It’s official, red is not dead.
London Fashion Week has drawn its curtains for spring/summer 2024, yet one trend that emerged from the sartorial parade is etched on our memory.
Red shirts were an unmissable feature of the fashion week festivities. Yes, the exact design championed by Britpop bands who brought the bold colourway to the masses. The piece harks back to the late Nineties when Oasis and Blur were swept up in an epic chart battle and the guitar band movement began to infiltrate fashion.
An age of Fred Perry polo shirts, Harrington jackets and Adidas Sambas arose, frequently punctuated with red that mirrored the colour schemes of the Union Jack and the new Labour Government.
Red shirts were sported by the likes of Oasis co-founders Liam Gallagher and Paul McGuigan, Pulp drummer Nick Banks and Blue drummer Dave Rowntree. Naturally, it became a staple for boy bands, with Backstreet Boys, Westlife and NSYNC adopting the shirt into their coordinating wardrobes when the Noughties hit and Britpop folded.
Thanks to Valentino’s autumn/winter 2023 collection, the red shirt is back and better than ever. On September 18, the London glitterati descended upon 1 Hotel Mayfair to attend the Perfect Magazine x Valentino LFW party. Swathes of stars mingled within the hotel, dressed in their finest glad rags spanning sequined cocktail dresses, acid-wash leather jackets and deconstructed silhouettes sourced from the hottest designers in town.
The stand-out trend from the night? You guessed it: red shirts. Stars including Mary Charteris, Amy Jackson and Bryanboy stepped out in the house’s unembellished red shirts, which offered a contemporary spin on traditional black tie dressing.
Pedro Pascal, Kaia Gerber and Labrinth are also VIP fans of Valentino’s latest hype piece, having donned the shirt for campaigns, the Met Gala and more.
A welcome move away from Valentino pink, the scarlet shade has inevitably trickled down to the high street with brands Mango, Arket and Hobbs incorporating the pigment into their winter collections.
An oxymoron garment that merges minimalist design with maximalist colour, the red shirt has taken on a whole new sartorial cachet. Read on to discover the best red shirts to shop to get ahead of the trend cycle and tap into a piece surprisingly steeped in history.
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Valentino Long-sleeved Cropped Shirt
Fresh from the runway, Valentino’s cropped shirt kickstarted the collared craze. The luxury piece features a concealed button front, long sleeves and a crisp cut - all of which are embellished by the vibrant hue. Pair yours with a black tie for a celebrity-approved style.
Buy now £1190.00, Farfetch
Stine Goya Mia Cotton Shirt
A fiery fashion look has never been easier to achieve. Stine Goya’s transitional shirt puts a bold twist on the signature minimalist Scandi style. Team with a black mini skirt and boots and you have yourself an It-girl look to see you through to spring.
Buy now £206.00, END.
Mango Lyocell Fluid Shirt
Crafted from comfortable lyocell, Mango’s crimson offering is an affordable way to adopt the trend. It features a straight design and a frontal button-fastening that is perfect for pairing with jeans or trousers for days in the office.
Buy now £35.99, Mango
Ferragamo Long-sleeved Cotton Shirt
Britpop meets Italian luxury with Ferrgamo’s red shirt in pristine cotton. The streamlined shirt with a nipped-in waist is a feminine option complete with a classic collar, long sleeves and button-down detailing.
Buy now £595.00, Farfetch
Arket Relaxed Poplin Shirt
Arket’s Poplin shirt is a crisp rendition of the Valentino creation. A curved hemline and a regular collar make for easy styling for the days when outfit inspiration runs dry.
Buy now £67.00, Arket
Theory Admiral Crepe Shirt
Red’s Christmassy connotations position it as a winter colour, and Theory’s crepe shirt is the ultimate festive button-down. A lightweight fit made from the lustrous fabric promises a creaseless piece that can be layered under blazers or jackets.
Buy now £275.00, Net-A-Porter
