You've Got To Know How To Wear Red This February

Tina, here.

Red, red, red. It's everywhere this month. I am not a red fan, at least not most reds. There are some I do like, more of the rich ruby-reds and blue-reds. But even these reds are hard to wear. My dear valentines, you have got to know how to wear red, and if you don't wear red, I have some pretty red alternatives for you coming up next post. Subscribe here so you don't miss it!

How Not To Wear Red: With Black

Go Dawgs? Very game day. Red and black together, like this in 2 broad swaths of intense color, is just too much. It's also kind of that bigger than life, power suit, Dynasty 1980's look. So let's wear red a bit differently now that it's 2016.

This red and black is, however, ok. Why, you ask? Because it's Buffalo Plaid, which conjures up lumberjacks, fox hunts, and all good country things we long for on winter weekends (and I use fox hunt figuratively, because, well you know I'm an animal lover).

How To Wear Red: With Whites, Greys or Browns

You'll probably notice I'm not wearing red against my face. I have pink skin, so red looks too harsh next to my face. And my hair is more blonde than it is brunette. It's tough for blondes to wear red. I mean, I see it all the time, but I just think it's a tough look to pull off because, again, red can be so harsh against soft blonde locks. Brunettes with a bit deeper skin tone, even olive skin, do great wearing red next to the face. But me, not so much. So I present you my red skirt. Prada, bought in a London second-hand store in 2004. And I still wear it 12 years later. Classic clothes have staying power.

White is such a better partner to red than black. It's softer and really makes the red pop and look friendly, and not so angry.

Red is a big statement, so white tames it and you will seem more approachable, which is a definite plus for the month of Valentine's.

I pair brown boots with my red skirt. Not black. Got that?

I also love red with grey. You can choose a silvery grey, or a deeper charcoal would also look amazing.

For a quieter look, you can also do a more neutral shoe.

I do tend to keep accessories minimal when I'm wearing such a loud pop like red. I'll choose gold jewelry to wear with red rather than silver because I think it's warmer, and since the red is already a loud statement, silver would be too shiny.

And brown. Such a good friend to red. Black screams and makes your eyes not know where to focus, whereas brown softens the effect and plays to the red without competing for attention.

You can mix greys and browns with red, but stick to solids. No pattern, please. That's just waaay too much going on.

Tortoise heels provide some interest without overtaking the outfit.

Shop plenty of new items in our Shopping Guide, the Style Vault, that have just been added, including a fab red skirt, some pretty red tops and a show-stopping red shoe. Click here to learn how to join.

The Style Vault