by When Lady Starmer chose to wear a tomato-red midi dress from high street brand ME+EM for her 10 Downing Street debut, she started a “little red dress” moment.
In fact, within hours of her appearance, the £275 style had already sold out, showing that the public clearly wanted the look for themselves.
Recent wearers of the red dress include Melania Trump, who wore a Republican-red Valentino dress to a political fundraiser in Manhattan last week and Spain’s Queen Letizia, who donned the national colors in a red Carolina Herrera dress to greet the returning European football. champions.
Even our former Prime Minister Liz Truss has bucked the trend – opting for a red dress for the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee (she was never the lightest).
Of course, it’s no surprise that the wife of the new Labor Prime Minister chose to wear red – it’s a sartorial no-brainer that shows you’ve got the job done.
But it can be a difficult color to pull off, especially since it has historically had a rather risqué reputation. In Hollywood, red dresses are often used as shorthand for the femme fatale, for example – like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the wind or Julia Roberts i A beautiful woman.
And many women are definitely nervous about wearing the color, which screams, “look at me”. But as Lady Starmer proves, there’s no reason why the LRD can’t be an elegant and wearable part of your summer outfit – if done right.
“The joy of a red dress is that it has impact but still requires a little thought beyond carefully chosen accessories,” says stylist Lucy Walker. “It’s power dressing with a feminine punch.”
“Red is such a bold colour, we can’t help but get caught up in its associations with stop signs, danger, sex and certain political allegiances before we even consider which shade suits us best,” agrees Alexandra Fullerton, stylist and founder of mo3focail.co.
“Different colors have different cultural meanings around the world but regardless of local customs, red light waves reach our retinas deeper than any other shade. Putting this together is a powerful choice, especially when used for a dress, which is more of a visual statement than it separates a skirt, top, jacket or accessory.”
Wearing red has proven to have psychological benefits on how others see you, too, as fashion psychologist Dr Dion Terrelonge explains: “We are naturally drawn to the color red because it’s easy on our eyes see it in the environment – attention-. giving birth
“When someone wears red it helps them stand out from the crowd. Someone who wears red is associated with being confident or someone who wields power – and by being associated with this, it can make us feel that way too.”
When it comes to choosing the right LRD for you, Walker suggests that fabric and cut are particularly important. “Look for fabrics that feel expensive like crepe, silk and wool,” she explains. “Stick to simple, minimal shapes that fall to at least a midi length and avoid anything revealing or clingy. Color is also important. Some will wear bright orange colors beautifully and others will look much better in blue-ish colors.”
Needless to say, there are some occasions where a red dress probably isn’t appropriate (weddings aren’t usually – especially if the bride is Indian, as she’ll be wearing red herself), but it certainly is possible. to style one for the office, for example.
Look for extra coverage, like longer sleeves and skirt lengths and high necks, as well as fit details like pockets and collars. Keep your accessories and jewelery balanced and minimal, too, so you don’t end up in casual clothes.
“Normally I’d leave it in the wardrobe for the work day, unless there’s a board meeting or an after-work event,” says Walker. “Wear your red dress as a mood lifter and when you want to make a strong impact. Team with kitten heels and carefully selected minimal modern jewellery.”
“A well-chosen red dress can work for any occasion,” agrees Fullerton. “Be prepared to be noticed more than if you choose a safe LBD or a conservative shade of blue (small C).
“That said, the right red dress is more about the silhouette and styling you’ve chosen, than the actual color. Whether you choose a chic structured shape that suits your speech delivery; styled as a drapey, boho-embroidered kaftan for a leisurely beach club lunch or a puff-sleeve cottage heart design for a stall at the village festival, red is a fun dopamine shade that embraces every social occasion.”
And while designers like Roksanda, Victoria Beckham and Emilia Wickstead make great color block choices, the high street also has a wide selection. Ro&Zo at John Lewis has an impact coral midi with playful puff sleeves and button-down detailing on the bodice, made in a bold linen blend. Meanwhile, Cos has a stunning high-neck knit version with a ruffled hem, which comes in a darker shade of burgundy.
A final tip? Avoid anything with frills – unless you want to look like the dancing lady emoji.
Try this…
Ponte jumper, £250, ME+EM
Ponte jumper, £250, ME+EM
Jacquard, £255, Rixo
Linen, £139, Algin
Reformation puff sleeve, rent from £51.23, Hurray
Organic cotton dress, £85, Nobody’s Child
