I don’t have a favorite color per say, but shades of red and blue are hands down my favorite statement colors to wear. I’m not playing favorites here, but because Valentine’s Day is fast approaching I’m putting the spotlight on the color du jour. Classic, feminine, sexy, and powerful, red is perhaps one of the most impactful colors to have in your wardrobe. No matter the item, adding a pop of red adds an understated touch of femme fatale and instantly upgrades a look. Not to mention, bright pops of red are going to be trending this coming season, so be on the lookout for some fresh inspo during SS17 fashion month.
Red is also dependable. I wear a lot of neutrals, stripes, and denim, so if I’m wanting to jazz up my basics, incorporating a piece of red always does the job. I have a collection of classic red separates and accessories that I love, but there is a special place in my heart for red shoes. Ranging from loafers to lace up suede heels, my red shoes are practically neutrals in my closet because I will wear them with pretty much anything and everything. They color block well with animal prints, green, mustard yellow, and pink, and look classic with stripes, navy, black, tan, and grey. Because the bright punch of color is down below on your feet it isn’t quite as loud as a top or bottom might be so you can get away with more daring pairings.
It’s for this same reason that I am partial to a red lip for that understated je ne sais quoi vibe. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, so I depend on a red lip a lot if I don’t have time (or desire) to put much of a face on before going out. There are two important elements to pulling off a natural red lip look. First, don’t wear much (or any) other makeup. A good general rule of thumb in my book of beauty is to emphasize either the eyes or the lips. So in the case of the red lip, leave your eyes as bare as you’re comfortable with, and let the red flatter the shape of your lips and color of your eyes. The second part is finding the best shade of red for your skin tone. I have a very fair complexion, so anything too dark on me can get vampy real fast. I generally stick to orange tinted and berry shades of red. If you have a medium or dark complexion the orange-tinted works as well, but you can also get away with the traditional red and burgundy shades. I also sometimes layer and blend 2-3 of my favorite lippies to create my own shade, so don’t be afraid to experiment with making your own concoction.
Red statement pieces in classic styles and quality materials are worthy investment buys for the wardrobe. These aren’t pieces that get buried away in the closet, but they aren’t worn on a daily basis so they should last a long time. I bought this bag right after college and it was a bit of a splurge for me back then, but it was something I knew I would love forever so I took the plunge and years later I’m so glad I did. It’s definitely not an everyday bag, but its functional, classic, and vibrant. Because of the structural style it can elevate casuals, but also holds its own with fancier attire.
As previously stated, red can really be worn with a multitude of colors and prints, but one of my all-time favorite color combinations is red with light blue and black. Black and red is a classic pairing, but adding light blue to the mix gives it an edgier vibe which I love. I have a lot of light blue and black in my closet, so I’m able to mix and match my red pieces and wear this color combination over and over again in different ways. As with any type of outfit, a sure fire way to add more interest and depth to a look is contrasting different textures, which is why I really love the knit/leather/cotton combination here.
If you have a heart shaped hole in your closet, here are some gorgeous red pieces available now that would be excellent wardrobe additions:
