Choosing the right outfit to go with a red dress can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! With some simple guidelines, you can easily create stylish and elegant looks to complement your red dress. In this article, we will provide tips on shoes, accessories, and layers that work well with red dresses for different occasions.
Consider the Occasion
The first thing to think about when styling a red dress is where you plan on wearing it. Red dresses can work for day or night, casual or dressy events. Here are some common occasions and how to style a red dress for each:
- Casual Daytime – Pair with flats or casual sandals, a denim or leather jacket, and simple jewelry for a relaxed daytime look.
- Office Wear – A blazer, kitten heels, and subtle accessories like stud earrings create a professional ensemble with a red dress.
- Cocktail Party – Heels, a clutch, statement jewelry, and a chic hairstyle elegantly style a red dress for cocktails.
- Black Tie Event – Opt for floor-length red evening gowns, strappy heels, sparkling jewelry, and an updo.
Styling your red dress for the specific event helps narrow down your options for shoes, accessories, outerwear, and hair/makeup.
Choose Complementary Shoes
The shoes you select are key for finishing off the look of your red dress. Here are some foolproof shoe options to pair with a red dress:
- Nude heels – Flesh-toned heels elongate the legs and allow the red dress to take center stage.
- Black heels or pumps – Classically elegant and works for both day and night.
- Metallic heels – Adds a touch of shine and glam that compliments a bright red dress.
- Red heels – Monochromatic can look chic, just be sure the reds match in tone.
- Neutral flats – For casual daytime wear, flats in beige, white, black, etc. keep the look understated.
In terms of heel height, stay lower for casual affairs and higher for formal events. Thicker chunky heels or wedges can add stability if you want height but will be on your feet all day or night.
Accessorize Thoughtfully
Jewelry, bags, and other accessories require careful consideration with red dresses. You generally want to avoid matching red entirely, unless it’s an exact color match. Here are some accessory pairings that work:
- Silver or platinum jewelry – Cool metal tones contrast nicely with the warm red.
- Nude handbag – Blends in rather than competes with the dress.
- Sparkling jewelry – A bit of glitter balances the bold red.
- Pop of color clutch – Go for a complementary color like blue or green.
- Statement necklace – Draws the eye upwards; keep other jewelry minimal.
In terms of materials, metallics, patent leather, lucite, or crystal-embellished accessories prevent clashing textures. Keeping the rest of the look minimal lets the red dress stand out.
Make it Work Appropriate
Toning down a red dress for work is easy with the right layering pieces. Consider the following office-appropriate items:
- Neutral blazer – A tailored jacket in tan, gray, black or white makes red work-friendly.
- Cardigan – Lighter knit cardigans keep the look professional but not too stuffy.
- Duster coat – Flowy fabrics like jersey or chiffon sweep over the red dress subtly.
- Collared shirt – Peeking out from under the neckline masculinizes the dress slightly.
For footwear, stay away from stilettos or flashy embellished shoes. Block heel pumps, loafers, or boots help downplay the formality. Delicate jewelry like pearls, stud earrings, and thin chains maintain polish without drawing too much attention.
Top it Off Properly
Adding a jacket, coat, or cardigan helps transition a red dress through seasons and occasions. Some flattering options include:
- White jean jacket – A crisp complement to fiery red in warmer months.
- Black leather moto jacket – Sleek and edgy finish for nighttime.
- Tan trench coat – An instant style upgrade for day.
- Sparkly bolero – Catches the light beautifully for evenings out.
- Lace kimono – Romantic layering for date nights or summer garden parties.
Choose lighter toppers for warm weather and heavier outerwear for cool temperatures. Having a few key layering pieces in versatile solids expands your red dress styling possibilities.
Day vs. Night Style
Daytime and nighttime call for styling red dresses differently. Here are tips for both:
Daytime Red Dress Styling
- Flats, loafers, or low wedges for comfortable, casual footwear.
- Minimal delicate jewelry like thin gold hoops or pendant necklaces.
- Tote bag for carrying daytime essentials.
- Light makeup focused on eyes and lips.
- Hair down or in a casual low ponytail or braid.
- cropped jeans or tank tops.
Nighttime Red Dress Styling
- Strappy heels or stilettos to dress up the look.
- Statement jewelry like chandelier earrings or a cuff bracelet.
- Sleek clutch for essentials.
- Heavy makeup with dark eyes, lush lashes, and bold lips.
- Hair in an elegant updo or half-up style.
- Fur coat or sparkly shrug.
Nailing these day-to-night styling tweaks helps transition a red dress seamlessly from a daytime affair to evening cocktails and events.
Considering Your Skin Tone
The right red dress complements your skin’s undertone. Here are flattering red dress shades for different complexions:
| Skin Tone | Red Dress Shades |
|---|---|
| Fair/Cool | Cherry red, wine red, deep burgundy red |
| Fair/Warm | Tomato red, coral red, strawberry red |
| Light | Ruby red, poppy red, orange-red |
| Medium/olive | Brick red, rust red, deeper reds |
| Darker | Oxblood red, maroon, richer reds |
Whether you have fair or dark skin, opting for a red in the same undertone family ensures it flatters.
Patterned or Solid?
Red dresses come in solids, prints, and patterns. Here are tips for styling each:
- Solid red – Allows accessories and layers to stand out. Keep other pieces minimal.
- Polka dot – Adds retro flair. Pair with red lipstick and black and white accessories.
- Floral print – Feminine and romantic. Style simply with neutral heels and jewelry.
- Graphic print – Modern and edgy vibe. Lean into with moto boots, faux leather, metals.
Let printed or patterned red dresses be the star and keep the rest of the look subdued. Solid red dresses act as a blank canvas for bolder accessories.
Conclusion
A red dress serves as a versatile foundation for countless stylish looks. Keep the occasion, shoes, accessories, layers, and skin tone in mind when styling one. Daytime calls for pared down styling while nighttime ups the glam factor. Solids and prints both work with the right complementary pieces. Approach styling your red dress strategically and you’ll always look pulled together and fabulous.