This piece is from MyLittleBird’s fashion archive. We’ve updated it and decided to run it again. Twice can be nice. The original version appeared in January 2018.
WEAR RED to be noticed—for a TV interview, magazine cover, any occasion that demands high visibility—and to signal strength. Remember Hillary Clinton in red Ralph Lauren at her first presidential debate, Michelle Obama in red Narciso Rodriguez in Nov. 2009 on the evening of Barack Obama’s election, and, of course, who can forget Nancy Reagan in her signature color for so many events ? Most recently in a Politico story about the new class of women in Congress, we spotted 10 out of the 27 wearing red clothing.
But it’s the convergence of Chinese Year of the Pig (Feb. 5 to Feb. 19), National Wear Red Day (Feb. 1, to raise awareness about heart disease) and Valentine’s Day that gives all of us a reason to be women in red.
You say red’s not your hue? Too bold? Perhaps then Fogal‘s opaque cherry tights or a Fornesetti candle emblazoned with crimson lips to light up and scent your home decor. Here, some ways to energize the days ahead with red and as an antidote to a series of hard-to-stomach, let alone, imagine, political events.
LEFT: If confidence were a coat, this Lauren cotton trench from Khaite would get our nod. $1,941, Farfetch. RIGHT: After a hard day’s work, slip into Natori’s silky printed Dynasty Zip Caftan ($160, neimanmarcus.com). It will step up your lounging-around style.
LEFT: Drink your morning brew in Le Creuset’s bright cerise mug to ante up the alertness. $15, Le Creuset. RIGHT: The Eyebobs Losing It readers are a little pricey ($89, Eyebobs), but oh so cute and despite the name, unlikely to disappear—at least not easily.
LEFT: Banish the blahs of any outfit with a Mini Midge Crossbody Satchel, $198, from Kate Spade spinoff label Frances Valentine. RIGHT: Designed in celebration of the lunar new year, this Year of the Pig Portia crossbody carries good fortune. $298, Kate Spade.
LEFT: Lipstick empowers; red lipstick empowers more. And we just love the classy case of Yves Saint Laurent’s satiny Rouge Pur Couture Lip Color in Le Rouge (mais oui). $38, Nordstrom. RIGHT: Isn’t Lipstick Queen’s Eden, er, tempting? The semi-sheer red-apple hue will bring out the rosy blush of your cheek. And isn’t that what we all desire? $24, Lipstick Queen.
LEFT: Fornasetti’s wax “Bacio” candle in a ceramic vessel featuring the nose and mouth of Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri. Scented with thyme and lavender. $195, Net a Porter. RIGHT: Opaque 138N Rouge tights ($39.68, Fogal) give legs a subtle shimmer. You’re allowed. Consider it sartorial relief from black.
LEFT: When both your son and your granddaughter asks if you’re buying something, you know you’ve scored. Vans’ Old Skool Sneaker in Formula One Red with suede trim got their thumbs-up. $54.95, Nordstrom. Limited sizes available. RIGHT: Steal the show, if not the Oscars’ red carpet, with Brandon Maxwell’s pre-fall 2019 Cape-Effect Crepe Gown. Va-va-voom, but discreet with subtle cutout detailing and a cape overlay for camouflaging any upper arm imperfections. As if we had any. Check Moda Operandi for availability.
—Janet Kelly
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Love red! Particularly the handbag! And although I keep buying red lipsticks, because they look great when someone else puts it on me in the store, it takes a very important occasion to actually put it on myself and wear it out of the house. But I love the idea. Wearing red February 1.
I LOVE RED! but I can’t seem to look right in red lipstick on occasion…. maybe I need some lessons in that. Will be sure to rock my red on February 1, thanks!