). Polo shirts are officially back in vogue (thanks, Euphoria), while a neat cardigan, blazer or sharp sweater are all great options for cooler nights – let’s not forget, a blazer slung over your date’s shoulders is a timeless romantic gesture.

Sneakers are a great option as long as they’re not gratuitous (Air Force 1s, Chuck Taylors and Nike Blazers are easy wins), but loafers or a pair of dress shoes are handy for more formal occasions. 

Now, there’s obviously a few items that you should contemplate leaving at home. Hoodies are simply too casual, sweatpants are still inextricably tied to Australia’s interminable lockdowns, while men’s accessories like hats and sunglasses are acceptable as long as you’re not wearing them indoors. 

If there’s one salient point here, just make sure that your look is thought-through! In other words: make the effort.

Where To Go 
Forget dinner and a movie, it’s time to spice up your Valentine’s Day itinerary! Gigs are back, so make the most of it by booking some live music or even seeing a comedy show. Even if the standup tanks – it’ll make your own jokes look like SNL zingers!

Feeling like something a little more rowdy? Bust out your dolorous rendition of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ at your local karaoke joint, and then gaze into each other’s eyes for a duet (we recommend ‘All of the Lights’ by Kanye West and Rihanna, or Smokey Robinson’s ‘Cruisin’). There’s also plenty of hip ‘barcades’ that offer a burst of nostalgia and friendly competition.   

If a daytime date sounds more like your cup of tea, visiting a winery is always a home run (both the food and the well manicured locations are always on-point), while a simple picnic and stroll at your nearest gardens is a great way to get to know someone – bonus points for picking up produce at your local market.

If you really want to level up your dinner date, consider cooking together. A banging playlist and fresh homemade pasta will have your parents babysitting grandkids in no time. 

What Gifts To Bring 
There’s no need to break the bank when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts. For women, you can never go wrong with perfumes from Giorgio Armani Sì or Lancôme La vie est Belle, while gifting jewellery, like Swarovski hoop earrings and elegant necklaces from By Charlotte, is always a romantic option. If you’re looking for something a little more practical, designer bags by Marc Jacobs are a luxurious and thoughtful gift. 

For men, fragrances are again a perfect option for Valentine’s Day (try Ralph Lauren), while throwback Casio watches and BOSS wrist watches are timeless. R.M. Williams have a vault of supreme baggage options and belts, and a perfectly cut wallet is always necessary – Ted Baker and Calvin Klein both have some of the finest catalogues out there. 

And last (but certainly not least), bring flowers! 

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