There is something about red that fashion simply cannot get enough of. Crimson, poppy, scarlet, cherry, oxblood—the shades are seemingly endless, and so is our fascination with them. What began as an easy way to inject color into an otherwise neutral wardrobe has evolved into something much bigger. At this point, I would say fashion has developed a full-blown case of scarlet fever.
Traditionally, I associated red with evening dressing. There was something inherently glamorous, perhaps even a little theatrical, about wearing it after dark. But that distinction has all but disappeared. Red has found its way into every corner of the wardrobe, from casual daytime looks to evening ensembles, and some of the most compelling ways I've seen it worn lately are decidedly understated.
Not so long ago, a red accessory was the easiest entry point: a handbag, a pair of shoes, or perhaps a flash of red socks. It was the little punctuation mark that made an outfit feel more considered. Today, however, we're embracing red as the starting point of an entire look. Take Polo Ralph Lauren's red Harrington jacket, a beautifully executed Chanel cap-toe pump, or even a luxurious red sweater casually tied around the waist. I particularly love the latter, bringing an unexpected flash of color to jeans or tailored trousers. It's a simple styling gesture that can transform an entire outfit.
And then there is the appeal of wearing red from head to toe. Who could forget the monochromatic look that came down Michael Rider's Celine runway this past season? There was an almost collective gasp. Seeing such a saturated look presented with that kind of conviction was a reminder of just how arresting the color can be. Red wasn't merely an accent; it was the entire statement.
There is a certain pleasure in committing to one color, allowing different textures, proportions, and shades to create interest. A scarlet knit paired with matching trousers, or a cherry-red anorak worn over an equally saturated ensemble, makes quite a statement. After seasons of pared-back palettes and quiet luxury, there is something refreshing about dressing with a little more conviction.
Depending on the shade, red can be romantic, provocative, sporty, polished, or even a little rebellious. Cherry has a playful quality, Scarlet carries a certain theatricality, while Oxblood offers a moodier, more understated interpretation. Perhaps that's why our infatuation with the color has lasted so long. It has been reinterpreted countless times, yet somehow manages to feel exciting all over again.
Whatever the reason, I'm not quite ready to give up on red. Whether worn as a subtle accent, an everyday staple, or embraced from head to toe, it has a way of making even the most familiar wardrobe feel exciting again. And judging by the way we're wearing it now, I don't see our scarlet fever subsiding anytime soon.
The Drapey Top
A.W.A.K.E. Mode
draped collar top
Agolde
loose wide-leg jeans
The Fall Maxi
Mango
gathered maxi dress
Déhanche
Hollyhock belt
The Wind Breaker
Loewe
jacket
Banana Republic
modern City pants
The Bring-the-Drama!
Magda Butrym
asymmetric pleated dress
Alaïa
Le Teckel bag
After seasons of quiet luxury and wardrobes edited down to the essentials, I find myself drawn to a more expressive approach to accessorizing. Somewhere along the way, restraint became synonymous with sophistication, and the absence of adornment was elevated into a marker of taste. But minimalism, for all its elegance, can become its own uniform. When everyone is wearing the same monogram pendant or oversized belt buckle, how much individuality is left?
Jewelry is most interesting when it disrupts that uniformity. I love the woman with rings on nearly every finger, a wrist stacked with cuffs and bracelets, necklaces layered at different lengths and crowded with pendants, and earrings that seem to be having a conversation of their own. There is something wonderfully assured about a look that refuses to be fully resolved. It doesn’t ask whether every piece matches, whether the proportions are balanced, or whether one more accessory might be too much. It simply embraces the pleasure of wearing what you love.
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