It’s finally here~time to talk about one of the hottest color trends of the season, RED.  Usually red is reserved for fall and winter, but this spring is about rich and revved-up glamour.  Red is the perfect color to stand out and express sex appeal aplenty.  Although red undoubtedly does rule, red also has rules.  Like a fine box of chocolates, there are some ways in which you pursue the pleasure so as not to spoil it. 

For instance, you need the right complements.  When enjoying an indulgence as rich as chocolate, you simply must sip milk with it, or my favorite, Dr. Pepper.  Without something to wash it down, it can end up overpowering at best, or unpalatable at worst.  Furthermore, you must select the right kind of chocolate for your particular taste.  This may mean you need to sample several pieces before settling on the one that makes your taste buds swoon, but it’s well worth the effort.  Nothing tastes better than a perfectly picked piece of cocoa infused, serotonin-boosting confection that can enhance your mood altogether.  Much like red, chocolate is best enjoyed with some attention to detail.  Yet they both posses such power, that they are worth the pursuit of perfection in order to enjoy them to their fullest potential.

As I normally do, I would like to remind you of our Oscar ideals from which we are still receiving trend-spiration.  Here are some of the reds we admired:

                          Rule Makers:

  Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera       Heidi Klum in Roland Mouret      Amanda Seyfried in Valentino  

                           Rule Breakers:

                               Phoebe Cates in Sorelle Frienze                 Unknown designer

Rule #1. Red Heads CAN (and should) wear red!  Amy Adams takes a bold chance, and the result is on fire!  Many a law abiding citizen believes that redheads should not wear red.  Well, as Amy shows here, that is a belief nearing traitorous proportions!  As long as the makeup is neutral, and has an undertone similar to the red ensemble, (may it be blue or yellow), then red heads from strawberry blondes to deep cherry auburns, can carry it off with ease.

Rule #2. Coordinate your accessories.  Red is a hard one to pull off head to toe.  Because it is so bright and rich, you often benefit from accessorizing with another color or two so as not to overwhelm the eye.  However, if you are so brazen, do make sure that you match perfectly.  Heidi’s look is an excellent example; her heels and clutch are not only a spot-on match in color, but in material as well.  Meanwhile, Phoebe Cates’ ensemble is suffering from, among other things, a purse that is a different shade of red, as well as shiny, not a compliment to the dress at all.  Further proof that red on red action is a treacherous attempt: Mickey Rooney’s guest.  This outfit is obviously problematic, and I am not insulting your intelligence by mentioning it.  I just want you to see how badly colors and materials clash when red is involved.  I do give her a few points for matching her man’s handkerchief, though.

Rule #3. Choose the right red.  While I am a believer that a woman can wear practically any color she wants regardless of complexion, hair color, etc., I do think that some colors just look better than others from one person to the next.  Although your husband would beg to differ, as with other colors, there are many shades of red.  If you tend to wear colors like blue and purple, along with silver jewelry, you would most likely look best in a red with blue undertones, like Amy Adams’.  If you steer toward browns, orange, and gold jewelry, then you should opt for a yellow undertone, like the brick red that Amanda Seyfried is donning.  That is a very basic guideline, and you can definitely learn much more about how to choose the ‘rightest’ red at:

http://www.ehow.com/how_3249_choose-colors-flatter.html and

http://www.ehow.com/how_2240449_complexion-season.html.

Rule #4. Make sure it fits.  If you are going so far as to wear such a stand out color as red, then you are obviously in a ‘notice me’ mood.  Don’t spoil the effect by wearing a garment that is ill-fitting or even frumpy.  Phoebe’s dress is a not so pleasant reminder that fit is first and foremost.  Her dress is so big, it’s falling off of her, and would better suit someone twice her age.  This look is not doing her any favors.  She is a gorgeous woman whose beauty is smothered by the shapelessness of this dress.  On the other hand, too small can be just as unseemly.  Don’t pull the all too familiar “I’ll lose 10 pounds” bit.  Word of advice: That NEVER happens!!!  If you have to pour yourself into your prospective red piece, you will end up looking like, well, something other than a lady.

Rule #5. Go forth with confidence!  The only way to wear red is with your head held high, your smile from ear to ear, and your gait strong and even.  You know, like you own the place!  No one wearing red should feel like a wallflower.  You are a force to be reckoned with on any given day, but on a red day, you are upping the ante even more.  So do take the opportunity seriously gorgeous girl, and paint the town RED!!

Because fashion should be fun, not fundamental!

Katie