A man's guide to what to wear on Valentine's Day

Pawan and Ashish of Knights & Lords give male styling tips for (the upcoming) Valentine's Day

The first month of 2019 has gone by and we have entered the month of love with Valentine's Day just around the corner. While most gentlemen spend their time planning where to make dinner reservations, what gift to get their lady love and where to buy flowers, one thing that should not be ignored is planning what to wear. it can create a lasting and memorable impression on your lady love, thus making it a memorable day for you both. This, however, can get confusing since not only do you need to keep the theme of Valentine's in mind when you dress, you need to also be mindful of your age and personality to make the right impression and not be sartorially misunderstood. Don't worry, we are here to cut through the confusion. Just follow these simple tips to ensure what you wear is a reflection of who you are depending on the age group you belong to.
Millennials: You probably feel anything goes as long as it's Insta-worthy. You may be partly right, but you can also ensure you stand out compared to the rest of your peers and even stack up more likes and comments on your Instagram post. Firstly, go for a smart casual look by opting for charcoal grey or dark blue jeans. Complement that with a nice pale pink shirt which will ignite a thoughtful, caring and romantic feeling in your lady. Balance that off with a waistcoat in the colour of passionate love - crimson red. Leave your shirt with an open collar to exude a casual elegance but don't forget to top it off with either heart-shaped or rose-shaped cufflinks. If possible, try to find out what your lady is wearing beforehand and wear a pocket square matching the colour of her dress. Finally, complete your outfit with blue or brown leather sneakers to complement your entire outfit.
Age 35-50: How you dress has to be a reflection of how mature you are; you need to give the impression that you exercise maturity in your daily actions and decisions. Opt for a semi-formal look that is slightly understated. This can be done by opting for dark blue or black cotton chinos. Complement that with a blue checkered blazer; blue is a colour that ignites a sense of trust in your lady while making her feel calm and relaxed. Try to get a bespoke blazer done from your tailor so that you are able to choose a blue checkered fabric with red or pink checks on it to keep it in line with the theme of V-Day. Soften the effect of the pink/red checks by going for a white shirt but wear a tie in the same colour as the checks to strike a balance. Complete your outfit with brown Oxford leather shoes and a red pocket square (the colour of love!). This entire combination will ignite a sense of trust and tenderness.
Age 50 and above: Gentlemen in this age bracket have seen and experienced much in life. Refinement in what you wear and your demeanour can still sway your lady love off her feet - regardless of if she has been acquainted with you lately and even more if she has been with you over the years! Indulge in a double-breasted two-piece or three-piece suit in midnight blue along with a white shirt and black leather shoes; team it up with a burgundy scarf. This would set a formal mood but still have your effortless playful personality showcased. To add to the charm, you may match the burgundy colour to your pochette and your socks, giving a sense of completeness to the entire look and keeping it in line with the theme of the evening. To take it a step further, you may secretly have a short message embroidered on the pochette and present it to her at the end of the evening. Alternatively, you may just wear a self-tied burgundy bowtie and your lady will appreciate the effort you have put in for the special evening.
Any effort to make the day monumental with your companion is minimal compared to the joy of that memory that will be cherished for years to come - so make sure you are at your sartorial best this Valentine's.
Meet the authors: Pawan and Ashish are bespoke tailors at Knights & Lords, a bespoke tailoring house in Dubai. They are inspired by the alchemy of craftsmanship and bespoke tradition aimed at re-designing the wearer's inner architecture. They have learnt the traditional craft of bespoke tailoring from Savile Row, London - considered to be the spiritual home of bespoke tailors even today. You can visit them at www.knightsandlords.ae or www.instagram.com/knightsandlords - or email them at bespoke@knightsandlords.com. If you need a style tip, Pawan and Ashish will be happy to help. Send us your queries to wknd@khaleejtimes.com, with the subject line reading 'Style tips'