On Valentine’s Day, the streets of Manhattan were a charming sight: So many people were wearing reds and pinks that conjured the spirit of a day known for romantic dates and fancy dinners. But few that I saw looked more eclectic than Fée Brandt, a 24-year-old author and illustrator of children’s books.

Ms. Brandt lit up when I asked about her outfit as she was walking her dog Nala in Midtown. She cited clowns as among her style influences, and explained that her ensemble was built around the hat she was wearing — a knit conical style with red hearts and pompoms.

“I’m a big collector of hats,” Ms. Brandt said, noting that she owned about two dozen and often used them as the inspiration for her outfits. Her festive headgear was paired with a flouncy red top and a white dirndl that she said had belonged to her German grandmother.

On a day for celebrating romance, Ms. Brandt said playfully, there are two main criteria for getting dressed: “You’ve got to wear things that are red and hot!”