It’s time for the monthly style report with Cindy! Since it’s February we are talking about color -specifically red. Red can add some French chic to your look and brighten up your wardrobe this time of year…
Start by looking at your closet! I have red things, but I forget to wear them. If you get them all together you can look the options. What are other ways to wear these things? How can I use them to punch up my neutrals a bit? Can you use a sweater as a scarf? Can you layer a red dress with a sweater or over jeans? Even just a red t-shirt can add a little sass to you winter every day items.
For the sake of fashion science, I thought I’d play with my red pieces. I wore my red sweater as a scarf over a pink sweater and khaki pants (just bought these at Anthro), and pink Vans.. I also paired it with my camel coat for a day in San Francisco with the family.



When I think of red clothes, I always think of the French, Parisians most notably. The French use red as a sort of punctuation to their look with red scarves, shoes, hats, and coats. They love to go natural with makeup, but you will see them sport a red lip or a red nail.
I am always enchanted by how they use just one red item to really make an outfit. I tried it with a pair of poppy red suede heels that have been gathering dust the last few years… I put them with a pair of slightly baggy jeans with a casual cuff roll, then a black turtleneck and my dressier Veronica Beard jacket.

Just the addition of the shoe made this whole look feel Parisian. I will try this with jeans and a sweater too. You can do this with any heel, but the red just sort of look very on purpose and fashionable.
We all could use a red shoe in the closet!
Three Ways to Wear Red Like the French…
- My favorite way- in a shoe. Walk anywhere in Paris and you will see looks popped with red shoes. Red boots with a neutral look is so chic. I love strappy flat red sandal with jeans. Red sneakers are always adorable, especially with a skirt. So many ways to have fun with red footwear..
- Bring in red accessories like a cashmere scarf, a red handbag or backpack, a vintage red rhinestone pin or beads. I love a red beret or brimmed felt hat. Don’t forget red lipstick ( I like this and this) and a pretty red pedicure or manicure always looks chic.
- A red coat – whether wool, a puffer or a trench, you see them all over France.
Colors to wear with red…
One of my favorite looks is red with tan or camel. Something about that combination is so classic and also why a leopard print can look fantastic paired with it.



Pink and lavender are unexpected partners for red and fun. So is orange.




Another lovely combination is aqua or teal with red.



A soft baby blue can also look great as does cream..


Let’s look at some sartorial red chic for inspiration…










Red pieces to consider..













I hope this post encourages you to add some red to your life! Be experimental and try some red pieces on next time you shop! Don’t overlook those red handbags and shoes as they can make your closet basics look way cooler and chic.
If you missed January’s Signature Style, it was all about on leisure and comfort wear. I shared my favorite workout pieces, cozy go-tos and pjs I love.
…Now please pop by Cindy’s blog to see what she is sharing…
Thanks for being here!
Kim
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