Last Updated on September 5, 2023
Is red in style in 2023? That’s the question you might be asking yourself after seeing it on countless AW23 trend reports and runway shows. Here, I’ll be sharing more about this year’s biggest fashion colour trends and answering the all important question of whether red is among them. Thanks to the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, pink has been 2023’s biggest colour – but now a new shade is in town, ready to sweep pink off it’s pedastal.
Red dominated the AW23 Autumn Winter runways, hinting that it might be the ‘it’ colour for the second half of 2023. It featured as head-to-toe outfits at Stella McCartney, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, Balmain, D&G, Fendi, Bottega Veneta and so many more, or pops of colour with a bag or a pair of shoes at Ferragamo, Gucci, Chanel and Loewe. So while it might not be trending on the high street yet, we’re expecting to see a red explosion any day now.
Next, read more about Autumn/Winter 2023–24’s biggest fashion trends, as well as the sunglasses trends dominating right now. Now, onto our main topic…
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Is red in style in 2023?
Red is one of – if not the – biggest colour trends of AW23. As seen on the runways of Stella McCartney, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, Balmain, D&G, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Valentino and many more for AW23, it’s ready to make its mark on the high street this autumn. This season, expect to see it worn head-to-toe or for those who prefer just a hint of colour, added to a simple outfit as a bold pop of colour.
Bloomingdale’s fashion director Marissa Galante Frank described red as ‘strong and sexy’ to Harper’s Bazaar and added, “Red has been a color I’ve been forecasting for months so I am beyond thrilled to see it on the runway!”
3 ways to wear red in 2023
Due to its association with Christmas and Valentine’s Day, red is notoriously hard to pull off. However, here are three ways to style it without being too over the top.
The Little Red Dress
Go big this 2023 with a different take on LBD. Instead of a black dress, opt for a head-turning scarlet or a burgundy red. You can dress it up by wearing kitten heels and a structured bag, or you can dress it down by wearing ballet flats, another key item this year.
Going Monochrome
If you’re not into dresses, you can style red as a monochrome outfit. As an alternative to neutrals, try going for a less intense shade of red, like maroon or tuscan red. Try a blazer paired with wide leg pants. Break the tonal look with accessories like bags and shoes in white, beige, or black.
As a Pop of Color
Another way to style red is by incorporating it into your outfit. Use it as your pop of colour if you’re not heavily into colourful, bold outfits. You can pair it with an all-black look and add a ruby-coloured handbag, or even as a bold red lip colour or use the colour in your jewellery.
What colours are in fashion for 2023?
The team behind WGSN, a global authority on change for forecasting trends, has mentioned that apart from red, more colours that will be big in 2023 are Digital Lavender, Sundial, Tranquil Blue and Verdigris. Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2023 is Viva Magenta, very much in fitting with Barbiecore.
