Valentine’s Day sex appeal: 10 Style Panel outfits that are classy not trashy
Valentine’s day is just around the corner so you best be ready. Couples around the world are gearing up to put their stamp on the special day and even if you’re single, the international day of love is as good a reason as any to flaunt what your mama gave you. On February 14, every occasion can call for the perfect come-hither outfit. But contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to bare all to be sexy. The challenge lies in taking cues from bedroom dressing—lace, satin, bare skin—and applying them in small doses to your outfit of choice.
Question 89: How do you dress sexy without being overtly so? Read the answers now! »
The boudoir trend was huge hit this past season and designers offered up many ways to rock the look outside of the bedroom while not going full on Miley. Ankle skimming pink satin coats trimmed with marabou at Louis Vuitton covered up plaid slips, proving it it can be demure as well as alluring. Canadian label Beaufille lengthened the hem on a negligée in an earthy brown and paired it with dark tights and chunky metallic shoes. Marni, the ultimate in quirky dressing, styled a black bandeau top with billowing pants and matching black riding boots with a sweeping fur stole that took the look from basic to va-va-voom.
Our Style Panel embraced the challenge head on and had a few tricks up their sleeves to make an outfit alluring yet modest. Both KD Faustino of The Girl with the Messy Hair and Alex Grant from To Vogue or Bust worked a hint of lace into their outfit to take it to the next level. For those who lack in the chest region, Kayla Short from Short Presents shows how to highlight your other assets for vamped up look. It’s all about moderation.
ALEX GRANT, VANCOUVER | AMBER DESILETS, LONDON | BECKY KUNG, CALGARY | KIRA PARAN, EDMONTON | JILL LANSKY, VANCOUVER | KAYLA SHORT, HALIFAX | KD FAUSTINO, CALGARY | LEONIE MARKHORST, VANCOUVER | LYNDSEY FOREST, EDMONTON | VICKIE LALIOTIS, EDMONTON
Leonie Markhorst, 26
Vancouver, BC | The Signature Bow
To me, dressing sexy is not about showing skin or wearing a tight dress. Actually the opposite can show a lot more sex appeal – like wearing a variation of a pantsuit. It’s a powerful look, it shows that you “mean business”, and with the right details I find it a lot more sexy than the obvious skin-tight ensemble. Swap the dress pants for a pair of leather skinnies and show a little bit of lace… Voila, a seductive look while you still keep things to the imagination…
Leonie is wearing: Blazer, Isabel Marant for H&M. Faux leather pants, BDG. Heels, Shoemint
Kira Paran, 29
Edmonton, AB | Northern Style
A lot people think more skin is equal to a sexier look. But in all honesty, don’t rush out to the mall to get a brand new skimpy dress for the big day because a new tube of lipstick will do the trick. Sexy can be as simple as a bold lip colour. You may be surprised at how a $10 tube of lipstick can make you feel confident and sexy instantly.
Kira is wearing: Blazer, sweater, scarf, J.Crew. Hat, Rag and Bone. Watch, Michael Kors. Rings, Tacori & David Yurman
KD Faustino, 28
Calgary | The Girl With The Messy Hair
Think sexy yet sophisticated this Valentine’s Day. This fab find from Winners shouts sexy with all the lace cutout details on the shoulders, waist and hem. However, the puffiness of the bottom of the dress makes it look sophisticated yet still playful and fun! This is definitely not your old boring Little Black Dress.
KD is wearing: Dress, Winners. Watch, Michael Kors. Sunglasses, Dolce & Gabbana. Necklace, My Name Necklace
Alex Grant, 25
Vancouver | To Vogue or Bust
Adding a touch of lace or silk via a lingerie-inspired piece like this camisole helps me feel Valentine’s Day-apropos, while a fedora in soft sage green coupled with a menswear-esque coat keeps the look from feeling too girly. It’s all about the balance!
Alex is wearing: Hat, Brixton. Camisole, Club Monaco. Coat, H&M
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary, AB | Velvet & Vino
I’ve become quite partial to the one-piece for an evening look. The right jumpsuit can look just as fancy as a cocktail dress, having the same chic effect. By adding subtle accessories to elevate the look, the jumpsuit creates that sexy tease by drawing the curiosity of the eye to this outfit all-in-one. I definitely plan to wear this jumpsuit for my Valentine’s date!
Becky is wearing: Jumpsuit, Guess. Heels, H&M. Jacket, Danier. Clutch, Tory Burch. Watch America Eagle. Earrings, Joanna Bisley Designs
Kayla Short, 26
Edmonton, AB |
Jillian Lansky, 26
Vancouver | The August Diaries
A good tried and true rule for sexy sartorialism is to only highlight one body part: i.e. the legs with a more conservative top, or a low blouse with a slim pant. However, fashion isn’t always as cut and dry as the rules make it out to be and sometimes sex appeal can afford a little more skin. But that doesn’t mean letting it all hang out, so to speak. See the above example; the reason this works is that the dress is not remotely body conscious. It has a low neckline and is a short dress, but has tons of fabric and a long sleeve to give it some restraint. I’ve also forgone a strappy sandal in favour of a more casual and less sexy bootie.
Jillian is wearing: Dress, Cos. Boots, Aldo. Jewelry, Sovilj, Banana Republic, Dogeared, Oak + Fort, Roberto Fioravanti
Amber Desilets, 30
London, ON | Canadian Fashionista
You don’t need to show a lot of skin to look and feel sexy, it’s all in your attitude and how you present yourself. One of the biggest mistakes a lot of girls make is they wear too tight clothing, while showing too much skin all at the same time. Sometimes less is not always more, you don’t want to bare it all so a good motto to live by is, if you want to show cleavage, cover up your legs and if you want to show a little legs, cover up the top. Sexiness comes from within and you always want to leave something to the imagination, don’t try so hard, just feel good about yourself and what you’re wearing and it will reflect on the outside.
Amber is wearing: Jacket, Club Monaco. T-shirt, Smart Set. Necklace, Jewlz from Lineve. Clutch, Aldo. Bracelet, The Bay. Skirt, Smart Set. Heels, Aldo. Shoe Clip, Shoelery.
Lyndsey Forest, 23
Edmonton | Over My Styled Body
For some reason I always feel my sexiest when I’m in my comfiest. To me being sexy is all about feeling confident in your own skin, no matter what your wearing. And nothing screams sex appeal more than a classic white tee, some fitted dark denim, and a killer pair of stilettos! And if you’re anything like me and my man, this outfit will be perfect for a low key Valentine’s day full of yummy burgers and a comedy movie marathon.
Lyndsey is wearing: Jeans and Jacket, Zara. T-shirt, Aritzia. Heels, Kate & Mel. Bag, Kate Spade. Sunglasses, Ray-Ban. Belt, J.Crew
Vickie Laliotis, 28
Edmonton | Adventures in Fashion
Sometimes there’s nothing sexier than an unexpected pop of skin, which is why I’m a big fan of crop tops. This American Apparel version balances out the peek-a-boo midriff with a turtleneck — an unexpected pairing that surprisingly works. And when paired with a flirty, high-waisted skirt and a great heel, the result is decidedly sexy, yet still classy.
Vickie is wearing: Crop top, Americal Apparel. Skirt, Malorie Urbanovitch. Tights, Hue. Heels, Forever 21. Clutch, Kate Spade. Bangles, J.Crew. Ring and watch, Michael Kors
