Clothing Direct News

Valentine’s Day Through The Ages

Valentine’s Day, or at least its origins, has been a long debated topic for a while now. There is no clear-cut documentation stating that the 14th of Feb shall here forth be declared the day of love, no questions asked. Valentine’s traditions as we know them are filled with lavish dinners for two, flowers, chocolates and cute cuddly stuffed animals. But, did you know the origins of the day of love are a little darker than the light-hearted, fluffy holiday we celebrate now? Read on below for a few, blow-by-blow accounts on how Valentine’s Day has been celebrated through the ages.

Meanwhile, Back In The Roman Empire…

During the age of the Roman Empire, the time frame that Valentines Day falls on now used to be quite a different celebration indeed. From the 13th to the 15th of February, the Romans would celebrate the festival of Lupercalia. In this pagan festival, the guys would hit on the girls by quite literally hitting them. You see, this festival saw the young men of Rome strip naked and give an animal sacrifice to the Gods above. They would then take a whip and beat the young women of the village in hopes of making them more fertile. Whilst this may sound barbaric to the feminist movement of today, young woman would actually line up, hoping for their bodies to be blessed with virtue through this questionable practice. The next time you want to complain about where your date takes you for Valentine’s dinner, count your lucky stars he isn’t taking you down to the town Lupercalia fest.

The Love Struck Bard

As time passed, so the holiday became sweeter, thanks to the likes of literature from Chaucer and Shakespeare. The men romanticized love, and as such, the holiday became more PG than the Roman fertility festival. During the middle ages, Valentine’s Day gained mass popularity through Britain and most of Europe, and was celebrated by gifting your loved one with a hand made card.

Valentines Day As We Know IT

It was only in the 19th century that the holiday began to spread to the new world, with the industrial revolution issuing factory-produced card in mass. 1913 marks the first ever batch of iconic Hallmark Valentine’s Day cards being dispatched in Kansas City, and the rest is history. If you were planning on going all out for your love this Valentine’s Day, why not avoid stripping down to make an animal sacrifice and whipping her into fertility? Rumour has it that both men and woman of today appreciate simpler, less barbaric tokens of love. Ladies, why not help your gent look dapper this Valentine’s by gifting him with an amazing blazer? And gentlemen why not help your lady feel lovely with a beautiful dress? Take a look at the great range of items available for you and your other half at Clothing Direct, and give the gift that will keep on giving this Valentine’s Day!


News Years Resolutions: Creating A Professional Wardrobe In January

January is a time of new beginnings for many people. Some find new years resolutions in giving something up; others find theirs in taking on more. So with all the new beginnings in the air, why not turn your working wardrobe around in 2018? Though going back to the bump and grind of the working world isn’t necessarily a joyous occasion for all, it can be exciting if you have a brand new wardrobe to look forward to! Read on below for a few ideas on how you can spruce up your working wear in the new year and feel great whilst doing it.

Add A Pop Of Colour To Your Life

Many of us tend to stick to the safer grey scale wardrobe when it comes to work wear. But one of the easiest (and most enjoyable) ways to spruce up your look on the new year is to add a splash of colour here and there. We’re not suggesting you throw out all of your black, white and grey attire and show up to work in the new year looking like you ran through a rainbow, but why not add a colourful blouse or button up shirt to your look? Colour has an incredible power on the human psyche, and maybe a little splash of happiness is all you need in your professional appearance.

Be Daring And Change It Up Completely

If you’re looking for the ultimate kind of rejuvenation for your wardrobe, why not be daring and change it up completely? If you usually pull together a very casual look, step it up a notch and dress your look up with a blazer. You could go all out and suit up one day a week in the new year! Alternatively, if you’re used to rocking the straight up and down look day in day out, why not drab down a tad? If your profession allows, switch up your button up top for a golf neck tee every Friday. Changing your style in a daring way can really make a big difference to your working wardrobe, so why not give it a try in 2018?

Get Everything You Need For Your Wardrobe New Years Resolutions Today

Revamp your style completely in the new year with the help of Clothing Direct. We have a ton of different professional pieces for you to choose from. Be sure to get the perfect look to transform your style in 2018 today!