With awards season in full swing since January, we've seen Hollywood's famous faces hit various red carpets in their most stylish looks. There is one color that we have seen more frequently than the rest: red.
According to fashion experts, red is considered a universal color, and image consultant and certified artist Lorne Alexander noted on her blog that red tends to flatter most people. It's not necessarily a surprise that red is trending in celebrity fashion. For example, Reese Witherspoon's signature color during her time working in Hollywood has often been a vibrant red, and the actress attended the SAG Awards on February 26 in a strapless dress in that hue.
The Emmy Awards were one of the first January events to show that red is here to stay this year, with Grey's Anatomy student katherine heigl, Abbott ElementaryIt's Janelle James, and Daisy Jones and the SixCamila Morrone looks stunning in simple but elegant red dresses. The trend also extends beyond dresses, as The office student John Krasinski and salty burn Star Barry Keoghan attended the Golden Globes this year in dark red suits.
On Sunday, March 10, our favorite stars will head to the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the 96th annual Academy Awards. While we have no idea what celebrities will be wearing, we can probably expect some bold, red looks at the ceremony. Amid the color's renewed rise in popularity, stylists have shared their thoughts on the universal shade and whether red will continue to dominate on and off the red carpet.
speaking to The independent, Portland-based stylist Grace Thomas expressed how red carpet fashion has been inspired by high-end designers, whose looks have been captured both on and off the runway. Luxury fashion brands used bright red fabrics during 2023, with models wearing Valentino suits and dress shirts of the color during a Paris Fashion Week show last March. French fashion house Dior has also embraced the trend, as Jennifer Lawrence attended the 76th Cannes Film Festival in May 2023 wearing a vibrant red dress from the brand.
“Celebrities always pull their outfits from the high fashion runways. “These are not things you just buy at the market,” Thomas explained. “It's definitely more personalized and high-fashion things. “So the fashion industry really influences what we see on the red carpet, and I think we saw a lot more of that in women's fashion.”
He further explained that, in his experience, he has seen men's fashion follow the example of women's fashion, especially when it comes to trends, such as red looks. “What remains a lasting trend is that specific shade of red,” she added. “It is a bright and powerful red that has not disappeared. It continues season after season in fashion. Usually when we see more of that, everyone wants to realize it and use it in their own way.”
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Much research has been done into the meanings of the color, and Verywell Mind noted that the feelings that red is said to “psychologically stimulate” are anger, power, passion, and love. Color has also been linked to attractiveness, according to a 2017 study in the European Journal of Social Psychology in which 180 college students wore a blue or red shirt. After conducting a series of experiments, including looking in a mirror and observing their reflections, the results found that participants wearing the red shirt reported a higher level of self-attractiveness than those wearing blue.
Regardless of where you are, feeling comfortable and satisfied with what you're wearing can boost your confidence levels. And since red is associated with a sense of power, men's personal stylist Patrick Kenger, who has worked with celebrities, agrees that more and more stars have opted for the bold color on the red carpet. However, he doesn't necessarily believe that his decision to wear red has a deeper meaning.
“Because the reds we're talking about are bolder colors, it takes confidence to wear them instead of opting for a neutral color,” Kenger said. “Therefore, we can attribute that safe choice to the user's level of trust. They have the confidence to wear a flashier outfit instead of playing it safe. However, I think most people opt for it as a stylish and bold option rather than conveying a certain message.”
According to Thomas, when celebrities choose to wear a sparkly look at an awards ceremony, they are well aware that they are going to stand out. He explained that the media then wants to publicize that, which in turn helps fans get some of their own fashion inspiration.
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“People want to photograph a little more things that are also fashionable and of the moment,” he said. “You'll see a lot more fashion-oriented photography, as you see recaps of fashion and all the events, because publications want to tie into trends. “That way you and I, the average person, can try to emulate that in our daily attire.”
While we can take inspiration from Resse Witherspoon's signature red dresses, the colors look different on everyone. Thomas pointed out that when we think about whether red is right for us, we need to consider the different shades. She cautions against thinking that the same shade of red flatters everyone and instead urges choosing a shade that complements your natural skin tone, while noting that fashion show designers and celebrity stylists On the red carpet they took color into account.
“There's the crimson color that we're seeing right now in the shows and the touch of red that's more of an orange-red,” he explained. “So, you can play with the shades that suit you best. As if apple red doesn't look as good on everyone as it does on Reese. But we can always play with red and we can definitely find the right red that works for us.”
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With the help of their stylists, celebrities find which colors look best on them. This has also become a sought-after trend outside of Hollywood, with the viral trend of color analysis giving people the opportunity to find the shades that suit them best, such as through personal color consultations, where professional stylists They use large color samples to learn more about an individual's color. Colorant. Appointments also involve stylists talking to you about color combinations, outfit ideas and makeup suggestions, before giving you a fabric sample to use as your own guide when shopping. The trend has spread even further over the last year, such as with seasonal color analysis, in which you can determine which of 12 different color palettes, inspired by the four seasons of the year, will suit you best.
speaking to The independentThomas noted that while there are opportunities to see what colors complement your skin tone, this isn't necessarily a route you should take when choosing a crimson outfit.
“I know people who are really leaning toward that,” he said of color analysis. “And they will only use that shade of red because they know that it looks good on their skin tone and that it looks better than other shades. But I think there are also personal preferences involved in choosing colors and styles. And some people may not be as influenced by their skin tone.”
However, Kenger urges that if you're interested in investing in some bold red ensembles, gradually lean towards them by wearing darker shades first. “I typically recommend burgundy to clients as it's not as bright and vibrant as some reds, so it's a good starting point if you're not used to wearing red or want to wear something less bold,” he said.
With the Oscars just days away, fashion lovers are eagerly waiting to see how the stars will dazzle on the red carpet. According to Thomas and Kenger, we'll most likely see more celebrities in red suits, dresses and ties as awards season continues this year. And with winter coming to an end, we can also expect celebrities to opt for other colors that are just as bright and bold as red.
“People are really eager to wear more pastels and bright colors because usually everyone is bored of wearing dark shades all winter long,” Thomas explained. “It's a little early to transition with awards season, but it's nice to see the brighter red on the carpet as we head into the warmer months. Then we can start to see, 'Spring is coming, we're excited about color.'”
