How to Wear Red Knitwear This Winter
Red knitwear is easiest to wear when everything around it stays plain: black, camel, navy or dark denim. Let the knit carry the colour and keep the rest quiet.
This winter's red knits in the shop come from Alison Sheri and Micha. Most of them look best with cord, so that is where we'd start.
- What to wear with a red jumper
- Red knitwear with cord trousers and skirts
- The red cardigan
- A red knit dress
- Picking your shade of red
- Frequently asked questions
What to wear with a red jumper
Start with black. A red jumper over black trousers works for the office, the shops and lunch out without any thought. These sit just as well with red:
- Camel and stone, which warm the red up
- Navy, a softer partner for a brighter red
- Dark indigo denim for weekends
- Grey marl when you want it relaxed
- Gold jewellery to pick up a warm red
Alison Sheri's rib jumper has a fold-over collar that sits to one side of the neck and does the job a scarf would. Her mock turtle jumper has a soft stand collar that sits neatly under a coat. Both come in a rich, true red. You'll find them in our Alison Sheri collection.
Red knitwear with cord trousers and skirts
Cord and knitwear both have texture, so they look right together without trying to match. Micha's black cord trousers are where we'd begin. Tuck the fold-neck jumper in at the front, add a black ankle boot, and you are dressed for a Saturday in town.
For a skirt, try Micha's camel cord midi. Camel and red feel warm together without shouting Christmas, so you can wear the pair well into February.
Three outfits to try:
- The red mock turtle tucked into the camel cord skirt, with knee boots
- The fold-neck jumper worn loose over black cord trousers and trainers
- The cable knit and its scarf with dark jeans and a wool coat
The red cardigan
A cardigan gives you the colour without committing to it all day. Micha's red cardigan has gold lurex running through the knit and a row of diamante buttons, so it is ready for December just as it is.
Button it up and wear it as a top with black trousers. Or leave it open over a black polo neck, with the gold picked up in your earrings.
For evenings, Micha also makes a soft red jumper with sequinned balloon sleeves and a high frilled neck. Wear it with black tailored trousers and a low heel. Both are in our Micha collection.
A red knit dress
Alison Sheri's combo knit dress is red with a sweep of abstract black print across the body. It is a knee-length shift with long sleeves and a high round neck, in a knit with enough weight to hold its shape. Black tights and a heeled boot keep it wintry, and it goes from a work day to a dinner out with a change of shoes.
Picking your shade of red
Red covers a wide range, and it is worth holding a couple against your face before you choose.
- Scarlet and true red look sharp next to black
- Deeper berry and wine shades suit you if bright colours wash you out
- Gold flecks through the knit, as on the Micha cardigan, soften red close to the face
Still unsure? A red scarf or cardigan is a gentle way in. You'll soon know if it becomes the thing you reach for. See everything in our knitwear collection.
Frequently asked questions
What colour trousers go with a red jumper?
Black is the safest choice and works for the office, the shops and lunch out. Camel and stone warm red up and feel softer, and navy suits a brighter red. Dark indigo denim is good for weekends. Cord trousers in black or camel add a texture that sits well with knitwear, and a black ankle boot finishes the look.
How do I wear red knitwear without it looking too much?
Keep everything else plain. Wear red knitwear with black, navy, camel or denim and let the knit carry the colour. Choose simple gold or silver jewellery rather than adding a second colour. A red cardigan worn open over a black top gives a smaller block of red, which is a gentle way to start if you rarely wear bright shades.
Can you wear a red jumper with a skirt?
Yes, and a midi skirt is the easiest length to wear with it. Tuck a fine knit red jumper into a camel or black cord midi skirt and add knee boots, or ankle boots with tights. A stand or fold collar looks neat with a midi. With a chunkier knit, leave it loose and keep the skirt slim so the outfit doesn't feel bulky.
What shade of red knitwear suits me?
Hold a couple of shades against your face in daylight before you decide. Scarlet and true red suit a lot of people and look sharp with black. If bright colours tend to wash you out, try a deeper berry or wine red, or a red knit with gold flecks through it. Wearing a red scarf or cardigan first is an easy way to test the colour.
Where can I buy red knitwear in Inverness?
Rouge Boutique at 71 Castle Street, just behind Inverness Castle, carries red knitwear from Alison Sheri and Micha, including jumpers, a cardigan and a knit dress. You can browse our knitwear online, or come in and try the colours against Micha's cord trousers and skirt. Our team is happy to help you put an outfit together.
Written by Tania Korad-Kennedy
Tania Korad-Kennedy opened Rouge Boutique on Castle Street in Inverness in 2014. She and her team dress women across the Highlands for weddings and special occasions, and offer bra fitting in store.
