How to style red

What colours go with red?
Styling tips and ideas for the trend colour

Sensual, seductive, full of energy: numerous studies attest to the immense power of the colour red. The signal colour never fails to impress in its many different nuances and – luckily – is a basic colour that goes well with lots of other colour tones. The large spectrum of red ranges from radiant orange red and soft coral red to cheeky rust red and fruity raspberry red to elegant wine red.

To keep you up to date on which red tones are currently trending, we have put together the most important styling tips for red as well as some great outfit ideas for you here:

Contents:

What colours go with red?
Styling tips for red

What colours go with red?

White and black, of course, as well as muted earth tones are always appropriate. However, green is also predestined for colour interplay, as a complementary colour to red (= opposite colour in the colour wheel) it is a guarantor for high-contrast outfits.

Especially for festive occasions, dark green or crimson wrap dresses can be stylishly combined with an elegant blazer in the other colour. The look is suitable for everyday wear with trendy white sneakers and a belt bag.

Red also combines very well with grey, cream or beige. The classic black + red always looks stylish, of course, while red + red is often something for the advanced.

We are sure about one thing: everyone who loves smart colour blocking will love red! Bold red paired with bright pink can quickly become too much of a good thing. They don’t go together, you say? We are rethinking colour combinations and say: be bold with colour and play with some contrasts! A plain-coloured blouse top or white printed blouse paired with a pink trouser suit creates an awesome trend look! A radiant red adds a great accent alongside soft pink and hot pink alike. It is important to always combine a pale nuance with a dark one.

Styling tips for red

In general, both pale red tones and dark red work well no matter the occasion – they also work well together, though it always comes down to the right composition.

Monochrome Outfits:
Combining red with red

For monochrome looks, there are two options: the greatest possible contrast or exactly tone-on-tone.

For a harmonious contrast, it is best to choose shades within the colour family. A light red blouse with cherry red jeans is the basis for an absolute eye-catcher, as is an ensemble consisting of a rose-coloured jumper with bordeaux fabric trousers.

If you like it striking, go for tone-on-tone. Our favourite red for autumn is bright lipstick red, which makes a real fashion statement on grey autumn days when combined with a puffer jacket and an elegant knitted dress.

A dark red long sleeve top and a pair of checked cloth trousers are perfect for an elegant business outfit. Here, it is important that the nuances of the top work really well with those of the bottoms, so that they don’t clash. If you like to make a statement with colour of your outfit, your accessories and shoes should be more understated to compensate. Small stud earrings, a dark bag and simple ankle boots round off the outfit.

All fans of simple looks are well served by a single dark red colour tone. You can wear it in two-piece ensembles, for instance a jersey jacket with paperbag trousers. You can add the finishing touch to your outfit by picking up on the red tone in a pattern on the other piece, e.g. in the form of a floral pattern or stripes in another colour.

Styling casual outfits with red

In casual outfits, you can device freely which red piece you want to style. A bright red knitted jumper with anthracite jeans or with paisley trousers, a white T-shirt with red paperbag trousers or a red midi dress with chic ankle boots – all no problem at all!

You can make your casual outfit super trendy in the athleisure look. What do you need for this? Sporty clothes such as tracksuit bottoms and hoodies that are combined with less casual pieces such as knitted jumpers or leather trousers.

Wearing red at special occasions

Red attracts people, which is why we should definitely use this affect for special occasions. No matter if you slip into a close-fitting shift dress in radiant fire red for a chic dinner date with your man or want to stand out in a burgundy cocktail dress at other formal events such as a high school prom – a red outfit is always a glamorous eye-catcher! One exception: wearing red as a wedding guest is a no-go, because the colour draws too much attention and is also reserved for the mothers of the bride and groom.

Accessories and shoes should remain in the background and not draw too much attention. Pearl earrings, small hoop earrings and delicate strappy sandals will support your formal look without stealing the show.

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Blazer jacket made of teddy fleece

Fashionable hobo bag with a chain detail

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Fashionable hobo bag with a chain detail

How to wear red in the office?

Wearing red in the office? That’s much too bold! Not at all! However, it always comes down to which red tone you choose and what the dress code is in your workplace. Even with a bright red blazer, you can create a stylish outfit that stands out without looking out of place. Try a bright long blazer, a statement top and – depending on the dress code – a pair of dark jeans or cloth trousers. This will ensure you look elegant, but also suitably dressed for the everyday challenges you face at work!

Our tip: pant suits are really trendy right now. Our favourite is the red trouser suit, which can be styled elegantly with a black turtleneck long-sleeved shirt, a white blouse or a houndstooth blouse shirt.

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Fitted blazer with stretch for comfort

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Flowing trousers with pressed pleats

If you like to stand out, simply combine red like the celebrity lawyer Amal Clooney: a bright red sheath dress can look great as a business look – provided it is combined with understated pieces and accessories in muted colours. As such, camel, nude, pale grey or beige work particularly well with red. This will ensure you leave an impression on your business partners after a meeting or business lunch without appearing too showy.

Would you rather take it down a notch? No problem: dark red tones such as bordeaux red and rust red exude simple elegance, making them perfect for chic business outfits. You can’t go wrong in the office with trousers in bordeaux red and a white bow blouse alongside loafers and the matching handbag.

Trending: Combining red jackets

Want to make a real statement with red? Here’s our advice! The best way to make a radiant statement is by basing the outfit around a key piece in the signal colour – and what could be better than a red jacket?

Even the most basic, casual outfit with jeans and a T-shirt can make you glow if you add a radiant red cardigan. A red quilted jacket is just what we need in unpredictable spring weather, while blazers in bordeaux red never fail to impress on special occasions.

Our favourite: the red short coat with a red knitted jumper and black leather-look 7/8 trousers!

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Classic short coat with wool

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Knitted jumper with wool

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Wide-leg faux leather trousers

How to wear bordeaux red

Although fire red nuances area great contrast with grey pieces in autumn and winter, we currently can’t get enough of an elegant bordeaux red! Elegant like a velvety red wine, this dark wine red adds a touch of elegance to every outfit. Our tip: for a modern look, bordeaux red goes particularly well with slim-fit trousers and faux leather. Together with a floral blouse and a dark brown faux fur coat, you can create a trendy winter outfit to really stand out of the crowd!

As a general rule, bordeaux red goes best with muted colours. Black, beige, grey as well as white are always good choices. On the other hand, it is best to avoid colour mixes with bold tones such as orange and yellow.

To sum up: How to style red

Hopefully we have been able to answer the question of “What goes with red?” As a general rule, red is a distinctive colour accent in all its nuances. No matter whether you opt for cherry red, bordeaux red or rust red: you will look great! Choose the tone of red based on your mood: do you want to look sensual in velvet red, mysterious in wine red or blow people away with bright red? That’s entirely up to you, because red works at all kinds of occasions!

How to style red

What colours go with red?

Styling tips for red