Style Scenario – Valentine’s Day: Alone at home

What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and three scenarios (going out, staying in, and staying in solo) have now been tackled. Single this Valentine’s? Want to avoid the love drunk (or just plain drunk) masses since it falls on a Saturday? Might be a good night to saddle up to the sofa and take it very easy.

The Sweater: GAP Double Stripe Shawl Collar Cardigan – $98. All cotton shawl with traditional toggles. The kind of sweater that looks great with jeans now, or, with shorts and sneakers in the summer after the sun has gone down. Always on sale.

The T-shirt: Pilot & Capt. Made in the USA Airport Tees – $24.98 – $32.00. The graphic tee is dead. Long live the graphic tee. Only if airport souveneir shops sold slimmer fitting, made in the USA, well designed tees like these. Maybe you’re proud to be from somewhere. Maybe you’re proud to BE somewhere. Or maybe, you can’t wait to go back to somewhere, and seeing its three letter airport code show up in your laundry from time to time would be a good reminder to get off your arse and make that trip happen. On sale at Huckberry. More shirts (locations) on their website. Cheap? Nope.

The Watch: Timex Intelligent Quartz Chrono – $112.79. Black & Tan done did do it again. Ion plated case. Nice leather strap. Dependable movement dressed up in a way that doesn’t look (or feel) like a cheap Timex. It’s not a cheap Timex, of course, but just over $100 isn’t half bad either. Full review over this way.

The Belt: Banana Republic Tumbled Italian Leather Belt – $35 ($49.50). Terrific looking Italian leather with a more casual roller-style buckle. Always on sale.

The Jeans: Levi’s 501s in “Galindo” – $46.99. Or, whatever older pair of dark wash jeans that you’ve got which aren’t so dark anymore.

The Boots: Clark’s Originals in Brown Suede – $65 – $80 w/ 20SPRSHOES. Deep chocolate brown suede, and the natural crepe sole has been darkened along the edge, so it’ll hide the dirt a bit more. Price will depend on your size, but if it’s sold direct by Amazon, you can knock an extra 20% off with that code, which expires today (2/11).

The Binge Watching Material: Peaky Blinders on Netflix. Thomas Shelby doesn’t need a stinkin’ date, & neither do you (although he does possess an elevated level of babe magnetism. Babenetism, if you will). A stylish & violent post WWI period drama. Seasons 1 & 2 are available on Netflix now.

The Socks: J. Crew Diamond Cross Wool Blend Socks – $9.99. A good item to use as a free-shipping balance tipper if you need one.

The Beverage: Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey – $45 – $60. For some of us, there are few greater pleasures than having a nice drink, maybe two, while relaxing in your own home. Plus, it’s tough not to have a drink (if you drink) wheile watching the Peaky Blinders plow through a bottle of whiskey once every fifteen minutes. Redbreast 12 is a nicely sweet, not overly earthy, slightly chewy (in flavor, not texture) Irish Whiskey that’s best slowly sipped.

The Unsolicited Annual Advice: If you can’t find a way to ever be happy with only your thoughts for company, then you’ll never truly be happy in a relationship. Better to be single and smart than stupidly shacked up for the sake of having companionship.