Anger, love, courage, war, life: our connotations with the color red are linked to every aspect of our world and the full spectrum of human emotions. As far back as ancient Egypt, red clothing has been a symbol of political and social standing.
In more recent history, designer red dresses have been present at every major popular culture moment of the last few decades, from Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, iconically dashing down the Daru stairs of the Louvre in a red custom Givenchy gown to Julia Roberts’ makeover moment in Pretty Woman. When Ariana DuBose made history at 2022's Academy Awards as the first queer woman of color and only the second Latina actor to win the award, she did so in a blaze of brilliant red Valentino haute couture, the confident, attention-commanding color crystalizing the milestone in our collective memory.
Red is said to speed up our heart rates and stimulate our senses, imbuing our looks with newfound energy. After years of uncertainty and a wardrobe full of neutral-toned loungewear, it makes sense that FW22 collections embraced the color in its boldest iterations, reflecting our renewed verve for life after a period that felt - in fashion senses at least - stagnant. And while dressing confidently has always been a key focus in fashion, it’s become even more tantamount to taking on the day when life’s uncertainties feel ever closer. It’s the color du jour and, while it’s easy to decree that everyone should have at least one red piece in their closet, knowing where to start and how to style such a striking color is easier said than done.
Eliminating any effort on your part, we’ve pieced together this red style guide, offering six perfect ways to invest in the trend.
Saturated with the color, our Luxe Flared Wide-Leg Pant, which is topped with a high-rise waistband and falls to a dramatic silhouette, is a key player.
A color that is as attention-grabbing and confident as red can set you in the right frame of mind for whatever your day holds. And if clothing is your sartorial armor, then our Italian Wool Military Jacket aptly pulls everything together, with its trim in the same shade of red, deliberately chosen for outfit-building ease.
To keep the statement pair of red pants in your rotation throughout the year, lose the jacket and hero a relaxed shirt left open over a cotton vest to add a lightness to the bright color and create a multidimensional layered look. Our Longline Autumn Stripe Shirt introduces a soft airy fabric accompanied by subtle pinstripes, lending your ensemble an extra dimension.
Choose knitwear in a fiery shade of red as the hero piece to instantly brighten your favorite pairings.
Our Merino Cashmere Chevron Vest + Snood in racing red is shaped to a sleeveless silhouette that effortlessly slots in alongside our balloon-sleeve layering tops and classic cotton shirting. Detach the snood to switch to a classic crewneck, allowing a shirt’s collar to peek out over the top and act as a neutral buffer between the bright color and your skin, softening any harsh lines and guaranteeing a universally flattering finish. Adding mileage to your investment, when the snood is attached, it adds a bold pop of color to your coat of choice when the weather calls for bundled-up layers and extra warmth.
Red dresses are the simplest way to introduce red to your closet, a one-step solution that comes in everything from mini to maxi silhouettes, long sleeves to short.
Subtly breaking up the deep red colorway, one of our bespoke prints defines the Intricate Floral Print Maxi Dress, topped with shirring over the chest and signed off with sporty ribbed cuffs. This harmonious blend of opposites ensures the style complements leather brogues, Chelsea boots and your go-to low-top sneakers throughout the week and weekend.
For a pattern-free approach, reach for our Contrast Trim Shift Ponte Dress. Lean into its sporty connotations by styling with low-top sneakers or add a polished finish with a tailored blazer, knee-high socks, and leather loafers.
For a masculine-meets-feminine contrast, pair classically tailored women’s pants with your pick of red tops inflected with feminine detailing.
Pair our Luxe Slim Crop Pants with our Smock Detail Swing Blouse for this covetable contrast. Doubling as a full-length on petites, the pant champions a neat cut that falls to a crop at your ankles, while the blouse favors a soft silhouette, ruffle-trimmed high neckline, and frill-trimmed cuffs. Alongside shirred detailing over the chest, a zipped fastening accommodates all bust sizes and allows you to alter the neckline to suit your setting. When styled together, the pieces create a bold head-to-toe look that celebrates both neat lines and soft curves.
Introduce a sports-inspired inflection to your look with our Icon Cashmere Crop Box Hoody and Wool Baseball Cap in a darker shade of red.
Forget jogging bottoms or palazzo pants, this sports-luxe look offsets the bold color with light-wash denim and - for an added layer of warmth and elevated polish - our Boucle Crop Jacket. The piece pulls each element together while introducing a luxe touch emphasized by the line of gold-toned buttons.
In Racing Red, our Merino Cashmere Statement Rib Cuff Sweater and co-ordinating Merino Cashmere Rib Straight Skirt complement casual pieces when styled separately and create an effortless eveningwear-appropriate ensemble together. Spun from a blend of merino wool and soft cashmere to retain their shape and guarantee a supersoft hand feel, they marry the comfort of your favorite cozy staples with the cut and silhouette of a polished pencil skirt and high-neck knit.
