The colder weather turned tomato girl summer into tomato girl fall, but even as the seasons change, one thing remains: the red trend. The color dominated the fall-winter 2023 runways with arresting red looks from Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen, Huishan Zhang, Cecile Bahnsen, and of course, Valentino, who quite literally wrote the book on red. Kendall Jenner even closed Schiaparelli’s sprin-summer 2024 show in Paris with a dress made of red acrylic fake nails (you read that right). But Jenner isn’t the only celeb who’s fallen for red; when Heidi Klum isn’t dressed in an iconic Halloween costume, she’s stepping out in an all-red leather set, right down to the matching boots.
Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin
“In history red was always associated with wealth and power,” Lorenza Smith, an art history professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, tells Glamour. “Now sporting red is a sign of emancipation from conventions; it is a color that implies intentions. It is a way to affirm ‘Yes, I want, and I can.’”
Smith asserts that dressing in red signifies confidence and, yes, passion. “It is scientifically proven that exposure to the color red increases the heart rate,” she says. And because the color isn’t going anywhere for fall or winter, here are six stylish and unexpected ways to wear the trend in the coming months.
Monochromatic
What goes with red? More red. Step up your suit game with a matching red blazer and pants. Dress it down with a graphic tee, layer it over a white button-down for the office, or pair it with a cheeky lace bralette for a night out—the options are endless. A red suit will always feel polished, but don’t be afraid to mix shades and textures for something a little more offbeat.
Oh, and quick science refresher: Red is the color with the longest wavelength in the visible light spectrum, meaning our brains perceive the shade first. In other words: If you’re looking to stand out in a crowd or make an impression, all red is your best bet.
Cropped Flap Blazer
Sleeveless Pleated Top
Dylan Pants
Boat Neck Modal Cashmere Ultralight Top
