For her 10 Downing Street album, Lady Starmer kickestarted a second for” the little dark dress” by choosing to use a tomato-red midi-dress from high street label ME+EM.
However, within days of her look, had now sold out, showing that the public obviously wanted to get the search for themselves.
Queen Letizia of Spain, who nodded in a dark Carolina Herrera clothing to welcome the returning European soccer champions, is one of the new red-dress wearers. Melania Trump, who attended a political fundraiser in Manhattan next week, also wore a red Valentino dress.
Even our former prime minister, Liz Truss, has adopted the fashion by wearing a red dress to the Milwaukee Republican National Convention ( subtlety wasn’t always her thing ).
Naturally, it’s not surprising that the new Labour Prime Minister’s family chose to wear dark; it’s a no-brainer because it demonstrates how well you understood the task.
Yet it can be a difficult hue to draw off, especially as generally it’s had a instead risqué reputation. Red clothes are frequently used as the femme fatale’s slang in Hollywood, such as Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman or Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.
And many people are truly anxious about wearing the dye, which seems to cry, “look at me”. There is no reason why the LRD can’t be an elegant and wearable part of your summer wardrobe, as Lady Starmer shows, if done right.
“The joy of a red dress is that it’s powerful and doesn’t require much thought other than some carefully selected accessories,” says stylist Lucy Walker. “It’s power washing with a female punch”.
“Red is such a bold colour, we can’t help but be 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 my3words. inc.
Red light waves penetrate our retinas more deeply than any other color, despite the fact that different colors have different cultural meanings throughout the world. Combined this makes it a relatively strong choice, especially when used for a dress, which is a bigger aesthetic statement than separates like a skirt, best, jacket or an laptop.
According to fashion psychologist Dr. Dion Terrelonge, wearing purple has been shown to affect how others perceive you, since well. “We are inevitably drawn to the color red because it’s obvious that we are drawn to it in the environment because it’s attention-grabbing.”
When one wears dark, it makes them stand out from the crowd. Being a confident guy or someone who exudes power is associated with being a person who wears dark, which can also cause us to feel that way about ourselves.
“Walker advises that cotton and cut are of particular value when selecting the ideal LRD for you. Look for materials that feel pricey like silk, silk and wool,” she explains. “Avoid anything concealing or possessive by sticking to simple, minimum shapes that fall to a audio length at a minimum. Color is also critical. Some people will look much better in bright orange colors while others will look much better in blue-toned accents.”
It goes without saying, there are some occasions on which a red dress probably isn’t appropriate ( weddings are typically a no-no – particularly if the bride is Indian, as she’ll be wearing red herself ), but it is definitely possible to style one for the office, for example.
Look for additional coverage, such as longer sleeve lengths and substantial necks and long skirt lengths, as well as suiting information like pockets and collars. Keep your equipment and jewellery very pared again and little, too, to prevent looking like you’re in occasionwear.
“I would normally keep it in the closet for the working time, unless there’s a committee meeting or a post-work occasion,” says Walker. “Wear your red dress when you want to be powerful and when you want to make a lasting impression. Team with kitten heels and carefully selected, minimal modern jewellery.”
“A well-chosen red dress can work for any occasion,” agrees Fullerton. “Prepare to be noticed more than if you opt for a conservative ( small C ) blue shade or a safe LBD.”
“That said, the right red dress is all about the silhouette and styling you chose, over the actual colour. Whether you pick a chic-structured shape suited to delivering a speech, a drapey, boho-embroidered kaftan-style for a leisurely beach club lunch or a puff-sleeve cottage-core design to man a stall at the village fête, red is a cheerful, dopamine-inducing shade that spans every social occasion.”
And while designers like Roksanda, Victoria Beckham, and others have great block color options, the high street also has a wealth to choose from. The bodice at Ro&Zo is made of a heavy linen blend and features fun puff sleeves and button-down detail on the bodice. Meanwhile, Cos has a great high-neck knitted version with ruffled hem, which comes in a darker burgundy shade.