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What Is It About a Red Dress?
(Red Never Makes You Guess)
Every woman deserves a red dress.
A white dress may speak of purity, and a black dress may speak of power, especially in Washington, D.C. But no color announces your presence quite like a red dress. Nothing makes a man say, Well, HELLO, faster than a fire-engine red dress. Even in D.C., where they might say it in a whisper, or a sidelong glance. A red dress speaks of presence, passion, the very life force, POW! Red is a signal flare shot into the air. Red makes a statement, and it never makes you guess what that statement is.
Here I am, world! Red on arrival! Deal with it.
Yes, even you, you devotees of beige and gray, in your neutral leggings and hoodies. You who fear the bolder hues provided by nature or art, open your eyes to the possibilities of red. Wear it to wake up your boyfriend, husband, partner, yourself. Let him or her wonder what you’ve been up to—or what you’re plotting. Planning to paint the town red, beginning with your wardrobe? Let them wonder. Red has the power to unleash the real you, or at least the you you might want to be, once in a while.
It’s not just for the pale blondes, who think they look good in red. Far too many women say, Oh I can’t wear red! Really? Even Snow White looked fabulous in red, as do women with darker skin tones. Women of every shade and hue were born to wear some shade of red. Never fear, there is an array of reds, from blue reds to orangey reds, from burgundy to ruby to cabernet to crimson. There is a red that will flatter your particular skin tone.
And redheads too! Don’t believe those jealous voices who would steal your crimson glory and convince you to never wear red. Redheads, from those with titian locks to curls of deepest auburn, can and should rock shades of red. Be brave, fire goddess, and shine on. But here are a few cautions.
Not every rosy shade is meant for everyone. Test different reds against your skin. Some will warm your skin tone, and others will chill it.
Be discriminating with your reds. Shades of “red” can be as different as pink and scarlet, cherry and crimson, innocence and experience
Be careful when you reveal skin in a red dress. Red turns up the volume, so a little goes a long way. You don’t have to look like a KarTrashian on a spree. A buttoned-up red dress can be just as sexy as a scarlet scrap of nearly nothing. And classier.
It’s no surprise that here in the Nation’s Capital red is a power color, a particular choice of many strong women. This season, and every season, the red power suit will be on full display. It can be buttoned up, buttoned down, or a little more free and easy.
But you believe you’re too shy to wear red? You have my sympathies. So why not try a red shirt or a sweater? Okay, how about a shawl? A scarf? And there’s always red lipstick. Every woman should know how powerful red lips can be.
Start small with a splash of scarlet, an accent of crimson, and feel the energy of red. And someday you may just find yourself shopping for that perfect red dress for the perfect occasion.
And you’ll be the Lady in Red who lingers in everyone’s memory.
