Monologues: What every woman wants this Valentine's
Valentine's Day. It's overpriced and hyped-up-to-the-max. For me it's always a question of whether to bother participating in it and if I do, what's the buy-in? I'm sure you've been arguing the same questions yourself. Do you get a gift? If so, what kind of gift? Is it jewellery? That sounds like it could be a hard one to get right and what does that piece of jewellery signify too? What about a lovely dinner date? At the regular favourite, or do you need to upscale to fine dining? Or is that all too predictable on V day? How about a bunch of beautiful flowers, that should be fairly straight forward right? Hang on a second, what flowers are you meant to get? Don't different flowers mean different things? Will she know that? Valentine's can be quite the minefield for even us gents with the best intentions. The stakes are high, and the chances for disappointment for all parties concerned, are even higher.
“Valentine’s can be quite the minefield for even us gents with the best intentions. The stakes are high, and the chances for disappointment for all parties concerned, are even higher. ”
I remember when I was 16 or 17 years of age, I had been sort-of-dating-a-girl for a short period of time (classic teenage label of a relationship) which being at boarding school meant it was a lot of phone and unlimited text data bundle contact to keep the fire burning. Well, I had decided after seeing another school mate delicately handcraft a Valentine's card for his crush, that I'd follow suit. I mean what woman wouldn't be smitten with such a gesture? After making what I deemed a very thoughtful card, complete with a love heart on the front (what the f was I thinking?) I sent it off to her. I was very proud of my efforts and felt confident that this would pay-off.
It didn't go so well for me. I received a call not long after she got the card. The time on the phone was full of fun awkward silences, with the final blow hitting me like a cricket ball to the nuts that she wasn't keen to continue and then something about going back to her ex-boyfriend. I was shell shocked. I had painted her a heart for goodness sake. Well, I had learned my lesson. Don't do romance, that shit is risky.
So what is it then that us guys are meant to do? How can us guys nail Valentine's Day this time around so we're not left feeling like a wounded puppy dog? What is it that every woman wants this Valentines?
The answer is surprisingly simple.
“What every woman really wants is a stylish man.”
What every woman really wants is a stylish man. Forget the cards, expensive dinner and flash jewellery - it's actually all (nearly all - let's at least pretend for a day) about you. Every woman wants a guy who takes care in his appearance, puts a bit of thought into how he looks and presents himself to the world. A woman wants a guy she can show off and hold on her arm that isn't sporting her new season Deadly Ponies. That's why this Valentine's is the perfect occasion to surprise your gal or impress the one you'd like to make your hot sauce. There's really no better gift than wrapping yourself up in style - she won't be able to resist. You'll be the best Valentine's present ever. Guaranteed.
“There’s really no better gift than wrapping yourself up in style - she won’t be able to resist. You’ll be the best Valentine’s present ever. Guaranteed. ”
I'm wearing a Tommy Hill black wool blazer here (yes it's Summer and it was hot like a oven) matched with a pale pink tee with the aim to provide colour and help tone the outfit down notch so it's not looking formal, and then paired with my new Theory cuffed pants. Then to finish it off, some clean white leather sneakers which allow you to be casual, leaving the jacket and pants providing the smart.
Women love a guy that gives things a go, so I encourage you to pull together a good fitting jacket, a nice pair of pants or your 'good' jeans, throw on some simple (and clean) footwear and you should be heading in the right direction. Don't forget to throw in some stunning flowers too, and you might just make her the happiest girl alive.
Be what every woman wants this Valentine's - a stylish man.
jb
Jaheb wearing // Tommy Hilfiger wool blazer, Theory cuffed cotton pants, Among Equals x Cotton On pink tee, French Connection leather sneakers, Ray-Bay sunglasses. Flowers by Flower Child NZ.
Photography by the incredible Sophie Miya-Smith