THE STYLISH STUFF: SEEING RED

7th September 2017

It’s that time of year where new stock is beginning to gently filter into stores – it of course goes hand in hand with the drop in temperature, subtle discolouration of leaves and endless rain clouds. London Fashion Week is on the horizon and the shops are being window dressed ready for the influx of foreign fashion folk and season hungry shoppers. I had a little mooch around central London earlier this week and was interested to see that the high street are putting their money on the ‘berry red’ trend so hot on the catwalk last February. We’re talking pillar box reds, sensual brooding reds, delicious tones of aubergine, rich burgundy, a smattering of hot pink and even brickish red tones, often all worn at the same time. It’s always good to see colour in store windows but just how does your average punter wear red? The Stylish Stuff investigates…

Oasis are telling a ‘Ruby Red City’ story for autumn, from bold red tailoring to the LBD usurper, the ‘LRD’ (little red dress). Teamed with deeper, berry tones this could win the hearts of black and navy fatigued office workers. My advice if you’re colour shy – introduce a neutral into the mix, camel, grey or simply black, all of which look great with red and help tone it down. Shop the collection here.

Warehouse have teamed up with fêted fashion writer and influencer Pandora Sykes to curate the perfect capsule wardrobe for the season, including unsurprisingly, their hero red coat, red geometric print dress and a claret coloured cold shoulder maxi dress. Cool, modern classics. Shop the collection here.

Zara boast an on trend offering of both red and berry hues and also show a myriad ways of how to wear them on their website. My favourite? Definitely a slouchy, oversized red sweater worn with a classic check skirt and camel trench. Shop the collection here.

If brighter reds clash with your skin tone, consider a brick red – great for paler complexions and a classy alternative. Jigsaw offerings include this flirty, little dress (shown below) plus richer burgundy pieces shown paired with pink. Shop the collection here.

How it appeared on the catwalk – teamed with pinks, with burgundy or red to toe…

Accessorize – a hit of red worn with everyone’s favourite staple, denim, nails the trend in one. Don’t forget subtle hints of red on your accessories also tick the box. Shop the collection here.

From the catwalk – deep red, aubergine, hot pink and red to toe with contrasting textures all work…

Keeping it simple with the red knit. Just team with the season’s favourite grey check pants. Job done. Miss Selfridge. Shop the collection here.

Mixing it up. Marks & Spencer offer up burgundy as the perfect partner to hot red. Roomy totes, contrast sleeve knits and slouchy knee high boots plus the perfect wool blend coat from Autograph. Shop the collection here.

Streamlined, high necked and softly belted, a red coat that’s just perfect for your work wardrobe, J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams. (coming soon.) Shop the collection here.

Hobbs – all grown up. A belted, shawl collar coats and dark plummy oversized knit teamed with cherry red – what’s not to love? Shop the collection here.

Pillar box red. (Image Pinterest)

Next keep it simple. The perfect weekender. Shop the collection here.

So to recap, how can you pull off red?

If you’re confident enough to wear all red, simply bring a little neutral in via accessorising. Shoes and bags in classic neutrals or dark burgundy are the perfect match.
Mix it with grey, camel and black. A hit of bright, bright red looks super slick especially with a cool, classic camel or Prince of Wales check grey.
Denim ALWAYS works. This is your weekend go to. With a slick of a red lip it’ll brighten your day.
A red coat is a great introduction to a dash of colour in your life – like a red car on the motorway, you’ll never be missed. On trend are sleek, fitted belted styles and Crombie cut single breasted styles.
A red bag, pair of shoes or shoulder grazing earrings can be the perfect way to embrace the colour.
Don’t be afraid to mix your berry hues – it’s as nature intended and looks chic.
If all else fails, the iconic red lip is the perfect go to. We love Burt’s Bees lipstick in Scarlet Soaked.

H&M putting their money on a slouchy red coat for the season. Shop the collection here.

THE red shoes of the season, a very wearable mid kitten heel with sculpted back detail, pointed toe and Prince of Wales check lining. BIG TICK. Shoes, Zara.