Red and Camel Outfits

Red and Camel Outfits

Red and camel is the classic fall pairing with a little more spark. Red knits and skirts, camel coats and blazers, and red and camel shoes and bags.

Red and camel is what I wear when I want to feel awake. Camel keeps red from being too loud, and red keeps camel from being too safe. Think of a red apple on a wooden table. Red lipstick counts too, if you want the smallest start.

Red is best in one strong piece. Róhe's merino cardigan is a bright red with small buttons, and Co's knitted cashmere T-shirt is simple and perfect under a camel coat. Magda Butrym's cropped T-shirt has a knot at the front, and Pleats Please Issey Miyake's plissé blouse is a slightly deeper red at $335. The Róhe cardigan buttoned up with camel trousers is the outfit I'd try first.

For the bottom half, Versace's cotton-velvet mini skirt is a bright red with a five-pocket shape, and Chloé's high-rise skinny jeans are red denim, great with a camel blazer. Cult Gaia's Amoret knit skirt and Wake knit top come in a red they call Ghermez, and they work as a set or on their own.

Pick one red. A true, clear red with camel looks sharp. An orange red can fight the warmth of camel.

Collage of red and camel pieces from this edit, with a mood photo

Red pieces

Camel is the backbone of this pairing, and it's where a good investment pays off.

Max Mara's Manuela coat is a belted camel-hair wrap, and the Olimpia blazer is double-breasted camel hair at $2,340. Simkhai's Rumi coat is a belted wool at $1,095, a softer option. Tove's Eton jacket is a paneled felt with a neat collar. Camel in wool, felt and camel hair looks much richer than camel in thin cotton, so spend on the fabric.

For knits, Khaite's Leni sweater is a short-sleeved camel polo, and the Nora cardigan is a cropped cashmere blend. Simkhai's Maple top is a sleeveless turtleneck at $325, and Polo Ralph Lauren's corduroy blazer is $600 in a warmer tan. The Olimpia blazer with red jeans and a white T-shirt is a very easy Saturday outfit. Camel also works with navy, gray and cream, so a camel coat is never a one-outfit buy.

A camel coat over a red knit is the outfit I'd start with. It works from October to March.

Camel coats, knits and separates

Accessories are where red and camel can trade places. A red bag with a camel coat, or camel shoes with a red dress.

Gucci's Jackie Slim is a glossy red leather shoulder bag, and Jacquemus's Le Petit Vanity is a small red croc-effect case with a top handle. Valesque's Thea tote is $195 and bright red. Maison Margiela's heel-less leather mules are red and very unusual, with the heel cut away entirely.

For camel, Cult Gaia's Tazia shoulder bag and Estee sandal share a shade called Toasted Caramel. Staud's Harlow bag is camel suede with a buckle at $350, and Simkhai's Marena crossbody is a soft suede bucket with long fringe, fun with denim on weekends. A red shoe with camel trousers and a cream sweater is the quietest way to wear red.

One red accessory with an all-camel outfit is the easiest way to try this.

Red and camel shoes and bags

Our honest take

Red and camel is a classic fall pairing, but it can tip into costume if you overdo the red.

What I'd skip: red head to toe under a camel coat, which can look like a uniform, and red with a strong orange cast next to a yellowish camel. I'd also skip a new camel coat if you already own one. Buy the red piece instead. Red and camel also look great with denim, which makes the pairing easy to wear on weekends.

If you take one thing away, it's this: let camel carry the outfit and add one clear red piece. A red knit under a camel coat, or a red bag with camel trousers, is all it takes to make fall neutrals feel new.