Red and black is the most graphic color pairing of fall, and the easiest to get right with a little restraint. These five outfits put red cashmere, satin, silk and leather with black vinyl, croc-effect, organza and wool. Let black do most of the work and give red one or two pieces.
Red and Black Outfits to Try This Fall
When Herbert Kilpin founded AC Milan on 16 December 1899, he explained the club colors, according to the club's own history page, as red like fire and black to invoke fear in our opponents. I think about that line every time I wear a red bag with an all-black outfit (the opponents, in my case, are mostly Monday mornings).
Red and black is the most graphic pairing in this series. Black makes red look redder, and red keeps black from disappearing. It can tip into costume, so the trick is to give red one or two pieces and let black do the rest.
A quick test: add one red thing to your usual black outfit and walk past a window. If your eye goes straight to the red and stays there happily, you have the balance right.
A Little Red, a Lot of Black
Valentino Garavani's Djuna bag is red leather and suede quilted in chevrons, with a gold V and a chain strap, so it is the loud one. Versace's Gianni pumps are red satin on a skinny heel. On the black side, Valesque's Corset bag is quilted black satin that looks great at night, and Rier's Forest boots are tall black leather with a chunky sole for the days you actually walk. Any one red piece with black jeans is a full outfit.
A Red Cardigan, Vinyl Flares
Guest In Residence's Cozy cardigan is chunky red cashmere with big buttons, and it is about as friendly as red gets. Courrèges' flared pants are glossy black vinyl with a ribbed texture, so the outfit has a soft half and a slick half. Chloé's Azelan boots are black western-style knee boots with a red strap at the top, and Anya Hindmarch's Mortimer bag is a structured black top handle that makes it all look grown up. How to wear it: leave the cardigan open over a black tee.
Black Knit, Red Satin Skirt
Aflalo's Rixa skirt is red satin that wraps and falls to mid-calf, and it is a lot of shine, so Carolina Herrera's black wool and cashmere knit keeps the top quiet (the rounded sleeves are a nice touch). Jude's Fame pumps are glossy black leather on a curved, sculptural heel, and Alaïa's red suede clutch is a small half-moon that matches the skirt. What I would skip: red shoes as well. With a red skirt and a red bag, black heels are the better call.
The Red Halter Dress Under a Croc Coat
Giuliva Heritage's May dress is red silk crepe with a halter neck, a tie at the waist and a ruffled hem, and it is the most romantic thing in this edit. Junya Watanabe's coat is long black croc-effect material, double-breasted and a little sinister, which is exactly the balance. Herbert Levine's Easy Does It boots are flat black leather with a zip at the front, and Hunting Season's Origami bag is soft black satin that folds into shape over the shoulder.
Black Organza and a Red Tie-Neck Shirt
Cecilie Bahnsen's Fosia skirt is layered black organza with a lot of volume, and Liberowe's Compton jacket is fitted black wool with a stand collar, so the outfit has a sharp top and a cloud for a bottom. Les Vacances d'Irina's bright red cotton shirt is gathered at the front with a tie at the neck, and it shows at the collar and cuffs. Jamie Haller's Trap pumps are red leather on a tiny heel, the second spot of red.
Give Red One or Two Pieces
Red and black can look like a costume when they split the outfit evenly. Let black take most of it and give red one or two pieces, ideally in a texture that catches the light, like satin, suede or patent. A true, slightly blue red looks sharper against black than an orange one does. If you buy one thing, make it a red bag, because you will carry it with everything black you already own.
