Valentine's Day 2017 Gift Ideas
Last minute presents for your significant other.
Valentine’s Day usually means a lot of expectations, stress and last minute shopping. While the customary flowers/chocolates/candles combo will probably suffice, we’ve compiled a list of gifts ideas that will certainly go above and beyond the standard (and if you’re a little late, they’ll help you redeem yourself, too). Ranging from footwear to fashion to accessories, this guide is also mostly unisex so that you can share the gift with your s.o. or just treat yourself to some love-themed retail therapy.
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Valentine’s Day”
You can’t go wrong with an OG classic like the AJ1. This year, the timeless silhouette’s famous black and white upper is given a dose of Hyper Pink love on the heel counter and collar. Additional details such as 3M reflective materials and a circa 2010 ‘For the Love of the Game’ basketball heart logo on the heel make this an extra special pair. Take note that the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Valentine’s Day” is a GS exclusive, so make sure to get the right size. This pair retails for $120 USD.
Available here.
UNDERCOVER x Vaults by Vans OG Old Skool LX
Better than a bouquet of flowers are these UNDERCOVER x Vault by Vans OG Old Skool LX colorways. Jun Takahashi keeps the classic low-top silhouette fresh with a delicate floral pattern against a tonal Bordeaux or gray upper constructed of canvas and suede. Underneath the silhouette, the dainty flowers make another appearance through an icy bottom sole. Vault by Vans materials are also a notch higher in quality than what you get with the standard Vans models.
Available here.
PUMA Suede Heart Satin “Valentine’s Day”
Though not the most unisex of the bunch, the PUMA Suede Heart Satin “Valentine’s Day” is by far the most all-out sneaker embodiment of the holiday. Coming in hot pink, grey-violet and black, the whimsical design features a tonal suede upper that is topped with big satin bow laces that string through wide-set metal eyelets. Retailing for $80 USD, these playful sneakers will come in adult, toddler and infant sizes, releasing on February 14.
Available here.
ASICS “Strawberries & Cream” GEL-Lyte V Duo
ASICS’s brand new “Strawberries & Cream” pack is a sweet declaration of affection by way of the classic GEL-Lyte V model. The retro silhouette’s premium suede and neoprene collar construction comes in two combinations of creamy beige and strawberry ice cream pink — one for you and one for your better half. Each pair retails for $110 USD.
Available here.
Gucci “Blind For Love” Embroidered Wool Sweater
Alessandro Michele’s Gucci has been mixing romanticism with streetwear in the high fashion world for a minute. This “Blind For Love” appliqued embroidered wool sweater is knitted in Italy using the softest wool. Its striking but also timeless navy, red and white color scheme, as well as its intricate tiger embroidery, will ensure that this piece will last through the years. This luxurious sweater retails for €890 EUR (approximately $944 USD).
Available here.
Darylstudio “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus” Reversible T-shirt
Darylstudio’s “Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus” reversible T-shirt pays homage to Serge Gainsbourg’s famously steamy love song with Jane Birkin, which definitely makes this humble T-shirt an appropriately amorous gesture for Valentine’s Day. Music lovers will also appreciate the “Love Will Tear Us Apart/Love Will Tear Us Apart” T-shirt, which is inspired by Joy Division and Malcolm McLaren. Coming in a selection of pink, white and red combinations, the Darylstudio T-shirts retail for £52.00 GBP (approximately $65 USD).
Available here.
PLEASURES x Bodega “Love Will Tear Us Apart” T-shirt
Following the previous option, this “Love Will Tear Us Apart” PLEASURES x Bodega shirt is a perfectly thematic T-shirt that communicates the mixed messages and mixed feelings that might take place on this romance-filled day. This edgy pink screen-printed graphic T-shirt runs for $40 USD.
Available here.
HUF “Vday Hearts Plantlife” Crew Socks
HUF’s VDAY Plantlife crew socks show some love to a flower that isn’t necessarily the red rose. This year, HUF’s signature prints feature candy hearts and broken hearts and a little bit of tie-dye. These crew socks will keep you Valentine warm, each pair costing $14 USD.
Available here.
Bodega Satin Rose Hat
Bodega’s slinky pink satin hat with an embroidered rose is definitely better than that single rose bud you were thinking of picking up from the local corner bodega. For $38 USD on Valentine’s Day, you can’t go wrong with something that is one size, pink, satin and comes with a red rose.
Available here.
Medicom Toy 2017 Valentine BE@RBRICK
Medicom Toy’s 2017 Valentine BE@RBRICK is a step up from the usual drugstore teddy bear. This year’s romantic bear is called “Chocolat Framboise” and has a color scheme that looks like, as the name implies, a chocolate-dipped strawberry. It comes in two sizes: 70mm (approximately 2.8 inches) and 280mm (11 inches) tall.
Available here.
J.W.Anderson Bubblegum Keyring
Maybe not the most diplomatic statement of love, but it is J.W.Anderson, pink and made of premium calf leather. This playful bubblegum keyring is a 17 cm-long daily reminder for your significant other of how you feel about him/her. Coming in a variety of bright colors, these keychains are a humorous way to celebrate a holiday that is too often unnecessarily stressful.
Available here.
Goodworth “Love Me” Lighter Case
This love-themed brass lighter case is a thoughtful gift for the Valentine that isn’t too fussy about all the stereotypical pink bows and fluff that define the holiday. The detailed barrel-girl graphic design and forthright “Love Me Forever” embossment is a nice touch when you need to light a candle later that night.
Available here.
Ren Hang by TASCHEN
One for the art critic, this Ren Hang coffee book by TASCHEN is a beautiful collection of the Chinese artist’s boundary-pushing photos. TASCHEN’s 312-page hardcover book features well-known and never-before-seen photos of men, women, Beijing, and the themes of sexual freedom and culture in China.
Available here.
Curtis Kulig “Love Me” Playing Cards by Theory11
These “Love Me” playing cards feature graphics are designed by renowned NYC graffiti artist Curtis Kulig, based on his iconic street art campaign of the same name. The deck has an elegant red and gold foil box that is perfect for the holiday.
Available here.
