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    1. Fashion

    Red is the only colour you should be wearing this Autumn

    Wallflowers abstain

    Penny Goldstone's avatar
    By Penny Goldstone
    Published 20 October 2023 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Fashion Trend Report Autumn Winter 23
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    No colour universally commands attention like red. It is one of the first colours used in art in the prehistoric era, is the colour associate with love and became the emblem of royalty during the middle ages. 

    Red can be seen from the longest distance and is the least scattered by air, triggering the brain more hence its use in traffic lights and warning and stop signs.

    It is the colour of a red carpet and of some of the most iconic dresses of all time, both on and off screen. Julia Roberts at the opera in Pretty Woman. Cher in Clueless ("You don't understand! It's an Alaia!"). Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge.

    Image 1 of 4
    Cindy Crawford red dress
    Cindy Crawford in Versace (Image credit: Getty Images)
    Meghan Markle red dress
    Meghan Markle in Safiyaa (Image credit: Getty Images)
    Kylie Jenner red dress
    Kylie Jenner in Haider Ackerman (Image credit: Getty Images)
    Lady Gaga meat dress
    Lady Gaga in the meat dress (Image credit: Getty Images)
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    Cindy Crawford red dress
    Image 2 of 4

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    Meghan Markle red dress
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    Kylie Jenner red dress
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    Lady Gaga meat dress

    Cindy Crawford in a red Versace dress at the 1991 Oscars. Britney Spears' red latex jumpsuit in her Oops! I Did It Again video. Kylie Jenner's Haider Ackerman dress at the 2023 Met Gala. Meghan Markle wearing a bright Safiyaa gown during one of her last appearances as a working royal. And let us not forget Lady Gaga in THAT meat dress. 

    So it's no surprise that it made a hot comeback on virtually every catwalk during Fashion Month earlier this year for the showing of the autumn/winter 23 collections.

    Image 1 of 5
    on the runway at London Fashion Week AW23
    David Koma (Image credit: Getty Images)
    on the runway at London Fashion Week AW23
    Bora Aksu (Image credit: Getty Images)
    A look from Paris Fashion Week AW23
    Stella McCartney (Image credit: Getty Images)
    A look from the Nensi Dojaka show at London Fashion Week AW23
    Nensi Dojaka (Image credit: Courtesy Nensi Dojaka)
    Bottega Veneta
    Bottega Veneta (Image credit: Getty Images)
    Image 1 of 5

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    on the runway at London Fashion Week AW23
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    on the runway at London Fashion Week AW23
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    A look from Paris Fashion Week AW23
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    A look from the Nensi Dojaka show at London Fashion Week AW23
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    Bottega Veneta

    From David Koma having models walk on a vibrant red carpet to Nensi Dojaka casting her show space in crimson light, red was undoubtedly the colour of the season. 

    Models wore the fiery shade head-to-toe. At Di Petsa and Nensi Dojaka it was all about sheer dresses with cut-out details. At Prada, Ferragamo and Stella McCartney, red skirt suits took centre stage. Alexander McQueen, and Bottega Veneta showcased show-stopping maxi gowns with power shoulders, while at Bora Aksu, Christopher Kane and David Koma, the fiery hue toughened up frills, lace and floral cut outs.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    In case you aren't convinced, according to Tagwalk, Autumn/Winter 2023 saw a 33% increase in looks featuring the colour compared to Autumn/Winter 2022. 

    In conclusion, red really is the only colour you need to wear this season, and here's my edit of the best red fashion trend items to buy now. 

    Rouje top

    Lace trim top
    £125 AT ROUJE

    red fashion trend

    Ganni sequin dress
    £775 AT NET-A-PORTER

    red jumper

    Red cashmere jumper
    £130 AT RISE & FALL

    Boden

    Westbourne Ponte Trousers
    £85 AT BODEN

    Stella McCartney

    Asymmetric Seam Cut-Out Dress
    £1,450 AT STELLA MCCARTNEY

    Dior

    Lady Dior micro bag
    £3,050 AT DIOR

    Needle & Thread

    Ruffle micro dress
    £375 AT NEEDLE & THREAD

    M&S

    Suede Ankle Strap Platform Square Toe Heels
    £55 AT M&S

    red trend

    Realisation Gia Havana Maxi Dress
    RENT FROM £49

    red trend

    Zadie Coat
    £490 AT MERIWETHER

    Penny Goldstone
    Penny Goldstone
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    Contributing Fashion Editor

    Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

    She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.

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