Red Alert: How To Instantly Fire Up

Chris wore solid red VANS on our first date.

I texted him first, the day after meeting at our company holiday party. He had an "extra ticket" to a Timberwolves game two days later. We got drinks at Kieran's and went to the Monday night game, inadvertently bypassing dinner. I was starving after the game, and he pulled into the deserted Lund's parking lot so I could shamelessly grab tortillas and cheese for a late dinner at home (Chipotle was already closed).

It was a great night—but those red VANS—they were a bold move. I remember looking at them out of the corner of my eye as we walked into the Target Center thinking, "I'm not sure about this..." It sounds RIDICULOUS, but those shoes were enough for me to question whether we were a "fit." I'm laughing as I write this, but it's true—fashion is an indicator of who you are and—whether or not we know it or like it—we're judged on our sartorial choices.

Two years later, red is officially the color of fall, and I'm definitely warming up to it. Clearly, it makes a statement. It's scientifically proven to give you confidence and attract attention—just the thing for a first date (right, Chris?!). Plus, it's the perfect festive punch for this time of year (ho ho ho!). The key to making it work is in choosing classic, everyday pieces and styling those pops of red with soft shades like camel, gray and denim.

Exhibit A: these velvet mules give the chambray shirt and destructed jeans you wear every day a fiery pop of personality, topping off a camel sweater dress with a vintage-inspired Coke cap is an effortless way to take a workday staple into the weekend, and this vest is the perfect layer to throw on over a running tee when you're meeting friends for macchiatos post-workout.

How are you wearing red this fall?

P.S. A candy apple manicure is always a good idea, these sunglasses will make you feel like a movie star and if you want to make a bigger splash, you have to try this wool coat in my favorite flame-red shade.