Your Stylist: Seeing red for fall

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In this installment of Your Stylist, we talk about fall’s power color: red. Red works so well as an accent to perk up drab hues and also to complement camel and leopard prints, two huge trends for the season. Working red into your wardrobe should be simple as it’s in stores everywhere and at various price points. Or just dig out and dust off the red you’ve already got in your closet for an easy fall pick-me-up that will leave you seeing red … in a good way, of course.

Red wasn’t exactly all over fall runways, but plenty of accessories are turning up in stores this season adding the perfect punch of color to wardrobe staples. It’s powerful, stimulating and energizing and worn in the right way red can bring new life to the gray, black and tan items you tend to recycle when the weather gets cool.

Red obviously adds drama and depth to any ensemble, but it’s especially complimentary to all of the camel hues and leopard prints happening this season. To spice up a typical daytime casual look, Tod’s red suede slip on oxfords ($525) look good with dark cuffed jeans, a charcoal cashmere sweater and some layered gold necklaces. Switching up your eyeglass frames is also an easy way to incorporate red into a daily routine. These square frames from Prada are much more sleek and sexy than they are Sally Jesse Raphael and could easily become your signature accessory. And if eyeglasses are too much of a commitment, then there are plenty of red sunglass frames that add warmth to the face as well as being a nice, unexpected pop of color. Ray Ban’s new twist on its classic aviator is a red-piped frame called the ‘Road Spirit’ ($149.95) that’s a playful approach to red eyewear. For something more va va voom, try Chanel’s oversized red frames with smoky lenses.

Jewelry can go red without having to be a ruby. More designers are incorporating red in interesting and exotic ways, such as Kara Ross’ ‘Eclipse red python’ pendant ($360) which adds some 1970s glam to any outfit and Isharya’s red turquoise ($180) ring is down to earth enough to wear every day or to add more spice to a special look.

For those who really want to make a statement, there are plenty of red items that are definite head turners, such as the Sigerson Morrison two-piece buckled suede pumps ($595). They’re pointy and sexy, without looking over the top. Another strong red accessory is this felt Trilby hat from Reiss ($90). It’s as classic as it is attention-grabbing, adding a perfect accent to a dark winter coat or chunky knits. And for evening try this pleated leather clutch from Tiffany & Co. ($995) that’s as sweet and demure as it is sex kitten.

And lastly, what’s more classic than a good red lipstick? Everyone from celebrities to fashion savvy girls seem to be sporting a crimson pout in various shades. Chanel’s new Rouge Allure shade called “Excessive” ($32) is a true pop of red that will put a feminine spin on the season’s military trend and camo colors as well as add even more drama to an all-black evening look.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos from top: Fall runway look from Bottega Venetta/Marcio Madeira. First Look, clockwise from right: Tod’s red suede slip-on shoe at Tod’s Beverly Hills/Tod’s; Ray Ban ‘Road Spirit’ sunglasses in red at Sunglass Hut/Ray Ban; Sigerson Morrison two-piece buckled suede pumps at Sigerson Morrison L.A/Sigerson Morrison; Chanel Rouge Allure lipstick in ‘Excessive’ at Chanel boutiques/Chanel; Prada eyeglasses/Prada; Kara Ross ‘Eclipse red python’ necklace at www.kararossny.com/ Kara Ross; Tiffany & Co pleated leather clutch at www.tiffany.com/ Tiffany & Co.; Isharya ‘Jaipur’ red turquoise ring at www.netaporter.com/ Isharya; Reiss red Trilby hat at Reiss L.A/Reiss