The vogue for love-heart prints is fast becoming a street-fashion favourite, and it will lift the spirits in these dreary February days.

In the mood for love, Orla Kiely leads the way, with playful riffs on the familiar symbol running throughout her spring-summer collections.

“Everyone loves hearts because they represent love, and I adore their simplicity. Often the simplest elements are the strongest,” she says. “Our tilted sweetheart print with its 3D sha- dow is my favourite.”

You can wear your heart on your sleeve courtesy of Kiely’s new dresses (

[ one in Arnott’s, DublinOpens in new window ]

, has black hearts on a pink background), but also on separates, shorts, bags and shoes. With black hearts, green hearts, pink hearts, even fallen hearts, her emblems range from tiny motifs to oversized shady abstractions on full skirts. They are fun and flirty, a contrast to her signature leaf and stem patterns, and with a more appealing edge for a younger clientele.

These heart attacks are common in fashion. Going back a few decades, the heart-shaped sunglasses used in Stanley Kubrick's Lolita set the tone of the film (and they still sell), while many will remember the craze for the Miss Selfridge love-heart T-shirts during the summers of 1996 and 1997.

When Miuccia Prada sent out white blouses emblazoned with red hearts in her spring 2000 collection, she said the inspiration came from Yves St Laurent, who used a heart mascot pendant for his first show, in 1962, to symbolise his love of women.

At home, Claddagh rings, with two clasped hands holding a heart, date back to the 1700s, and are still worn to express love.

With Valentine’s Day in the offing and pink being the season’s hottest colour trend, spread the love with a print that can be sexy or sassy – and a conversation starter.