The Woman In Red

What is it about the colour red?

Does it evoke emotions because it's the colour of Love?  Or is it just so appealing to the eye, one can't look away?  Both are probably true.

All women know, if you want to attract attention, show up to that party in a red dress.  Why?  Because the colour red is also frequently used as a symbol of guilt, sin, anger...and sex.

Be careful with the red dress though because with the wrong cut and the wrong accessories, you can look like a tart.

Here are some Red Dress Do's:

Katie got everything right here. She picked a dess with coverage in all the right areas.  Plus, she threw in some unexpected accessories for contrast.

Love her shoe choice.

Wonder Woman in red.  Can it get any better than this?  She's 58!  And fabulous.  A good trick at pulling off the red dress?  Simplicity.

If you're afraid of Fire Engine Red, go with a darker red--almost a black cherry colour like the one Patricia Clarkson is wearing.  Also, the red, strappless dress is perfect for just about every size and age.  It's the perfect cut for the colour red.

The Don'ts:

Wanna look like a slut?  Wear a red dress showing lot's of skin.

Blake Lively almost got it right.  The fabric is flowing and gorgeous.  The colour is the perfect red.  Her accessories choice is simple and lovely. The problem?  Too much cleavage.  It's over-kill. It's like she's trying to sell us the red dress.  You don't need to sell this colour; it sells itself.

Remove the belt, lower the hemline to just below the knee, turn those clunky pumps into peep-toe pumps and she would be a Fashion Do. Instead, she looks like a hooker. 

Young Hollywood: what do they know?

Be careful when mixing other colours with red. The black print is much too heavy for this dress.  Perhaps without that long sleeve, it would appear lighter and less severe.  Her accessories are boring and predictable.

And speaking of accsessories........

I think one of the biggest questions about the red dress is 'what colour shoes do I wear with it'?

It used to be that wearing red shoes with a red dress was kind of 'Prom' but that's not the case anymore.  The trick is, wear a red, strappy shoe.  This allows more skin to show on the foot so it breaks up all that colour:

Donna Karan = A+

If you're more of a pump girl, go with a d'Orsay shoe.  Gives you the best of both worlds: shows a lot of skin but has more support where it counts on the foot.

Oprah and her d'Orsays.

Other great colours with red:
Black (of course!)  But again, don't pick a pair that are too closed up or clunky--show more skin on the foot.

The First Lady got it right: a simple, black kitten heel with great toe cleavage.

Perfection.

Gold or silver are other fantastic (and chic!) options for a red dress:

Drew Barrymore with her gold footwear and accessories choice are perfect for the softness of the dress.

Personally, I love a neutral shoe with a red dress:

Long live the Queen.

Nia Long: gorgeous and talented.  I wish Hollywood would give her a decent role.  But that's another story.

I can't stand this bitch but she is wearing my favourite Louboutins. The clutch is a stupid decision, though.

Kristen Davis: Red simplicity at it's best.

Red dresses should come with a warning labels.