In past years, you may have noticed a surge of slinky lingerie ads on your Instagram or a sudden infrequence of in-bound texts from that guy you were casually seeing before you realized it was almost Valentine’s Day. This year, fashion brands are doing the hardwork for us by sending out love letters in the form of heart-shaped handbags and red-hot hues. Following yet another surge of the coronavirus pandemic, it is no surprise that the universal sign of love and comfort – the heart motif, is making its way back into fashion on all fronts. From a new take on the classic Ganni tee to candy red handbags à la Balenciaga, there are endless options for you to shop your heart out.
Brands big and small are proving that it no longer needs to be February 14th to put a little extra love into your outfits. Jewelry brands like Safsafu and Ashley Williams are swapping out classic stones and settings for more kitschy and playful designs, featuring heart-shaped gems or dangly, bedazzled bows. Naturally, influencers and celebrities have put their own spins on the trend. Miley Cyrus’ heart-printed chainmail dress by Paco Rabanne glistened as she performed under a tree ornamented with heart-shaped “Plastic Hearts” vinyls, and Jared Leto made hearts sing whilst walking the red carpet with Gucci’s more literal approach to the trend, an anatomically correct, crystal heart clutch in hand.
Consumers have been going heart-eyes over V-Day approved clothes for decades. The heart has been seen in fashion since the 1940s, reigning “in-style” each year, even in 2022. Throughout the years you can find examples of knit hearts, bejeweled hearts, hearts on t-shirts, denim, and so on. However, the once cyclical trend is now making its way to “wardrobe-staple” status. Whether you love to hate it or hate to love it, Cupid is on his way, and we may as well dress the part!
