How to Sprinkle in Some Red This Fall
Last year, I posted a carousel of outfits to Instagram that included a picture of me wearing a red sweater vest with a black blazer and another one of me wearing a red Agnès B. snap cardigan under a dark car coat. One of my friends, a former fashion sales executive, commented, “Hint of red should be your signature,” and I thought that was actually really good advice. Like many New Yorkers, I wear a lot of dark clothing in the cooler months, and incorporating red accents — with a sock or a scarf or pants — is an easy way to liven up the look. Here are some easy ways to add a bit of color to your wardrobe
Start with socks
A flash of red peeking out from under a pant hem is always a good look. I also love the idea of red tights under a skirt.
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Add a scarf
Whether you’re all in on the triangle scarf — a.k.a. “scrap of cashmere” — trend or not, the allure of draping a tomato-colored swath of your preferred natural fiber is undeniable.
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Strategist updates coordinator Najwa Jama’s 100-percent cashmere triangle scarf.
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Another blended style, but bigger, so you can drape it over your shoulders.
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Top it off with a hat (or a head band)
A red hat could provide a nice little bit of punctuation to an outfit.
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Change up your usual beanie for a beret.
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Or try a hood-like balaclava for extra warmth and security.
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You can customize this baseball cap with a monogram or a classic Ralph Lauren logo.
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Go all in with sweaters, vests, and tees
I love the look of a red sweater in the fall, especially when paired with brown pants. Some might even say that red is a neutral. Start with a sweater vest if a full-on knit feels like too much of a commitment. (My red vest is from Dôen and is now sold out, but I found some others that have the same effect.) Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen, who recently told us about some of her favorite polo sweaters, gave us a good tip: Quince’s version of red is spot-on.
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I tried this on last month and love the high v-neck and vibrant color.
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The cashmere polo sweater in question that Geortzen loves.
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This is very similar in style to my beloved Doen vest.
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The price is right for experimenting with this poly-wool blend collared vest.
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Saint Sirène released a red version of its classic tees.
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This cotton-cashmere half-zip is quite compelling.
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J.Crew’s feather-weight turtlenecks are arguably the best pieces for cold-weather layering.
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The afore-mentioned snap cardigan I got in Paris last year.
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A satisfyingly chunky red wool sweater from Cos.
Try some pants
Complete an entire outfit with red pants, just like Strategist updates coordinator Najwa Jamal, who went on a hunt for the perfect pair.
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And finally, some red shoes to tie it all together
My high-vamp red ballet flats have been stealing the show in a couple of recent try-on stories I’ve done (for Eileen Fisher and Uniqlo). They are Mansur Gavriel’s Dream Ballerinas in “poppy” and are made of a laminated suede that has held up beautifully over the three years I’ve had them. They are currently sold out, though you can find a pair or two, depending on size, here. Below are some other solid options.
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These are also very close to mine and are on sale.
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I have a pair of these in black and they’re extremely comfortable for dress shoes.
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This suede pair from Aerosoles look very walkable.
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