Red has it’s heyday during the holiday season (and Valentine’s Day!), but that doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous in this feisty color any time of year. Stand out in a crowded bar in a lust-red bodycon dress, or look sophisticated in a berry-red blouse for your in-class presentation. Red is perfect for a first date or just to spice up your look for everything from work to class to Saturday night. Below are three outfits for under $30!

Formal Party and Cocktail Attire

Dress: Forever 21, $29.80 Necklace: Forever 21, $8.80 Bangles: Forever 21, $5.80

Your Best Friend’s 21st

Blouse: Old Navy, $10.00 Skirt: Lulu’s, $19.00 Heels: Forever 21, $27.80

Sunday Brunch

Shirt: Urban Outfitters, $29.99 Blazer: Forever 21, $19.68 Leggings: Forever 21, $5.50

Like it or not, Valentine’s Day is coming in less than two weeks. Whether you’re dressing up for date night with your beau, gearing up for a night of dancing with your single ladies, or joining Ben & Jerry for a night with Blair and Serena, it’s the perfect excuse to buy something pretty. If you’re hoping to channel the color of love for your date, or the Chinese color for luck (because it is still Chinese New Year) you can don an attention-grabbing red item for the night. From an LRD to an eye-catching red pump, you’re sure to assert confidence when wearing cupid’s favorite color.

Not feeling the red?

Then how about channeling the other part (AKA my favorite part) of Valentine’s Day: chocolate! Red is not for everyone but wearing black on Single Awareness Day is cliche, making brown the perfect choice. It’s both festive and flattering, and if you find the right item it can be just as eye-catching as it’s in-your-face friend, red.

Good news, peeps: red is IN this season. What? Is that cheering I hear? I KNOW! I’m so excited too!

I love red. It’s bold, it’s classy and it’s totally sexy. And if you wear it right (which is pretty easy unless you opt for some sort of pleather body suit) you can really stick out…in a good way. There are so many different ways to work this hue into your wardrobe, whether you want to totally stand out or just spice up a neutral ensemble. And there are many different shades, meaning it can look good on everyone.

So get out there, find the shade of red that matches you and paint the town in it. For under 20 buckeroos.

Now this is a bold statement, but I love it.  You could tone it down with a soft hairstyle (i.e. bun or easy curls) and you can wear it out to sushi with your girlfriends, or to the upcoming (ahem, way upcoming) holiday party. It’s only a measly $16.99, so stock up on your holiday goods now! The bubble hem and Valentine red is too sweet to pass up.

This orangey-red is fun because it goes beautifully with the army green that’s so hot this season.  Pair this girly top with a military jacket or a pair of skinny cargos and you’ve got yourself a fashion A+.

How amazing would this look with a pair of tights and some sexy black or gold pumps? This sweetheart dress is super flattering and super sexy, especially with that exposed gold zipper down the back. It’s perfect for a night (to stick) out with your girlfriends and flaunt your saucy side. Oh, and it’s a modest $13.50. Mine.

If you’re not a fan of brights, this is the perfect way to embrace red. This light and bright top is airy, relaxed and perfect for a casual topper. The short trim is edgy and would go great with a pair of dark (or gray) skinny jeans and bold boots.  Throw on a long, gold necklace and you’ve got yourself an outfit that screams “Yeah, I look this cool without even trying.”

One of my favorite things about fall is layering, so why not keep it bold and sexy with the color red??  This dress would look great over a pair of tights and under a jacket and a scarf. Sans the ray-bans in this photo (I have no idea who thought those were a good choice), I really think this dress has a lot of potential and versatility.

Just like the photo, this comfy sweatshirt looks perfect for a gusty day with a knit hat, gold accessory and dark pants. And it would look even better with your laptop and a venti. Study away, stylish vixen!

I couldn’t do a ‘red’ post without a plaid button up.  I love this.  With a pair of jeggings, this top can be trucked anywhere: the coffee shop, the library, class, while watching Chelsea Lately at midnight, sipping hot chocolate with your cutie. The list goes on and on. In my book, plaid flannel defines a casual and cozy fall, so get your inner red-neck on (hehe, pun intended).

Since I’ve been blabbing about layering with scarves, here is my favorite red scarf of all.  The animal print pattern is totally in this season and I’m loving the lightweight, gauzy texture. It’s a perfect transformation from summer to fall.

This Sunday is February 14th, that equally loved and dreaded holiday all about looooove.  While you may be worrying about whether you have a date or not, there’s no need to worry about what you’re gonna wear. There are tons of affordable and adorable options out there for any of those V-Day plans: hot date, night out with the girls or staying in on the couch watching sappy movies and eating cartons of ice cream.

Valentine’s Day is all about red, pink, and hearts so whether you choose to vamp it up in a sexy red dress, add a burst of festive color with tights or shoes, or show your heart with accessories, you can easily incorporate the day’s theme into a cute look that isn’t over-the-top.

Here are a few of my favorite options…

If you’ve got a hot date or you’re just out lookin’ for a hot date, a red dress is key. Sure, you could go with the LBD, but that’s boring! Red just screams, “Look at me!” so take advantage! And don’t worry, both of these dresses can be worn again and again. They may even last you longer than your Valentine….

Pair either of these bold and flattering red skirts with a basic black or white tank, some black tights and a pair of hot pumps and you’re ready for the big night.

Who says you can’t get into the Valentine’s spirit at home? These pants would pair perfectly with some Oreo Truffles and a Modern Family (on Hulu) marathon.

For those of you who don’t look good in red but still wanna wear your heart on your sleeve lips on your chest, Forever’s got you covered. Layer this conversation piece over a pair of skinny jeans and top the look off with a boyfriend blazer and you’ve got a look that will start conversations all night.

These earrings are super cute in that “I look totally vintage” sort of way. Wear them to add a little hint of love to your V-day look, or rock them year round. At under $3, you really can’t go wrong.

Valentine’s Day or no Valentine’s Day, these cut-out booties would look H-O-T with a pair of jeans and a basic top.

Valentine’s Day usually includes a whole lotta red. But why not make it a little Green this year? If you’re still looking for the perfect gift idea or V-Day plan – or if your original plan upped your Carbon Footprint by, like, 10 tons – try these earth friendly ideas on for size.

Send an Earth Friendly Card: One billion cards are sent every Valentine’s Day. Lay those puppies down side by side and you could circle the earth five times! Instead of heading to your local Hallmark and taking part in the clearing of unnecessary trees, why not send a card on recycled paper? Or, better yet, a plantable card; when V-Day is long past, your special someone can just pop that card in the ground and watch your love blossom. (That was just too easy.)

Cook Dinner At Home: No need to waste precious gas by driving to a restaurant. Try something different – and far more romantic – and cook a candlelit dinner at home. Getting your produce and meat from a Farmer’s Market is a great idea as everything is locally grown, usually without those pesky pesticides. And those romantic candles will set the mood and eliminate the energy wasted by overhead lighting!

Gifts that Don’t Need Wrapping: Avoid the clichéd box of chocolates or the gifts that require tons of wasteful wrapping paper. Instead, give your love a sensual massage or set up a romantic bubble bath for two (saves on the water!). If you are really feeling green, take this holiday and donate to an environmental cause. It may not have the romantic Valentine’s Day feel, but it will make you feel good inside.

Going Green for V-Day is easy and actually quite appealing. Now if only I had someone to share it (and a bath) with…

Red is a confidence color, making you feel hot, hot, hot when you wear it.  As red is known to boost self-confidence it is the perfect color to wear to family dinner when you’re facing interrogation from your Aunts as to why you don’t have a boyfriend yet. Red is also known to attract men, so put on that sexy red dress if you’re single (or wanting to impress your beau) when you’re hitting the town.

There are many fabulous ways to wear red this year – from the sexy red dress to the bold red bag – and here are just a few of my favorite ways to rock the hottest holiday color.

I love flats. I practically wear them every day and to all occasions. I can’t even remember what I used to wear before I started slipping on those cute and comfy babies. Wait, yes I do. It was sneakers (love my Chucks), but I had to find something else after I realized that old school Nikes are not acceptable for all occasions. Like job interviews.

And now Adidas has taken my two favorite forms of footwear and morphed them into one mega shoe: the Gazelle Ballerina. Not to quote Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana or whoever she chooses to be today, but you do get the best of both worlds with these shoes. Revel in the cuteness and convenience of a flat and the stylishness and comfort of a sneaker with its rubber outsole for added support.

So if, unlike the Spice Girls, you’ve got a little Posh and a little Sporty to ya, these shoes are your perfect match. And if you find yourself running from parties when campus security shows up, these are probably right for you too. It’s those girls in the stilettos that always get caught.

Anything mini is cute. Mini cupcakes, mini poodles, mini lip balms… The list goes on and on, and this mini skirt is no exception. This simple piece features a chiffon layer with an adorable floral print over a layer of black and an elastic waistband.

That’s it.

Lean toward the tomboyish look with a v-neck shirt and sneakers or go girly with sandals and a tank top. Either way, you’ll look incredibly fun and flirty! The skirt comes in two awesome color combinations, each with a slightly different floral print. But each also incredibly perfect.

This delightful skirt is an absolute must-have for those beautiful, warm days. Easy and light, delicate and vibrant, you’ll surely get plenty of compliments as you strut your stuff and show off your gams. Add it to your closet today! (Both would be even better!)

Even the glamorous world of fashion has been hit hard by the recession. In a time where most people are cutting back, spending money on designer outfits just doesn’t seem reasonable. At this year’s New York Fashion Week, many designers have cut costs by hosting smaller runway shows or gallery presentations.

But more than how, designers have changed what they are showing. Their goal is to show women looks that they must have; looks that will get them reaching for their wallets. So what can you expect to be snatching up for fall? A little of this, a little of that and a whole lot of 80s…

1. Head-to-toe Black. While the future of fashion definitely looks dark, that may not be a bad thing. Sleek, modern-looking all-black ensembles have dominated the runways this week.

2. Purple and Red are breaking up the monotony by popping up occasionally, as well.

3. Leather is going to be everywhere this fall – jackets, boots, and, yes, leggings.

4. Cutouts will add sex appeal to the tougher, edgier looks you’ll be seeing.

5. Full-length, exposed zippers will also be back to make a bold statement on seemingly standard ensembles.

6. Built-Up or Padded Shoulders have been spotted quite a a few times on the runways, so get ready to raid your grandma’s closet. The big shoulder is gonna be huge (pun intended).

7. Cinched waists will be back next for fall, which is refreshing as it is the most flattering silhouette.

Other trends that will continue through fall 2009 are animal prints, volume and structure, full skirts, color blocks, and plaid. Thankfully designers have recycled some trends from ’08, allowing all of us to keep up with fashion without overhauling our wardrobes.

Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren’t waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room. Just consider me your own (free) personal Rachel Zoe.]

So this weekend is quite a weekend: Friday the 13th, Valentine’s Day and a lovely 3 day weekend, all rolled into one.

In the spirit of the equally loved and hated V-Day, I decided to do a Valentine’s version of Night Styler with a super vampy outfit that those of us in relationships can wow our honeys with, and those of us going out in hopes that cupid points his arrow at us, can wow potential suitors with.

If nothing else, at least this holiday is a reason to rock the red.

I am so totally in love with this adorable dress I found on a recently discovered website, fashionjunkee.com. Of course, red is the color du jour for this particular holiday, but if you’re just looking for a damn cute dress to wear out, you can find it in 5 other colors.

 What better way to sexify those legs you’ll be showin’ off, than with some ultra-high black pumps. You can find both of these at Tarjay for under $30.

As always, Forever 21 is the place to go for all the right accessories at the right price. A small clutch/handbag is the way to go with an outfit like this, and in the spirit of looooove day, why not go with a cute lil’ heart-shaped bag?

You can’t really do a necklace with the shape of this dress, so glam it up with a cute up-do, and some big earrings.

And since hearts, candy and flowers are all associated with this romantic holiday, bring along your own flower, in the form of a fun cocktail ring.

There’s no doubt if you rock this outfit, you’ll be feelin’ the love this Valentine’s Day.