Say hello to the punchy-pigment that should be washing over your April wardrobe: racy, racy red. The energetic hue comes with some weighty-poignancy both psychologically and historically. The first recorded pigment outside of black and white to be used in history? Check. Cognitively esteemed to evoke desire, danger and determination? Check. A shade that sparked a thousand love-songs (Red House – Jimi Hendrix; Red Rover – Fleetwood Mac; Under the Red Sky – Bob Dylan… add to playlist – thank us later) check, check, check.
The credentials are all there, but navigating this audacious colour without looking like one of Her Majesty’s Beefeaters is not the easiest of feats. Fear not. We’ve broken down the trend and formulated a few ruby-red rules to get you vibing on this fiery-flex, stat.
Rule One: Just because it’s bold, doesn’t mean it can’t be a wardrobe staple. While you may think that a classic, clever investment-piece should come in an unassailable, and frankly, dull, shade of beige, navy or camel, throwing the rule-book out onto the fiery-red embers will open up styling opportunities no-end.
A crimson-hued cashmere knit, or patent pair of vermillion brogues both possess the potential to become timeless staples if you get the silhouette and shade right. Stone Age hunters were smearing their bodies with red clay some 40,000 years ago, so trust us when we say the colour has staying power.
Rule Two: It is entirely possible to apply this standout-shade to a tailored two-piece without looking like Joaquin Pheonix’s Joker. Doubling down on red can be the ultimate power-move, provided you stick to a single shade.
Invest in a ready-made set, (Esquire recommendations, below) as opposed to trying to cobble a motley-mix together yourself, and stick to a crisp white shirt or tee for the base of your fit to keep it cultivated as opposed to clownish.
Rule three: You can still bring the heat by introducing some saturation in small doses. A ruby-stone ring or garnet-hued tie can act as the cautious baby-steps into red-carpet dressing your low-key look needs.
Seek out pieces that shun garish-prints or heavy textures and dip your tentative-toe into the Red Sea.
Rule Four: There are no rules*. No risk, no re(d)ward, so get out there and paint the town red by donning April’s front-running shade. Strawberry fields forever, baby.
*Esquire still advocates you take the advice of rules one through three into at least moderate account, though. Obviously.
Alexander McQueen at Farfetch, Lace Up Sneakers, AED2,660
AMI Paris, Ami de Coeur Embroidery Shirt, AED955
Balenciaga at Ounass, Nylon Belt Pack, AED1,770
Bottega Veneta, Chelsea Boot, AED4,150
Dr Martens, Vegan 3989 Brogue Shoes, AED585
Gucci, Cable Knit Jumper, AED3,000
Hermès, Faconnee H Bicolore Tie, AED716
Red Robson at Mr Porter, Round-Frame Sunglasses, AED1,432
Saint Laurent, Suede Denim Jacket, AED13,400
Sies Marjan at Farfetch, Twill Blazer, AED6,637
Sies Marjan at Farfetch, Twill Tailored Trousers, AED3,830
The Great Frog London, 9ct Gold Smallest Evil Skull Ring with Ruby Eyes, POA
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