Why there’s nothing as hot as red right now
SOME things that can drive you mad about fashion: clothes that look good but won’t survive a 30-degree wash; clothes in the women’s section that might look cute on your teenage goddaughter.
A jumpsuit that has your name on it… until you discover it comes with a couple of cutouts just south of where your bra straps meet your shoulder.
And then there’s the inevitable Colour Of The Season. This colour might not be easy to wear, and might not particularly suit you. But then a bit of colour can reinvigorate your wardrobe and make it look up-to-the minute: that’s the maddening part.
But everything is OK when that colour is red. There’s a red to suit everyone, every season suits red, and red (unlike, say, lime green) is never really out of fashion.
I don’t think that you can go wrong with a red dress. Not anytime. Whereas pink — the colour of Barbie’s big summer — will never have the same ‘works for ever’ factor.
The remarkable thing about red is it’s bold and striking but it also has a staying power and wearability that other brights don’t.
Back in June 2022, Carrie Johnson chose a poppy-red dress from Sandro for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee thanksgiving service.
I remember it because it stood out from the crowd, the way red does. You know she’ll be wearing that dress for the next 20 years. Not so Priti Patel, two along from her in hot pink.
A red dress is for life. If you’ve got one, hang onto it.
Another thing about red: we’re used to it, so it doesn’t have the Colour Of The Season curse. You can’t date it in the same way.
It’s the classic choice for a trim or a stripe on an arm or leg. It’s the natural elevator of minimal muted clothes — and there are plenty of those around this season.
If we’re talking about revitalising your wardrobe this spring/summer, then a pop of red is a smart way to do it.
A deeper cherry-red is the one Gucci and Hermes plumped for — but it’s the hot reds, from chilli to fire engine, that hold their value year after year. Here are some of the quickest and easiest solutions:
CRIMSON CARDIS OR SCARLET SWEATERS
SLING a cardigan around the neck of a colour block dress or drape it around the shoulders of a plain shirt tucked into trousers. La Redoute has a waisted bright red style (€24, laredoute.com) and Boden does one in cotton (€90, boden.eu) or cashmere (€165).
Otherwise, Zara does a useful looking three-quarter sleeve top (€25.95, zara.com) and you can’t go wrong with a plain, strong red crew neck (€130, hush-uk.com).
Mango also does a tempting black sweater with a red and white strip down the sleeves (€45.99, shop.mango.com) which would look good, now, with a dark pencil skirt.
BOLD TROUSERS
IF YOU’RE looking for a change from jeans or pinstripes, red trousers are making a strong bid to be the new smart trousers you’ll turn to instead of those dowdy old black ones.
Zara’s pleat-front, wide-leg trousers are a good place to start (€49.95, zara.com); or Boden does a straight-leg trouser with a hint of stretch (€98 boden.eu). You could buy a blazer to match (€165), but an all-red trouser suit in spring may tip you into Virgin Airlines territory.
The trousers alone, though, will work with lots of things in your wardrobe, including denim, navy and white, camel and khaki, and, of course, red.
BAGS OF STYLE
YOU don’t need a lot of red handbag to give your outfit extra punch. Cos has a good soft bag with a strap (€290, cos.com) and Zara has a small glossy under-arm gripping bag (zara.com, €25.95) which is just big enough to give you that desired pop of colour.
THE RED SHOES
IF YOU’VE always wanted some red shoes, then now is your moment. A mid-heel court shoe (€165, boden.eu) or a slingback pump (€290, russellandbromley.co.uk) are classics that you’ll have in your wardrobe for ever.
GLAMOROUS LIPS
LIPS and nails count in the colour pop pantheon, and if you’ve forgotten the impact, try red lipstick this weekend with head-to-toe denim. It’s an instant glamoriser.