Some things that can drive you fashion crazy: clothes that look good but don’t hold up to a 30-degree wash; clothes in the women’s section that might look cute on your teenage goddaughter.
A jumpsuit that bears your name… until you discover it comes with a pair of cuts just south of where the bra straps meet the shoulder.
And then there’s the inevitable color of the season. This color may not be easy to wear and may not suit you particularly well. But a little color can revitalize your wardrobe and give it a modern look – that’s the infuriating part.
But everything is fine when that color is red. There is a red for every taste, each season adapts to red and red (unlike, for example, lime green) never goes out of style.
I don’t think you can go wrong with a red dress. Not at any time. While pink, Barbie’s big summer color, will never have the same “works forever” factor.
Olivia Palermo combines a fine knitted red sweater with a long pleated skirt in cream, red and beige
The notable thing about red is that it’s bold and eye-catching, but it also has a staying power and wearability that other bright colors don’t have.
In June 2022, Carrie Johnson chose a poppy red Sandro dress for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving service.
I remember it because it stood out from the crowd, like red does. You know she’ll be wearing that dress for the next 20 years. Not so Priti Patel, two behind her dressed in hot pink.
A red dress is for life. If you have one, hold on to it.
Another thing about red: we are used to it, which is why it doesn’t have the curse of the color of the season. You can’t date it the same way.
It’s the classic choice for a trim or stripe on an arm or leg. It’s the natural elevator to minimalist, understated clothing, and there are plenty of them this season.
If we’re talking about revitalizing your wardrobe this spring/summer, then a pop of red is a smart way to do it.
A deeper cherry red is what Gucci and Hermes opted for, but it’s the deep reds, from chili to fire truck, that hold their value year after year. These are some of the quickest and easiest solutions:
Kendall Jenner looks elegant in an asymmetrical red sweater paired with leather pants and heels.
Crimson Cardis or Scarlet Sweaters
Drape a cardigan around the neck of a color-blocked dress or drape it around the shoulders of a plain shirt tucked into pants. La Redoute has a bright red waisted style (£24, laredoute.co.uk) and Boden makes one in cotton (£65, boden.co.uk) or cashmere (£120).
Otherwise, Zara offers a useful-looking three-quarter sleeve top (£25.99, zara.com) and you can’t go wrong with a plain, deep red crew neck (£99, hush-uk.com).
Mango also makes a tempting black jumper with a red and white stripe down the sleeves (£45.99, shop.mango.com) that would look good, now, with a dark pencil skirt.
bold pants
If you’re looking for a change from jeans or pinstripes, red pants are making a strong bid to be the new stylish pants you’ll turn to instead of those old, frumpy black pants.
Zara’s wide-leg, pleated-front trousers are a good starting point (£49.99, zara.com); or Boden makes a straight-leg trouser with a touch of stretch (£80, boden.co.uk). You could buy a matching jacket (£69.99), but an all-red trouser suit in spring can take you into Virgin Airlines territory.
However, the pants alone will work with many things in your wardrobe, including denim, navy and white, camel and khaki, and, of course, red.
style bags
You don’t need a lot of red bags to give your outfit an extra touch. Cos has a nice soft strap bag (£135, cos.com) and Zara has a bright little underarm handle bag (zara.com, £25.99) that’s just big enough to give you that desired pop of colour.
Queen Letizia of Spain draws attention to the red accents of her houndstooth tweed skirt by wearing a red cardigan on the top half.
The Red Shoes
If you have always wanted red shoes, now is your time. A mid-heeled pump (£60, boden.co.uk) or a slingback pump (£245, russellandbromley.co.uk) are classics you’ll have in your wardrobe forever.
glamorous lips
Lips and nails count in the pantheon of pop colors, and if you’ve forgotten the impact, try red lipstick this weekend with head-to-toe denim. It’s instant glamour.