A Touch of Red

Image from The Sartorialist


Judging from the 100+ people who "liked" this photo in Google Reader, I wasn't the only one smitten with this Sartorialist snapshot from several weeks ago. But my admiration was also tinged with a hint of a "Great minds think alike!" mentality; for the last month I've been injecting little touches of red here and there in my outfits too. A dash of crimson goes a long way in tying together an outfit, giving neutrals a much-needed bit of colour, or adding some sophistication to a look.

Timex Modern Grande watch ($75), Joe Fresh nail polish in 'Cherry' ($4), NARS velvet matte lip pencil in 'Cruella' ($30), Kate Spade 'Randi' rain boots, Liz Claiborne apple brooch, Spa Ritual nail polish in 'Kiss the Cook' ($16 at BeautyMark), Sephora Rouge Cream lipstick in 'Hot Tango' ($16), Forever 21 glossy skinny belt ($3.80)


Luckily for those of us on a budget, adding a touch of red to an outfit is affordable and achievable. Shoes with a scarlet flourish are a good start. You could also pin a sparkly brooch on a dark coat, swap your everyday watch for one with a red strap, or thread a skinny patent leather belt through your belt loops. Of course, for the most versatility, you can always opt for a red lipstick or nail polish.

The collage above encapsulates my favourite ways to add the colour into my everyday looks. What are yours? Would you try this look?

UPDATE [November 28,2011]: Well, that was a bust. After less than a year--a very blissful year--with my Kate Spade rain boots, I was less than happy to find that the rubber was cracking at the ankle. Talk about shoddy quality! The search is on for a replacement pair.

9 comments

  1. A touch of red IS such a great way to add interest to an outfit. Especially soemthing classic like all black or black and white. I usually do this with red lips or red polish. Still really need a great pair of red shoes. That pic from The Sartorialist is awesome!

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  2. Love that look! I have a pair of red JCrew flats that I just adore because I almost always wear black, so I can at least get a pop of color from my shoes-especially in winter where I'll pair black dresses with....black tights. You need something bright in your outfit!

    I wish I could still wear them...they don't fit my orthotics so they've been collecting dust in my closet :( I'm waiting for an F&F sale at one of the big department stores in the US to splurge on a pair of Ferragamo varinas instead.

    BTW I really love the Kate Spade boots you bought-just a nice amount of red accent on them :)

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  3. I like this! Red is one of my favorite colors, and I love the pop of color a red pair of shoes can give to any outfit. Of course, I still have to experiment with red lipstick... I have a near-unused tube of it in my makeup bag.

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  4. I think red is a pretty colour too but it can be such an attention grabber and I don't always like that. But lately I've fallen in love with the look of red nail polish so I think I'll start small and go with that first. :) Eventually maybe I'll be confident enough to rock red shoes, haha.

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  5. I always love adding a red element into my outfits, especially red lipstick. I think it makes such an elegant & bold statement! Great post Lisa :) And I'm STILL coveting those rain boots!

    Xo Chelle
    discoveringelegance.com

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  6. I totally agree! Most recently I've been using red lipstick, but I also like wearing a bold red skirt or shoes. I like how you included your Kate Spade rainboots... I saw them on sale at Piperlime but they were all sold out in sizes :( What a great buy! Between those and your Badgley Mischka leopard purse, I am pretty darn envious of your shopping finds!

    Hope you're having a great week!
    Jen

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  7. I never check the Sartorialist. I guess I'm missing out!

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  8. I love red, full on dresses as well as touches of red. Red lipstick is def. my favorite. But shoes are def. the best pop of red, I have a pair of winklepickers in red, that I'm obsessed with.

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  9. Lisa, I would totally work an inspired outfit from this! I've got cute red shoes from Anthropologie, and a cloche hat to boot!

    Red doesn't have to be in lipstick or in polish - I really like your red watch - perfect accent!

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