The Two Colors Everyone Is Wearing With Red

last updated 1 December 2023

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As you know, red is the color of the season—maybe even the year. I'd be remiss not to point out some commonalities with how people are wearing the It color. It may seem like stating the obvious, but somebody's gotta do it.

My Instagram feed is currently filled with crimson outfits. Some are head-to-toe looks, but most contain just splashes of red—whether in the form of a sweater, a pair of shoes, a bag, and so on. More often than not, those red splashes are paired with one of two "boring" colors: gray or black. Groundbreaking, right? The thing that is interesting is that wearing gray or black ultimately allows red to shine. Nothing is competing with it for attention. It's basically saying, "I'm wearing an It color, and that's what I want you to notice." All of the outfits below confirm this, so have a scroll and see for yourself. While you're at it, shop the best black, gray, and red pieces to wear together.

GRAY & RED

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SHOP GRAY PIECES

Mango

Gathered Details Dress

Pair this with a long gray coat and red shoes.

J.Crew

Ribbed Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

Reminder that winter is coming.

Maje

Short Wraparound Skirt

Something to wear with all of those red sweaters.

Zara

Belted Tapered Pants

Chic.

Leset

Rio Bateau Dress

This is the picture of elegance.

BLACK & RED

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SHOP BLACK PIECES

Reformation

Porter Cropped Jacket

The Ref coat everyone wants right now.

Lioness

Minimalist Maxi Skirt

It only looks expensive.

Mango

T-Shirt With Velvet Shoulder Pads

Why wear a regular black T-shirt when you can wear a velvet one?

Agolde

90 Mid Rise Straight Jeans

If you're in the market for new black jeans, these are highly recommended.

Amanda Uprichard

Puzzle Dress

This would look amazing with red tights.

SHOP RED PIECES

Madewell

Slinky Ribbed Trouser Socks

Red socks are an essential this season.

J.Crew

Cashmere Classic-Fit Crewneck Sweater

J.Crew can barely keep its red sweaters in stock right now.

Staud

Quant Mock Neck Shift Dress

You have to see how pretty the back of this dress is.

Reformation

Layla Skirt

How this is still in stock beats me.

Jacquemus

Le Bambimou Satin Satchel

It-bag alert.

Zara

100% Wool Double Breasted Blazer

I'm shocked this isn't sold out yet.

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Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.