Why you should try wearing red
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to be bold – whether in what you say, do or wear. This lovers’ holiday is all about quickened heartbeats, racy romances and bold gestures. So if your winter wardrobe is looking a bit dull these days, give yourself a boost of confidence by injecting a bold shade of red into that sea of black and grey wool inside your closet.
Who knows? Perhaps perking up your style just might help to amp up your love life this time of year. But here’s the thing: Red is such a bold, look-at-me colour, that many women shy away from it. Is red really for everyone? And which colours could you wear to complement -- and not clash with -- red?
Sexy and classy
Yes, red is really for everyone, including you! “Thanks to Valentino, red has become a quintessential colour that every woman, regardless of age, can pull off well,” says Lara Ceroni, senior editor of ellecanada.com. “Its rich, vibrant hue is at once sexy, and classic. When a woman wears red, she instantly feels confident and sophisticated.”
Colour combinations
But, Ceroni warns, you should be mindful of how you wear this daring colour. “The hue spans a range of different shades, from blue-reds and orange-reds to burgundies,” she says. And when pairing red with another colour, Ceroni suggests keeping it classic with black or trying something a little unexpected.
"Black and red is an old standby but if you want to be more adventurous, pair red with lavender. Gorgeous! Or, what was once regarded as a colour clash, red and orange, together can look elegant, " Ceroni says. But watch out for colour pairings that don't look flattering on you or lack interest. "Personally, I hate red and brown together and red and navy. It’s too ‘been there, done that’ -- read: Boring!”
Choosing your best red
When you're looking for your perfect red, consider your complexion. If you have a warm skin tone, brown- or orange-based reds will probably look best on you. And if you've got a cool skin tone, try a blue- or pink-based red. Try on a range of saturations from bright poppy to deep brick red and burgundy and you'll get a better sense of what looks best on you.
Whichever shade you choose and whatever colour you choose to pair it with, wear something that's red this month and you'll chase away the February blues.
Click here to see 10 red hot items to add to your wardrobe…
Natalie Bahadur is the senior editor of styleathome.com and is a regular contributor to homemakers.com.
