By Nancy Rotenier
When you think of Valentine’s Day, what comes to mind? February 14. Red. Hearts. Love. Get your red on a little earlier this February with National Wear Red Day.
Wear Your Little Red Dress for the American Heart Association
As part of the national campaign to raise women’s awareness of heart disease, the American Heart Association and other organizations named the first Friday in February National Wear Red Day. With February 4 right around the corner, you don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day to break out your red dress.
But if the idea of wearing red has you seeing red, relax that all-black-clad body of yours! Red can be as versatile. Just follow these 5 steps to working a red dress with your favorite look, whether it’s feminine, classic, edgy, or boho. You’ll see it’s just as easy to throw on a little red dress as your go-to LBD. The hard part? Deciding which perfect red dress to wear!
Red Dress Wearing Step 1:
Find The Right Red Dress for You
How to find the perfect LRD? When you shop for a red dress, look for a cut that flatters your figure, for a shade that highlights your complexion, for a style that suits your needs. You’ll have plenty of dress choices, from flowing to fitted, from crimson to cranberry, from corporate to cocktail party. And if you thought “sexy” and “maternity dress” were a contradiction in terms, these 2 red dresses from Isabella Oliver will make you think again. Everyone can be chic and sexy in a red dress. Check out our favorite red dresses, all between $55 and $100.
Wear a Red Dress Step 2:
To Wear a Little Red Dress, Address Your Legs
What to wear, what to wear when it comes to your legs and your little red dress? Consider the climate, the occasion, the dress length, and the look you want. For warm weather, try a bare leg dressed up with a self-tanner. For a bit more coverage, opt for ultrasheer pantyhose. If you need to tighten those thighs or flatten that tummy, make those hose control-top. To keep your gams from getting goosebumps, black opaque or semi-opaque tights work day or night, as do those with a black tone-on-tone pattern like rib or cable. For a dressy occasion, you’ll love your little red dress with black lace pantyhose. Stretch your wardrobe budget—your little red dress turns tunic when paired with black leggings or dark-wash skinny jeans.
Rock the Red Dress Step 3:
A Little Red Dress NEEDS the Right Shoes & Boots & Sandals
Don’t you just love it when you can say need and shoes in the same sentence?! Black footwear works perfectly with any little red dress, but the style you choose sets your overall look. For classic, vintage, or sexy chic, pointy toe is the way to go: kitten-heel slingback by day, killer stiletto by night. And depending on your favorite black boot style—over-the-knee, high heel, motorcycle, bootie—you can go ladylike chic to rocker-fashion-chick with one LRD. For bare legs and boho chic, try flat gold sandals, jeweled for night.
Accent the Red Dress Look Step 4:
Say It with Accessories When You Wear a Red Dress
Being completely dressed doesn’t mean your look’s complete. You’ve got the dress, the hosiery, the footwear. Now, go forth and accessorize! To downplay the flash of a little red dress, skip the major bling and statement handbags: keep it simple. From handbags to jewelry, work with what you already own. A slouchy black bag and leather cuff bracelet? Perfect for hippie chic. An envelope clutch and strands of pearls? You’ve got a stylish classic. A small, sparkly purse and large cocktail ring? You’re ready to paint the town red.
Perfect Red Dress Step 5:
When a Little Red Dress Isn’t Enough, You Need an Extra Layer
From overactive A/C to winter wind chill, the cold can kill your look when you don’t have the right extra layer to wear over your LRD. Again, black is always the safe option, and chances are you—or someone you love to borrow from—already owns the perfect black piece for layering. The always-classic fitted little cardigan is spot-on for day, a ballet-style wrap sweater can go day-to-night, and a beaded, sequined, or otherwise embellished cardigan or shrug takes you toward dressy. Don’t own a black pashmina? You know 10 people who do—make nice! Or take a classic chic or feminine look a little edgy with a fitted black leather jacket.
No matter which perfect red dress you wear on February 4, now you can participate with style in the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day!
Related Links
• Don’t Let Fashion Emergencies Ruin Your LRD Look! Get the Tips to Fix Fashion Disasters
• There’s a Free Winter Wardrobe Waiting in Your Closet: 5 Tips to Creating New Looks
• What Rocks a Little Red Dress? The Perfect Cocktail Ring