Socially distanced dinner date, virtual Galentine’s Day get-together, movie night with Ben & Jerry – no matter how you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, renting a look you love will add a little something extra to the occasion.
Here at RTR, we love any excuse to get dressed up, so we’ve done our festive due diligence and rounded up some chic outfit ideas to help you get started. From cozy knit dresses and oversized sweaters, to faux leather jumpsuits and curve-hugging dresses, these looks are perfect for whatever you have planned.
Plus, Team RTR is spilling their best (and worst!) Valentine’s Day memories, revealing their celeb style crushes and dishing on their perfect post-pandemic date nights.
—
Sonia Evers – Senior Manager, Brand & Content
Quarantine or no quarantine, a loose outfit is a must for me on Valentine’s Day, because I like to celebrate love by indulging my tastebuds. Since I’ll be celebrating at home this year, I opted for this sweater-like house dress that’s long enough for me to sit comfortably cross-legged on the couch. I’ll wear it with some jazzy earrings to show I’ve made some effort for this romantic feast, and then I always have my house-bucket bag nearby because I hate when I forget my phone and chapstick in the other room. I added the puffer coat to this look because I love anything that doubles as a blanket.
How are you celebrating this year?
On my couch with a heaping bowl of pasta, a bottle of wine, and a movie I’ve seen 10,000 times. Oh, and my husband can come too.
Describe your perfect V-Day date post-pandemic:
Ordering too much food at one of our favorite Italian restaurants. Unbuttoning my pants at the table because I’m so full (JUST KIDDING WHO’S WEARING PANTS!?) and falling asleep on the cab ride home.
Your celeb style crush and why:
Sienna Miller because she makes Uggs look cool, which is something I aspire to.
Best V-Day memory:
It was actually a year when I was single. I took myself out for a burrito. It was true romance.
Worst V-Day memory:
In 3rd grade when my crush didn’t put a valentine in my cubby. I’m still not over it.
Rolanda Evelyn – Manager, Product Marketing & Customer Strategy
I LOVE wearing bold colors – a quick glance at my IG feed gives that away – so this voluminous skirt has to take center stage. And I paired it with timeless classic pieces to make sure it gets all the attention it deserves!
How are you celebrating this year?
My boyfriend and I are going to cook a yummy 3-course meal together at home! We’re thinking of a burrata salad as a starter and steak, oven-roasted potatoes and asparagus for the main course. For dessert – Levain chocolate chip walnut cookies and ice cream (of course)!
Describe your perfect V-day date post-pandemic:
Unpopular opinion? I actually prefer spending Valentine’s Day at home! We find going out to restaurants on the actual day to be a little underwhelming with the overpriced meals and long wait times. We are quite excited for our date night in!
Your celeb style crush and why:
I mean obviously Tracee Ellis Ross. She’s an ICON – always tasteful and classic but also not afraid to take fashion risks!
Best V-Day memory:
In high school, our acapella group sold singing telegrams. Students could buy telegrams to be delivered on Valentine’s Day. You could pick from 1 out of 5 songs and choose what class you wanted them to deliver the telegram. The group would then “deliver” them by singing an excerpt of the song live. On Valentine’s Day my senior year, I received a singing telegram “Build me up Buttercup” during an AP Spanish lit exam, and half way through my high school boyfriend asked me to prom!
Worst V-Day memory:
Good vibes only! Even before my boyfriend, my girlfriends and I would shower each other with love! I think there’s always love we have in our lives worth celebrating – romantic or not!
Blaire Walsh – Style Director
During the winter, I’m all about creating outfits that are both stylish and cozy. I’d wear this for an at-home candlelit dinner with my husband or a small Galentine’sDay celebration at a friend’s. The chic olive color and oversized fit of this sweater is perfect to enjoy company and a glass of wine. Complete the look with a few of the season’s hottest trends: faux leather, statement hoops and a little party bag!
How are you celebrating this year?
Usually, I am pretty low-key on the whole Valentine’s Day thing but being that it’s on a holiday weekend this year we (my husband and I) might sync up with a small group of friends to cook at home and have a few martinis!
Describe your perfect V-day date post-pandemic:
Some sort of spa experience like a deep tissue massage with a facial then getting dressed up to go out to a fancy dinner. I also love the idea of ordering a New York-style pizza, popping open some vino and lounging around in sweatpants.
Your celeb style crush and why:
A combination of Kate Bosworth, Elaine Welteroth, Ashley Olsen and influencer Viky Rader. In my eyes, everything they wear is just style perfection!
Best V-Day memory:
My now husband and I had only been dating for 6 months back in 2013, he showed up to my studio apartment before heading out to dinner with flowers, an edible arrangement and a teddy bear. I weirdly still have this little teddy…his name is Berry. Sweet and thoughtful effort on his end.
Worst V-Day memory:
Pre-husband, I showed up to a date (wearing RTR) and before we even sat down for dinner, he accidentally spilled a glass of red wine on my gorgeous rented Galvan dress. Spent the first 30 minutes of this date in the bathroom under the dryer with club soda. Thank goodness for RTR’s professional dry cleaning!
Joi-Louise Greenwood – CX Operations Associate
Celebrating at home doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your style! This outfit combo reminds me of Dorothy Dandridge in the movie Carmen Jones – it’s chic but still comfortable. I’d style it with a gold bag and a set of drop earrings for a cohesive look.
How are you celebrating this year?
I will be staying in for Valentine’s Day. It will be so nice to not have to stress about reservations, coats or what I will be wearing on my feet!
Describe your perfect V-Day date post-pandemic:
A cruise around the Hudson and dinner in the city. I love to look at the Manhattan skyline, listen to romantic music and be with the one I love.
Your celeb style crush and why:
The one and only Rihanna! She is gorgeous, but she can also pull off ANYTHING. She is so effortless and her confidence takes every look to another level.
Best V-Day memory:
I remember my first Valentine’s Day with my husband back when we were dating. We cooked together and I remember falling in love with his laugh and realizing that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.
Worst V-Day memory:
One year, my boyfriend completely forgot about Valentine’s, panicked and bought me a teddy bear from a pharmacy. Needless to say, I was not happy. I couldn’t even tell you where that bear is today.
Hayley Kosan – Cinematographer, Editor
I am a faux leather monster, and this jumpsuit is perfect if you want an edgy (but still sexy!) Valentine’s Day look. I’d layer this cozy white jacket over it for contrast and top the look off with some of my favorite accessories. I’ve been loving this cool chain collar necklace because it instantly elevates any outfit, and if I were a bag, I’d be this trendy croc duffle.
How are you celebrating this year?
My birthday is February 15th, so I will celebrate Valentine’s Day by eating half-priced boxed chocolate from CVS.
Describe your perfect V-Day date post-pandemic
My wife and I would probably go to dinner at Mermaid Inn then come home and roast the couples on House Hunters.
Your celeb style crush and why:
Darth Vader because he slays in leather and we share a similar body type.
Best V-Day memory:
We went to Metropolitan Opera a few years ago and it was incredible!
Worst V-day memory:
In fifth grade a boy bought me a bunch of sick Tech Decks as a Valentine’s/birthday gift, but my mom forced me to give them back to him. I was devastated.
Kim Anderson – Senior Director, Brand Marketing & Content
Sweatpants and comfort have become the true loves of my life of late, but I will elevate my everyday look in honor of Valentine’s Day – while still paying homage to pajama-inspired style! This curve-hugging dress is a favorite for two reasons: 1) it helps me to continue my lifelong quest of never wearing a bra and 2) it reminds my fiancé that I am, in fact, still snatched under my sweatsuits. To balance out the silhouette, I’ll style it under a relaxed shirtdress by one of my favorite Black brands, Wales Bonner. It will add to the overall monochrome mood I’m going for and remind me that I’ll be back on the sofa wrapped in a robe soon enough.
How are you celebrating this year?
I’m going to be honest — I don’t even know what “going out” is anymore after nearly a year tucked away in my tiny Brooklyn apartment. Like, what is “out out” let alone “out”? Regardless of that reality and the social awkwardness I’m sure to feel when attempting to order directly from a human instead of an app, I’ll force my fiancé to emerge long enough so we can grab a curbside cocktail before cooking Valentine’s dinner back at home. And by cooking, I mean ordering in.
Describe your perfect V-Day date post-pandemic:
Jason Momoa. That’s it. That’s the perfect date.
Your celeb style crush and why:
Tracee Ellis Ross, who I feel is one of those few women who continues to play and have a real sense of fun with fashion. She doesn’t take herself, or her style, too seriously, which is so refreshing in an industry where it can be all too serious. You can tell she genuinely enjoys experimenting with trends and color, and views fashion as a powerful source of expression.
Best V-Day memory:
The one when I am surprised with a dog. Eventually. I hope this serves as a big hint for my fiancé.
Worst V-Day memory:
I don’t have an answer for this one, so my fiancé answered for me with a simple “all the Valentine’s Days when we were not together.” Cringe but, like, kinda cute.