by Blake herzog
In the fashion world, fall tends to be the season when colors get more neutral and subdued in preparation for the colder weather. Outfits get moodier and more understated.
But that tendency has been shifting in recent years and is now making one of its biggest departures yet with tomato, cherry and other fiery reds coming to the fore, echoing the most spectacular of the changing leaves we see around us.
Several top designers featured it prominently on their Fall Fashion Week runways, and it’s been filtering into stores ever since.
It’s an unmissable color that carries a multitude of associations. Some people are more comfortable wearing it than others, but there’s a way to do red that works for everyone:
Accessorize it
If you tend toward minimalism and a decidedly neutral palette for your wardrobe then this could be a tough season to navigate, but do consider trying those pops of color that red is indisputably better at pulling off than anything else.
Snappy shoes or socks, a shiny purse, a jaunty scarf or a sizzling red barrette make statements that punctuate your look without overwhelming it and make you look exactly on-trend.
Yes to sweats
A basic sweatshirt looks much less basic when it’s fire-engine red, so pairing it with something as simple as jeans or as unexpected as a pleated miniskirt or your favorite lined trousers will elevate your look beyond anything you could’ve expected.
A crisp, relatively new sweatshirt can work in all but the most formal settings and will invigorate you and everyone around you in settings as casual as the grocery store or gym.
Vibrant coating
Outerwear is a great choice for those who worry a red garment or ensemble will be a little too “noisy” for most of the settings they find themselves in.
Choose a puffer or duster, vest or trench coat or any other kind of wrap in crimson, scarlet, chili red or similar powerful shade for outdoor travel and frolicking. Take it off when you’re in more intimate indoor settings.
Look for the patterns
Solid reds may be too spicy for some to handle, but in multicolored prints as traditional as plaid or florals or as cutting-edge as graphic or tribal they can be much easier to pull off, either paired with a neutral or in an all-over print on a dress or matching set.
This approach also can work for straight-up holiday outfits that you don’t want to be overwhelmed by a sea of either red or green.
Red-to-toe
The ultimate assertion of self-confidence and power, an all-red ensemble will bring all eyes toward you and let your warmth, enthusiasm and intelligence radiate throughout the room.
Silky, slick, glittery and fluttery textures will just add to the intrigue. And if you keep it monochrome you’ll steer clear of having to work through those sometimes-tricky color combinations — it’s a win all around!
