Red. red red. It’s provacative, it’s out there, it’s in your face.. scarlet woman, Scarlet O’Hara, Blood Red Roses-  it’s the most gorgeous of colours- and sometimes the most dangerous:Woman in Red from The Matrix

It can also be corny, overdone, inappropriate (red at a funeral? Come on!) and just plain… naff!  Is it timeless? Do you remember the fuss that was made about Kelly Le Brock in the film the Woman in Red? Where that film and that style nowadays?

So when to be a woman in red, and when not? It depends whether you go by rules, follow rules slavishly, or bend and break the rules. It’s all down to occasion and confidence. if you get it wrong, don’t apologise and slip away to the toilets to change. Be brazen and tough it out- you are in red for heaven’s sake! If in doubt get the red out, I say!

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.  In contrast the allegedly most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy!

From the cassocks of Catholic cardinals to the cape of Superman, and even the piinty tail of old Nick, the Devil, red epitomises power. Put simply, it commands respect. People have to look at you. You are saying:

“Here I am! I am a woman in charge of me, my wardrobe, and my senses”

So red is not really a colour for a shrinking violet, an apologist for brash authority and outspokenness. You may not be a red personality all the time, everyone has their pastel moments, but for an evening dress, if you want to impress, stress red!

There’s that special occasion coming up. Your wardrobe is so… well.. last year!  You need some inspiration. You’re not alone. Many women go through these hoops when something big and formal is approaching. Or maybe just a party where you want to shine and stand out from the crowd. Take a look at these gorgeous gowns here: Great Evening Dresses

• Evening wear is usually marked by more formal material and fabrics- dramatic silhouettes and higher cost per garment. Common evening wear fabrics include silk, satin, velvet, chiffon, georgette and metallic lame. In addition, evening wear ensembles typically include a pair of special-occasion shoes, a small clutch bag and an elaborate hairstyle.

  Formal dress is widely available, with most leading department stores housing an evening wear department. In addition, many bridal salons and Internet stores also carry dressy clothing. However, great evening ensembles can often be produced from a combination of everyday fashions and fancier pieces. Great bargains can be had on the internet although you’ll have to be sure of your size and colour/style requirements.

• Types

  • In the world of women’s evening wear, dresses rule the field. For less formal occasions, such as drinks or a nice dinner out, a knee-length or shorter cocktail dress is the best choice. Cocktail dresses also work for a night of dancing or a semi formal wedding.

    Usually, the more formal the event, the longer the dress. For a semi formal wedding, a dress that falls at or slightly below the knee is suitable, as is a tea-length dress. Ankle- or full-length dresses are the most formal of all lengths and usually cost the most. A full-length dress may have a train, or it can have a very full skirt; depending on the structure, it may require underpinnings, such as a petticoat or slip. Long dresses are a must at white-tie events, formal weddings, balls and galas.

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  The Appropriateness of Evening Suits and Dress Trousers

  • Some women prefer to wear a formal suit or trousers outfit as evening wear. In some instances, this can work; well-cut trousers with an embellished top are appropriate for business formal functions and can look very respectable. However, they may not be the best choice for the most formal of occasions.

    Instead of a trouser suit, try what fashion matriarch Carolina Herrera always wears: a fancy white blouse, combined with a sweeping, floor-length skirt. This look is elegant and time-tested, gaining popularity back in the 1940s and 1950s. Formal suits and dress-pants ensembles are best left for church, the theater, dinner parties and semiformal events.

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    Carolina Herrera

  • The very definition of evening wear, and the types of clothing appropriate for that category, has changed drastically. Nowadays, starlets sometimes wear cocktail-like dresses to the Emmys, Baftas etc and maxi-length dresses are popular for the cocktail hour. In some venues, it’s fine to get creative with evening wear. In others, it’s not such a good idea.

    Although designers and editors may be styling casual shirts with formal bottoms in editorial shoots and on the runway, it can be a risky proposition in the real world. If in doubt, it’s always best to stick to an ensemble that’s obviously formal. Being overdressed is better and less embarrassing than arriving underdressed. No matter what your personal preference is, your attire should be something that honors the occasion and shows what respect it merits from you.

  Finally location shouldn’t be an issue- you should be able to wear what is required for a formal event in London, in Cornwall, on the Isle of Wight,  in Swansea or in Leeds!