The Fall Ready-to-Wear 2022 fashion shows were nothing short of bright and colourful, making a print as we emerged into the outside world once again two years post Covid-19 pandemic. One particular statement piece on the runway stood out against all and that is – the Big Red Coat.
This piece has been spotted across the runway in numerous shows including Balenciaga, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and more. Almost always used as the one look that stands out amongst the rest of the collection. The most notable stand-outs from the shows being an Alexander McQueen belted, bright red, deconstructed vinyl coat a short shearling-lined red leather jacket from Sacai.
In the media, red coats have been popularized by celebrities in the past like Rihanna’s iconic and attention-grabbing Yves Saint Laurent heart-shaped coat that she wore in 2016 as "an ode to the Big Apple". Even more recently, Harry Styles donned a bright red coat from the Bianca Saunders Fall 2022 collection from Paris Fashion Week in one of his music videos for his single 'As It Was'.
Red outerwear has also existed throughout history as a way to announce yourself into a room and make yourself known by appearance only. In Tudor England, British soldiers wore crimson "red coats" as a uniform which then became the term used to describe the British Army. As early as the 15th century, prostitutes were forced to wear distinguishable clothing to make themselves known in the streets which would often be red clothing since they were referred to as "scarlet women".
This colour then made its way into the wardrobe of film and TV sets, often used to evoke intense emotions from the screen. Take for example Julia Robert’s iconic off-the-shoulder red dress in Pretty Women used to symbolize desire and pleasure and the loose red dresses or "uniforms" that the women are forced to wear in The Handmaid’s Tale that resemble the "colour of a womb". Perhaps most memorable is the symbolism of "the girl in the red coat" from Schindler’s List whose outerwear stood out against the black and white background, used to symbolize Jewish loss, innocence, and suffering.
To wear something as bold as the Big Red Coat, you have to be fearless and unapologetically yourself because there is no hiding behind this colour. Go for the traditional masculine wool-blend coat from Zara (£159.00) paired over a matching colour top and trousers for a monochrome look. A long puffer coat from Next (£160.00) paired with straight-leg jeans and a white bodysuit for a more casual look. Or try your luck shopping second-hand for something slightly more daring like a red fur coat from Depop or Vinted for prices as low as £50.
Will you dare to wear the red coat once it gets colder? Let us know in the comments.
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