On red alert: introducing a pop of colour to your winter wardrobe

When I think of red, the colour screams of department stores scrambling to distract window shoppers with their big red bows to entice them inside. Red is a passionate and colourful statement: it is not a trend but something timeless. No wonder red is the uniform of icons: Santa Claus and Wally from Where’s Wally to name a few.

I understand that taming a larger-than-life colour into a wardrobe essential can be daunting. So, as we bring this year to a close, here are a few of my top picks to add a splash of red to your winter rotation to get in the festive spirit. Knock knock, Santa Claus is calling, and he wants his suit back.

If you’re looking for functionality over anything else, accessories to wrap up warm are a win in my books. If you desire outer layer accessories, I recommend the Souffle scarf from Uniqlo, a basic scarf from Pull & Bear or a hood replacement to keep you warm and cosy. The plush material makes this garment less intimidating as it feels as soft as the clouds and is easy on the eye.

My first obsession with red lipstick came from the signature shade of Marilyn Monroe

If you’re craving more than a pop of red, you can go from head to toe by styling your shoes. It seems all Pinterest board curators are raving about pointy shoes, as it does the colour red justice. The iconic Ganni ballerina flats in the colour ‘racing red’ and the Miu Miu slingback heels, for instance, fit right under this category. If you’re feeling the Wicked revival (thank you Jon Chua), you can find your own ruby slippers also. You may find there is more creative freedom with footwear to tailor to your personal style, ranging from bows to buckles for details.

I think it would be an incredible disservice to the colour red if I didn’t have any recommendations for cosmetics too. My first obsession with red lipstick came from the signature shade of Marilyn Monroe, with many recommending the Bésame Cosmetics line for ‘Mary’s Red’. Other beauty retailer favourites include NYX’s Butter Gloss in the shade ‘Apple Crisp’ for that forbidden apple stain, or the unapologetically loud and proud Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in the shade ‘Uncensored’. For those who would like to keep their lips bare, you could rock a fresh manicure with Essie’s un-bottled ‘bordeaux’ or OPI’s sly  ‘Got the Blues for Red’ colour.

It is important to consider colour theory to get that signature red to suit your skin tone

Burgundy, however, is a different story. The contrarian may suggest that this shade is a pinch too purple, but it has been predicted to be the cool, mature older sister of the frequently adorned classic red. According to trend predictions for London Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2025, the Pantone colour ‘Windsor wine’ seems to create a fashion-friendly way to wear the colour. Penny Goldstone, writing for Marie Clarie, noted it was ‘impossible to ignore’ the colour burgundy during Fashion Month and stated: “Many, many designers put their spin on it, and the result was nothing short of breathtaking – but more importantly, wearable.” This colour has been repackaged in different aesthetics such as the ‘Cherry Cola’ movement or ‘Black Honey’ taking musings from the Clinique Almost Lipstick.

With all this said, it is important to consider colour theory to get that signature red to suit your skin tone. It would be unfair of me to compare apples to pears; one person may enjoy a warmer, blood-orange core to another who may refer a berry-kissed red. Unfortunately, that is beyond this article, and it would be best to try on anything in person. No matter what type of red you’re fiending for, I hope you can find a colour to embrace and wear it proudly!