Are you ‘red’-y for Christmas?

Red is everywhere at Christmas! Fairy lights, Christmas bobbles, holly berries and even Rudolph’s red nose. It’s a colour often associated with love, energy and passion but at Christmas it’s jolly and fun! Often people choose to wear red during the festive season, but how comfortable are you when it comes to wearing this vibrant, eye-catching shade?

There is a full spectrum of reds to choose from. From pillar box red, to burgundy, wine to mulberry, coral-red to tomato red, there’s a shade to suit everyone! So what should you consider when choosing a red garment for your wardrobe?

How do I know which shade of red is best for me?

Red is a primary colour that sits beside blue and yellow on the colour wheel. Some reds will have elements of blue and will be ‘cool’ while others will have yellow components and will appear ‘warm’. Cool-toned ladies will look fabulous in blue reds. Burgundy, wine and ruby red tones will look rich and luxurious, allowing cool skin tones to look radiant and healthy. Tomato red, coral & scarlet will look striking and alluring on those with warmer skin tones.

But if red feels too hot to handle, you can still inject some colour and festive fun by following my tips below.

  • If head-to-toe red is too much for you, try adding denim or leather to give it a casual look. A red top or blouse in a flattering shade will add brightness and radiance to your face while jeans or leather trousers will keep your outfit fresh and modern.
  • Try mixing it with neutrals! Add a crisp white shirt or a neutral toned blazer to a vibrant pair of red trousers or skirt and hey presto! Colourful and stylish for your next meeting!
  • Pink can be worn as a softer alternative and can look amazing on cool skin tones but for colour clashing at it’s finest wear with red for maximum impact!
  • Consider adding red accessories to a neutral outfit. A pop of red will add interest to a classic look. Try a red bag, an eye-catching pair of boots or a statement pair of earrings!
  • For instant glamour, wear a red lip! A red nail polish will keep your look elegant and chic.

Here are my favourite red pieces from online stores & the High Street!

Baukjen Aileen dress £71 (on sale)

Catherine

Sparkle & Shine this Christmas in Sequins!

2020 has been a tough year for us all with little to celebrate and few opportunities to socialise! Many of us have been working from home and spending more time in the house, so comfort has been our top priority! We’ve all invested in copious amounts of loungewear and athleisurewear, after-all there’s no point sitting on a Zoom call in tight waistbands and stiff, tailored workwear!

It’s Christmas!

But……It’s Christmas! 2021 looks set to be brighter year, we’ve got a vaccine and things are hopefully starting to look up! So let’s end 2020 in style and add some sparkle to our wardrobe! I don’t know about you, but there’s something about sequins! An instant mood lifter, they add a touch of glamour and fun to any outfit!

These are my top tips when choosing sequins this Christmas!

  • For maximum impact wear a sequin dress. Team with heels, clutch and lippy and you’re good to go! Keep accessories to a minimum and let your dress do the talking!
  • If full on sequins isn’t for you, try dressing them down. Choose a sequin top and style with jeans and sneakers. Add a classic blazer in a neutral shade and that’s your Christmas day outfit sorted!
  • Consider the colour you buy. Cool skin tones will shine in silver, pink and blue sequins while warmer skin tones will look radiant in gold and bronze. If you opt to wear your sequins below the waist, then try black. This will flatter curves and add versatility to your wardrobe. A sequin skirt with a jumper or t-shirt could be worn throughout all the seasons, not just at Christmas!
  • Mix it up a bit! Try adding other textures and fabrics to your sequins. I love styling mine with a fur coat but they can look modern and fresh with leather too. Opt for faux leather trousers or a skirt and add boots for an alternative look.
  • Choose your sequins carefully! Eye-catching and sparkly, they can draw attention to areas of curve. If this isn’t your goal, then use sequins to create balance and proportion. A pear-shape will look amazing in a puff sleeve sequin top while apple and athletic body-shapes can show off their enviable slender legs in a sequin skirt. For an instant wardrobe update, add this season’s sequin trousers to your Santa list!

I’ve attached some of my top sequin finds from the High Street if you want to add some pizzazz to your wardrobe for the festive season!

Sequin Dress
Sequin Dress from H&M – £34.99
H&M sequin top £24.99, H&M sequin skirt £24.99
Ted Baker Sequin bomber jacket £134 (on sale)

Sparkle, shine, add a red lippie and enjoy!

Catherine