Simply red

WHEN it comes to fashion, we will all be seeing red this season. On the catwalk, in the shops and - if we are very, very good - in our wardrobes. Red is one of the colours for autumn/winter, bringing an injection of heat when all about is murky, grey and shivering cold.

But are we ready for red? In a season normally dedicated to earthy tones, to browns, plums and - you guessed it - black, can we handle a searing splash of cheery cherry?

Of course we can. In fact, we must. A dash of vibrant colour does you good. It lifts your mood and it lifts your complexion.

And you don't need much to make an impact - good news for those who would rather swing naked from a chandelier than give up your usual fashion palette of black, black and more black.

If you really can't face wearing red from head to toe, go for a simple red top under a black suit, a red bag, a pair of raunchy red stilettos or a dinky red scarf tied Audrey Hepburn-style.

This season's styling betrays something of a 1960s revival. Bold paintbox colours, sharp silhouettes, cute retro mini skirts, over-sized buttons, beatnik turtle necks and snappy three-quarter coats - they are all swinging into stores.

Jo Sawkins, fashion assistant for Cosmo magazine, explains the look: "It's very much the Twiggy look, with loads of micro-minis and pinafore dresses worn with different coloured opaque tights. Go for sleeveless pinafore dresses with big zips and quite high necks and mini-skirts with circle pockets at the side, zips or oversized buttons."

Team mini-skirts with sexy skinny rib tops, which can also be worn under a mini-dress on chilly days, and complement this cutesy look with a childlike three-quarter coat in wool, felt or patent.

Bella Binns, fashion assistant for CosmoGIRL!, agrees that the way to pull off the 1960s look is to be bold: "The palette is strong this season, based around black, white, electric blue and red.

"So you could wear a white mini-skirt with black opaque tights, a red polo neck and some white pointy ankle boots to be quite retro. You can also wear pink and red together. It used to be a bit of a taboo but it really works."

One of the benefits about this autumn/winter trend is that you don't have to bother your bank manager - unless, of course, you actively enjoy bothering them.

You can cheat by mixing one 1960s-style item, such as a geometric print mini-skirt, with a plain top, or wear a plain black dress with opaque tights, retro shoes and accessories, such as massive disc earrings and bauble bangles. When it comes to footwear, discs, buttons and buckles are everywhere and the colours of choice are white, black and - drum roll please - red.

Updated: 09:06 Tuesday, September 30, 2003