It’s February, and while I know wearing red seems cliche around Valentine’s Day, I am not ashamed to admit that I am totally crushing on crushed velvet jewel tones, and deep red lips. What do I love most about Valentine’s Day, honestly? It’s the perfect excuse to dress up and drink wine. Whether plans include a hot date with my husband, or going to be celebrate a Galentines with my best girlfriends, I love any reason to dress up in red, a color that the rest of the year I normally shy away from.

I have to admit that I fell in love with this Akira red velvet bodycon dress a few weeks ago and after wearing it once, I knew that this was going to have to be worn again for Valentine’s Day. My husband and I traditionally make reservations for Valentine’s Day somewhere fancy, and notoriously decide instead to cancel the rezzies last minute, and stay in to drink pricey champagne and order Thai food. We have done this every year for the past five years.

As if we need Valentine’s Day as an excuse to stay in and drink bubbly over our favorite Thai delivery food, I am happy to report that this year we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in a public setting, while in Toronto for a wedding. So I am excited to wear this sexy number over dinner and cocktails with the hubs, especially with my favorite pair of velvet D’Orsay pumps from Kristin Cavallari’s line.

When it comes to fashion I am more for loose and flowy, than tight and form-fitting, but there is something about the way this dress just hangs perfectly on your body, showing a little skin thanks to the spaghetti straps, without being too tight.

I was all about channeling my inner 90s child by pairing this look with minimal makeup and a silver Lacey Ryan chain choker, a perfect complement to the silver accents on my Saint Laurent crocodile shoulder bag.

Paired with my red wine hued lip color from Glossier, I just love the rich jewel tone elements of this look. I will definitely be feeling vibrant and sexy in this get up! It is simple, yet elegant, and sure to turn some heads.

Shop our favorite jewel toned velvet looks below: