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Let’s talk about the colour red. I’m sure we’re all agreed it’s a bold statement and were any of us in need of a revenge dress, or a blouse to signify confidence and unwavering spirit (see Chancellor Rachel Reeves the day after she sobbed in the House of Commons), we might well think of red.
But if you’re talking about everyday solutions, red is not the first colour that springs to mind. Most of us have it mentally filed under ‘special occasion’, or ‘one off morale boost’.
You buy red the same way you might try a fringe after a break up. Red is not the easy option is what most of us think.
Well, we need to put away those thoughts. This summer red has edged up the charts and become the colour blocker’s go to choice (more practical than light colours; good in all weathers).
That Marks & Spencer red bubble-hem matching skirt and top was the surprise hit of the summer collection. (Surprise to us not to them: the M&S design team understand that strong colour, a striking silhouette and a ready-made outfit are very appealing to women.)
Wyse’s big hit of the season has been its Vivienne Dress in tomato red (£280, wyselondon.com) and Me+Em’s founder Clare Hornby’s pick of the summer was a Lipstick Red trouser suit (£550, meandem.com).
Meanwhile this has been a huge summer for red accessories. M&S’s scarlet ballet teacher shoes flew off the shelves (although these are an acquired taste), its red bags sold out online (don’t worry there are more coming) and after much dithering, I’ve just bought a pair of red slingback kitten heels (£29.50, in store at M&S ) to wear with a blue cotton dress and khaki trousers, for as long as the summer lasts, and with pinstripe or red trousers come the autumn.
Red is now not quite neck and neck with navy as a classic building block colour but it’s close and just as versatile.
Apart from wearing red together with more red, either matching or in tonal shades, red separates work brilliantly with cream and khaki and indigo now, and with brown, navy, grey and cream in the months to come. (Red works with black but too much and you can end up looking a bit ladybird).
I predict that, come the autumn, a full red skirt worn with a top in a different shade of red (or deep purple as on the catwalk at Prada) will be the hot buy of the season.
And, for those who don’t do skirts, a great pair of tailored scarlet trousers will be the game-changer: wear them with a dark grey roll neck, or an ivory blouse and a brown leather jacket.
Which brings me to the really important point about red. Red is the fashion insider’s secret weapon.
Among all the taupe and black and navy crowd, a red shoe, a sandal, a bag, or a vest glimpsed under a jacket is a tried and tested trick for putting flair into otherwise cool, under-the-radar clothes.
A strategic shot of red makes everyday clothes instantly look in-the-know and special.
There is no set rule, but if you want to experiment One Thing Red is a good place to start. Red trousers with a sweater and coat in navy or black.
A red crossbody bag slung over matching double denim. Stick to no more than two other colours – and if you’re wearing red shoes, that’s all the red you need.
How do you stop looking like a Virgin Atlantic employee or, for that matter, a crew member from Below Deck?
Firstly, don’t wear a skirt suit or a red polo shirt.
Secondly, make sure the red is a good lipstick rich or tomato shade (not too orange, not too muddy and dark).
And, finally, look for modern, clean shapes: wide-leg trousers not cabin crew slim pants; a sleeveless sweater not a crew neck cardigan; a gathered full skirt not a pencil skirt.
With everyday red it’s important to avoid any hint of vampiness and focus on pared down classics. A collarless silk balloon-sleeve shirt, for example (£67.50, cos.com) would look great with black trousers and flat pumps now or come September.
Boden’s wide-leg ponte trousers in hot pepper (£48, boden.com) are your entry point trousers.
And here’s the news you really want to hear – from Me+Em’s founder who has spent the summer in red: ‘This summer we introduced “Lipstick Red” as the colour of the season and I’m excited to say the palette continues to evolve into autumn with deeper shades so that you can continue building tonal looks.’
Her money is on red and it’s staying there.
