Red in Mens Fashion

Color Guide "Red" - Stylish Ways to Add Bold Color to Your Wardrobe

Incorporating bold colors into an ensemble is something that most fashion-forward men take extreme care in doing, as the chances that one might stand out for the wrong reasons are rather high. This is especially true of the color red, which is amongst the most bold colors that one could choose to accessorize with. Just because red should be approached with caution, however, doesn’t mean that it can’t be very attractive when worn correctly. Red is indicative of passion and love, and is the perfect color to incorporate into a “first date” ensemble. It also tends to exude confidence in an individual, and can be quite effective when worn as an accent color to important business meetings. The following are just a few tips to keep in mind when accessorizing with red, all of which can make incorporating the color into your look just a little bit easier than it might be otherwise.

Avoid Large Red Solids
The most common way to make red work as part of an outfit is to accessorize with it in small doses. Large, solid red items (such as red shirts or pants) are exceptionally difficult to pull off, as they tend to look smothering and almost always shift the balance of an outfit in the wrong direction. This is especially true of bright reds, which are far more attention-getting their subdued colors like cherry, burgundy, and mahogany. While it may be tempting to try to wear that bright red turtleneck that’s been sitting in your closet for the past few years, you can rest assured that you’ll be turning heads for the wrong reasons unless you get lucky enough to develop an outfit that creates a sense of balance. If you must wear large, solid reds, add contrast by pairing them with neutral patterns, which will help to downplay the red item’s effect. A good example is a cherry-red V-neck sweater paired with dark jeans, and a gray window-pane checkered sports coat.

Embrace the Tie
If red is suitable for any item of clothing, it’s the tie. Red ties are essential for those who find themselves in meetings on a regular basis, as they connote professionalism, confidence and power. There are a variety of ways to make red ties work for you, and the best option is typically a result of personal preference. Solid red ties, for example, look great when paired with blue suits and crisp, white dress shirts. That said, you can look just as good in a striped or otherwise patterned tie that is predominantly red in color, so long as the suit doesn’t feature the same pattern. While bright/pastel reds can look great in the spring, you’ll be better off choosing earthier reds for the winter; crimson ties are cold-weather favorites that rarely disappoint. When wearing red ties in business, consider the shade's brightness. Bright red ties, aka "power ties", are great if you want to grab people's attention, but they can also be perceived as bold and flashy. A little less bold/risky, yet still fashionable are ties in burgundy, cherry, maroon, and crimson. Want a bold look? Then take notice of Johnny Depp's red tie paired with a matching bright red handkerchief, a trendy solid black shirt, and bold double breasted suit with notched over-sized lapels.

Take a Risk with Red Suede Shoes
For most men, the idea of wearing red suede shoes is simply too risky. In fact, for quite some time only the Pope was allowed to wear red shoes (aka "Papal Shoes"). While it’s true that you’re bound to attract attention to yourself with red shoes on your feet, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When worn properly, red suede shoes can be exceptionally attractive, and will add some interesting style element to your look. Our tip: Look for red suede loafers or driving shoes and pair them with white fitted cotton pants or dark washed jeans, a complementing red belt, and a fitted gray V-neck shirt.

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