GET READY FOR A RED HOT FALL
Red was the hottest colour on the Fall 2017 runways and in NY, Milan, London and Paris, the 2018 Spring Summer fashion week pack were already running with the fiery trend, and we saw buyers, journalists and bloggers rocking red patent boots, jackets, lips and accessories in a hint things to come this Fall and Winter. The weather is pretty mild right now and we can enjoy light cottons, bare legs and pretty lemon sorbet lace dresses – but I still couldn’t resist buying an (Oh-so Fendi) coat yesterday in a vintage shop, because A) I’, obsessed with jackets and coats, B) it’s good to be prepared for city trips and C) I just adore winter fashion and its cosy layers & textures, big coats, and boots, the glamourous dresses, jewel colours… and this year we can expect all of the above in RED, as well as some powerful suiting, gothic and fairy tale heroines and a lot of leather, pleather, and patent – excellent!!
WORKING IT
Kendal Jenner working three big trends here with vinyl pants, red blazer style coat and branded Gucci hoodie; flashes of red footwear at London Fashion week; Patent ankle boots and pink socks from Emma Moldte’s instagram blog; Bella Hadid in red leather, Gucci suede and frayed denim; Sophie Turner in Louis Vuitton red dress at the SAG awards red carpet.
TEXTURE
Top to toe colour blocks in butter-soft, luxurious layers of, cashmere, chiffon and leather at Victoria Beckham; Chunky knits over feminine, grungy prints from Balenciaga; Head to toe in claret from Max Mara; Red leather, sheepskin and brocades at Fendi; Patchwork boots and fringed knits at Chanel Pre Fall. Runway photographs from IMAXTREE
WEAR THE TROUSERS
Androgyny and bold wo-mannish styling; Sporty at Marc Jacobs; Gucci jumpsuit with a military edge and tough, lace up boots; tom boy style leather from Tods; A strong textured look from Givenchy; 70’s style Lace suiting from Derek Lam; Feminine chiffon with a masculine blazer at Victoria Beckham; Ms Scarlet, Oscar De La Renta; Tailored Shakespearean velvet at Altuzarra; and show them you mean business with Jil Sander.
LADY IN RED
Fendi’s gothic girl in light as air, translucent chiffon; Bella Italiana at Prada; Bright jammy red for Molly Goddard’s tea party dress, Slick, sleek and shiny, Oscar De la Renta; Vampy garnet velvet at Prabal Gurung; And a touch of Alice in Wonderland from Chloe.
UNDER WRAPS
I’m not sure if there’s any more glamorous a coat than a red one. Instantly feel elegant, swathed in a cashmere cocoon, whether it’s a crombie style, a lady like great-coat or a Red Riding Hood cape.
Elegance from Fendi; Layers of tweedy knit from Chanel; 60’s space age, reminiscent of Paco Rabanne, over prints from Dolce and Gabbana; More 60’s influenced style at Christopher Kane with patent and shearling; I’m saying YES PLEASE! To this belted great coat, with it’s oversized belt buckle and cuff detail from Armani. Styled with a must have French Girl’s winter accessory, the beret – tres chic;
Jil Sander’s boyfriend style, double breasted Crombie coat would be equally perfect with jeans and sneakers, or over a feminine chiffon party dress. Note how it’s styled oversized here (which gives a slimming V shape from the shoulders to the waist) and as a general rule of thumb, is the way forward when coat buying.
Max Mara’s full length cape couldn’t get more Red Riding Hood if it tried!; Altuzarra’s hip length jacket with midi skirt and boots has a 1940’s feel, but with a corseted cinched waist; and finally, a Stars and Stripes combination from House of Holland.
CAN’T WAIT UNTIL WINTER?
It’s easy to get involved now and be oh so fashion forward by adding a touch of red to your wardrobe with separates or accessories like a blazer or printed PJ bottoms, block red track pants, red jewellery or footwear of any description really!
Asos Ruffle sleeved blouse; Printed PJ’s and sneakers (would look so great with an oversized and high necked red cashmere sweater for winter, a la Victoria Beckham); Louis Vuitton Supreme men’s wear; Brogued patent T Bar shoes from Chloe; jeans, bandeaux and fringed earrings, J Crew; Patent ankle boots, ribbon tied ballet pumps and patent mini skirt all from Topshop; simple red shirt from ASOS
COLOR BLOCKING
Red and white is a fresh, classic summer pairing, or you can block pinks with red and make a bright, on-trend color statement (see Miu Miu below). Here we see Valentino’s lilac ‘Rock Princess’, styled with with oxblood boots, and berry red accessories; Then easing into fall, you can match red with neutrals, like this super cool pillar box red and camel leather at Tods; and it was all about textures for winter at Miu Miu, matching 2017’s pink, with winter’s red shoes. And what better hue to make your summer yellows pop?
ACNE’s red shearling (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, just make it in red); big flamboyant earring, Alibaba; Grey tailoring with soft yellow sleeve details and red pencil skirt, Calvin Klein; Wine and cigarettes – a Kate Moss favourite? Cigarette pants from Topshop; Serena Bute London’s red velvet, baggy track pants are perfect for dressing up or down with either sneakers, slides or heels. Nailing pink tones with red, from the Mums That Slay blog; Mannish skirt and pants, baby pink feathers and a red belt at Prabal Gurung; and wide legged pants in Tomato Ketchup red.
So let’s spice up spring & summer with a touch of Hot Sauce red, then hopefully by winter, we’ll all be looking RED HOT… 😉
