‘Assertive red’ is what we called it in our 2024 forecasting, and already the year has been awash with the bold bright shade. As I write this I’m wearing a vintage midi-length red dress that is like catnip for compliments from other women; I’m almost guaranteed at least four a day when I wear it. Red is like an instant spotlight, a cheerful mood boost for yourself and the people around you - and my favourite colour.

It is also the anti ‘quiet luxury’, a phrase I’d happily never see or hear from again. Red demands attention and asserts luxury, whether it’s a red dress or cardigan (also in our trends of the year predictions and seen at Ruby, Wixii and Kowtow) or the perfect red lipstick (like Kate Sylvester’s new collaboration with Aleph). There are plenty of ways to bring the colour into your wardrobe right now, and at the recent shows in New York, Paris and Milan, it was popular both on and off the runway. Whether you’re embracing the ‘unexpected red’ theory – adding it to a room, or outfit, where it might feel out of place – or going full throttle like my big red dress, take some street styling cues from those outside the shows.

RED LESSON ONE: Prepare for the return of red tights

If you were in your 20s circa 2006-2008, you probably wore colourful tights – and if you were real hardcore, they would have been red. (By hardcore I mean, twee as f**ck.) Stylist Barbara Martelo’s version of the indie sleaze trend is far more modern: worn with muted tailoring and chic accessories rather than a vintage dress and ballet flats… Her ensemble is also a perfect example of the ‘unexpected red’ idea – namely, the matching red phone case – and another styling trick I’ve seen several times recently – matching red tights perfectly to pointed pumps.

RED LESSON TWO: It goes well with brown

A perfect autumnal and vintage-inspired pairing that channels the 70s, and reminds me of one of my favourite fashion films of all time, Love Story (red was a key colour in Jenny's dreamy preppy wardrobe, including... red tights!).

RED LESSON THREE: Embrace the whimsy

Susie Bubble is known for her playful approach to fashion, embracing texture, colour and print - often all at once. This look, worn to the Undercover show in Paris, is proof that red and pink are another powerful pairing - and that red is the perfect grounding for all things coquette. There's a reason that Sandy Liang and Simone Rocha also favour this colour combo.

RED LESSON FOUR: Subtle but powerful

If you don't already follow stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, please do. She's one of the few politically vocal fashion editors (we recommend reading this recent New York Times profile), and has extremely fun personal style too. This ensemble is proof of her unexpected and slightly chaotic pairings that work: the jorts, leather jacket, and subtle splashes of red with her artists for ceasefire pin and FC Palestina football jersey.

RED LESSON FIVE: Accessories are an easy in

If red's a bit loud for our liking but you still want to flirt with it, try some hair accessories or a dog wearing a red coat.

RED LESSON SIX: Red shoes, too

The embodiment of French girl nonchalance, Jeanne Damas also knows how to add a splash of red to a chic AF outfit: attending the Dries van Noten show in Paris, she wore her signature red lipstick with Martiniano pointed pumps in shade of 'party red'.

RED LESSON SEVEN: Tailoring is even sharper in red

I own a cropped red jacket by Twenty-seven Names, and while sometimes I feel like a Labour politician or air steward when wearing it, it is an example of how the colour can make tailoring feel even sharper. Fatema Alawadhi’s pairing of a red blazer with a white shirt is simple but very chic.

RED LESSON EIGHT: Red cardigans are going to be everywhere

We’ve already called it but we’ll say it again: red cardigans, particularly crew neck ones, will be everywhere come winter. This layered look, worn at New York Fashion Week, takes the twee style and updates it: a sweet knit, heavy leather and sweet ballet flats.