Trend Alert: Seeing Red

After lots of neutrals for the past few seasons, fashion now is all about colour – and chief among them is the most vibrant of them all: red. Ready to make ‘em see scarlet? Read on.

Yves Saint Laurent, Pre-Fall 2010

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Firey shades are back – and it’s about time. Yves Saint Laurent, Michael Kors and Valentino all showed red on their pre-fall runways, while scarlet-hued items of more humble origins have been creeping into the major retail outlets, too.

Michael Kors Pre-Fall 2010

Valentino Pre-Fall 2010

Photos courtesy of Style.com

Before you start digging through your closet for existing flamey items, remember: the new reds aren’t the bluey- or winey-shades of the 1990s – they are bright. Think lipstick, cherry, or – our fave – 1980s sportscar red. The key to working bright red clothes or accessories without looking dated? Pair your scarlet stuff with neutrals or other brights – never other reds. Too matchy-matchy and you’ll like like Nikki in Young and the Restless circa 1993.

Sparkle & Fade Silky Inset Colorblock High/Low Tank, $38, Urban Outfitters

Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Triple-Strap Mary Janes, at Melissa

Penguin’s new “Red Cover” series raises money for AIDS research

Still not your thing? Try red in smaller doses, like one of the cool new Penguin “Red Cover” books (above) or some garnet or ruby jewelry – that never goes out of style.