Everybody’s wearing red dresses

Associated with passion and desire, as well as strength and confidence, it’s easy to see why the color red is a worthy addition to your closet. From dramatic vermillion and crimson to playful scarlet and pillar-box red, there is a rouge hue for every occasion. And when the dress code calls for all-out glamour, you can always count on a red dress to turn heads. Model Adriana Lima makes a convincing case for head-to-toe red in a figure-hugging velvet gown complete with coordinating stilettos. But why reserve a red dress for after hours? The street-style set knows how to make it work by night or day. Italian fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert puts a whimsical spin on this sensual shade in a dress that combines ladylike pleating with a smocked bodice for a subversive take on daywear. Or follow Danish designer Jeanette Friis Madsen’s lead and lend a carefree twist to a romantic lace dress by finishing with flat sandals, layered gold chain necklaces and tousled waves for a look that strikes the perfect balance between effortless and elegant.