How to style a red dress for winter | and the confidence boosting power of colour!

It is no secret that I love to wear red and at this time of year it is a great way to boost our confidence, find some positivity and inject colour into the long, grey winter months! So for this blog post I am enthusing about the power of red dresses for the colder months, sharing the benefits of wearing red and to give you some style tips for (midaxi) maxi or midi dresses for the cold weather! A red dress is such a versatile piece and the one I am wearing here is new this season from Mint Velvet. It is a long sleeve maxi dress but on really cold days I will be adding an extra thermal layer with long sleeves and thermal tights to make sure I benefit from the extra warmth! 

Did you know there is even a Wear Red Day, whilst researching my post, II found out that Friday 4th February 2022 is the 10th Anniversary of Wear Red Day in the UK which is an initiative set up by the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) to raise awareness of congenital heart disease and much needed funds for the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

People that wear red - as well as it being a very stylish look - rated themselves higher in attractiveness and sexual appeal than people wearing blue!

The colour red is known to represent confidence, passion, love, power and anger! I certainly agree that wearing red dress outfits gives me confidence and I think a red dress should be a staple of our winter wardrobe.

Wearing a burgundy red dress with layers for cold winter days!

This is the Kimberley Print Boho Maxi Dress from Mint Velvet and although I am talking about red this is actually a burgundy shade of red, it is an abstract pattern, loose fitting and it comes with a belt, although I have swapped it to my Gucci belt for a more upgraded look.  

Burgundy red dress from Mint Velvet and Locket Necklace from Astley Clark

And our beautiful Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will often wear red and her recent 40th birthday photos show her looking absolutely resplendent in a red dress for her formal photographs. I would love to have a black tie formal event I could attend that would give me an excuse to wear such a stunning red dress! And did you notice that Catherine's even has pockets, the holy grail and mark of the best dress, pockets!  Sadly this Mint Velvet one doesn't have pockets - Mint Velvet are not known for adding pockets but Baukjen always do and so does Saint and Sofia (see red dress further down).

Do you know which shade of red suits you best and is the most flattering for you and do you know if your skin tone is a warm or cool? I asked Anita Feron Clark, an image consultant and colour analysis expert for her top tips on choosing red - do make sure you watch her brilliant Colour Guide on Instagram, including How to Wear Red.  Anita explains everyone should have a little bit of red in their wardrobe.  Red covers a broad spectrum of shades from rusty red to burgundy and if the red you love isn't quite flattering near your face, consider wearing it on your bottom half or in accessories.  The easiest way to add red is to choose a red lippy and red nails (I always have red fingers and toes)!  And don't forget that pop of red - scarves, bags, shoes.  Red looks amazing with neutrals like camel or animal print.  Red goes with so much, including colour clashing and colour blocking with different shades.  

I wore this burgundy red maxi dress with heels and underneath I have a long sleeve thermal top!

The easiest way to dress up a red midi dress for a cold winter day ...

Chunky boots, ankle boots or a knee-high boot are our wardrobe staples and are such an easy way to be stylish but keep warm and confortable.

Remember to add black tights or thick socks and for warmth a black turtleneck will layer well under this style of dress.  I am wearing a long sleeve thermal top from Marks & Spencer, then add a faux fur coat, mine is from New Look and a statement belt and a warm scarf.

A faux fur is always a cosy option! Mine is from New Look.

​I am wearing one of the pretty locket necklaces from Astley Clarke, these make beautiful keepsake gifts and no faffing around with printing tiny photos either as you simply download your own photograph and your locket necklace comes with the photo already in it. This is the Deco White Sapphire Locket in Sterling Silver and I have had it engraved with my children's names and their photo inside.  So simple and a very thoughtful gift for a birthday or Mother's Day.

Ideas for dressing up a red midi dress for a milder spring day ... as the milder weather approaches we can wear a thermal vest and a leather biker.  And then eventually trainers and a cardigan around our shoulders!  Roll on spring!

Ideas for a formal event or winter weddings ... if it's a long gown, (like these red prom dresses), add black heels either black ankle boots or a stiletto heel then accessorise with a standout belt and a coordinating handbag.

And finally how about a pop of colour to a neutral outfit ... look for a red handbag, a red jumper or red shoes or scarf - this would look stunning with black polka dots for example.

Wearing colours can be a lot more powerful than we realise. Every colour symbolises something different and sends a message to our subconscious. Red is associated with our primitive survival and signifies strength and resilience and can encourage the wearer to take action and succeed! Wearing colour can also impact the people around you and at a time when we all need a bit more positivity and strength I love that idea!

Such pretty detailing on this dress with the gold buttons and sheer sleeves!

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I have found the last two years really difficult, it has been a hugely challenging time for us all, and the last few months in particular seemed to have really dragged on. But it is time to take action and fight back. We are crawling slowly towards the pandemic finish line and from what I read there is no reason why we can't be back to normal in early spring! Even more reason to outfit plan! I want to get back to London days out, seeing friends, booking weekends away, and catching up on all we have missed! It is going to be a busy year!

Usually I book my sunny summer holiday over the new year break but this year I struggled fo find the enthusiasm.  However, when my sisters shared their plans it prompted me to take action and I now have two weeks booked at a beautiful villa in our favourite location of Kalkan in Turkey. And even better our dates overlap with one of my sisters so we can have some fun together, drinking wine, dining in the amazing harbour restaurants and enjoying the stunning view. My daughter will be finishing university, yes that time has flown by, and it is has not been quite the experience she expected but our holiday means she can do all her interviews in the summer, get away with her friends and still join us before starting her first job. All being well, she will graduate from Norland College with her BA (Hons) in Early Years Development and Learning then complete an NQN year working in London before graduating with her Norland Diploma.

Love from
Michelle xx
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I struggled to get decent photos for this blog post!  It is so grey out and the sun never seems to hit my garden in any useful way at this time of year and I refuse to go out in public with my tripod!

Sharing this bright red dress again from Saint and Sofia (gifted and affiliate link):
Red Greenwich Asymetric Dress from Saint and Sofia.

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Other blogs I link up with:

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

​Mummabstylish
#Chic&Stylish

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