Tonal Dressing: REDS!

CONTEXT

I've been wearing red from head-to-toe since I was a toddler! Orange-y red is one of my best colours. 

Tomato red in my preferred red. I dabble in Fire Engine and Burgundy too. I love to mix up the solids! Looks harmonious, strong, graphic, and pretty to my eye. 

I wear Red-Out throughout the year. Not just at Christmas. 

I have EVERYTHING in red :)  

Red pants are signature to my style, and I have several pairs. I'm showing you one pair. 

TONAL MIX

I have red boots and belt, and burgundy bag and belt - but do not prefer those additions in these outfits. I prefer the addition of the cream, light blue, and taupe. It also allows the eye to rest amidst the reds, somehow. Adds the punchy and modern crispness I seek in my outfits. I am energized! 

SPECS and DOGGIES

As a specs wearer, I can add red specs to my tonal looks. Sam and Jo are wearing red collars to match me today. Sam is snoozing, so that's Jo in the pics :) 

OUTFIT MIX

The Base of Three looks: 

  • The same red pants, burgundy t-neck, cream boots, and cream belt.

The Changes: 

  • Red coat, red jacket, burgundy jacket
  • Red specs, light blue specs 
  • Cream bag, light blue bag, red bag, taupe bag.

I'm wearing #7 today. Only just above freezing in Seattle. Need a warm coat. 

Many of the items here are old, and very old. A few items are new this year.

Thanks for looking! xo

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36 Comments

  • Suz replied 1 month ago

    Pony tail!!!!!! Looks fab, Angie

    From my recollections, that is a HUGE milestone in growing out the hair! 

    Onto the outfits. I love every one of these! Burgundy and red look amazing together here. I can't pick a favourite, though I admit to being partial to 1-4 and 7. Not to mention 15 and 16! 

    Like you, I adore the additions of the cream and pale blue. This takes it away from the purely tonal into the higher contrast and lightens/ brightens the look. It may not be the way the influencers are doing it, but it is your way! Which is so much better because it is personal. 

  • LJP replied 1 month ago

    So lovely - and yay to the ponytail ! It’s always been my dream to wear a ponytail or bun :). Although I can’t imagine myself in looks like these ( I think it’s the European or Asian influence plus I’d never be comfortable drawing that much attention with colour / i need to fade into the background , haha) they are so perfectly executed . I do love red and still hope to find the perfect red sweater this winter !

  • slim cat replied 1 month ago

    Lovely - the best interpretation ! The burgundy is spectacular with red and cream! Pic #16 is perfection in fab style and happy mood ;-) .

  • SW Ann replied 1 month ago

    I love every one of these outfits, Angie--all gorgeous!  Love the addition of cream or light blue--those seem to add just enough difference to make the reds "redder"!? 

  • Brooklyn replied 1 month ago

    I love these looks so much on you! It’s the addition of contrast that makes it so you. I would call it tonal
    with contrast accents. I love that and do it sometimes too. But my contrast accents are a little less high contrast than yours, he he.

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    Thanks for the awfully kind words, everyone! 

    Suz, YES, The ponytail isn't looking as dodgy after three years of hair growth ;) Your outfit faves are my faves too! The high contrast creams and light blue tone down AND bring out and tone down the tonal red to my eye. You see that too! 

    The tonal outfit versions that feel and look right for you, are always the best ways to go. Honest and personal. That's the YLF way.

    I'll be back! 

  • Dee replied 1 month ago

    Oh my so vibrant!! Great tonal outfits with some contrast in your accessories. This is such a fun excercise in creating fab combinations. And congrats on achieving your sleek ponytail.

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    LJP, thanks for the compliments! And interesting deduction. I'm European, and grew up in Asia, so there is that. Red is a neutral in my world ;) And you can have a ponytail too! It needn't be a dream. Hope you find the perfect red sweater soon. 

    Slim Cat, you are so lovely! Much appreciate your grace.

    Brooklyn, thanks for the outfit love! Tonal dressing with contrast accents, it is!! Or, tonal dressing my way ;) 

    Dee, thanks for the kind words! Fun to see people do tonal dressing THEIR way.

    SW Ann, thanks! The contrasting light colours seems to bring out the reds, and calm them down. I see that too :)

  • Jaime replied 1 month ago

    Agree that the ponytail is a striking (and beautiful!) milestone. I can't pick a favorite because each one suits a slightly different mood (and weather). Although I do sort of want to put the blue glasses with the darker jacket to bring out the blueness just for fun :) .
    You and Jo look divine together!

  • aloha emily replied 1 month ago

    Love love LOVE the reds!!! So gorgeous on you!! I always imagine how you brighten everyone's day with your brights.   I lived in gray Seattle for a decade, and I know your vibrance would lift my spirit if I saw you on the street!  I especially love the red pants with the burgundy jacket.  

  • Cookie replied 1 month ago

    Love the red with burgundy. Also I’ve had kind of a crap day and Jo’s dear little face cheered me right up!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 month ago

    Wow, these are all so fab. I was just thinking today, we haven't seen an outfit post from Angie for a while. Or maybe I've been inattentive. Either way, what a treat! Your outfit of the day is smashing, with that pale blue bag and specs, and the long coat. So chic. I adore 9 and 10 with the red Desigual jacket (swoon) and red bag. The half-burgundy outfits are bold, rich, and gorgeous, too.
    And: Hello there, Jo!!

  • Lisa replied 1 month ago

    The lighter blues and creams look so good with the reds. A tonal red outfit really is just so energizing! It's like a little jolt of caffeine.

    Ponytail is a sleek and sophisticated touch. I especially like the off center part with it too.

    How fun that your hair is long enough to tie it back. You might even be able to braid it now too! Maybe just a baby braid but that could still be fun.

  • Star replied 1 month ago

    You do look so fab in red.  8 to10 are my favourites.  Love that jacket! Hello cutie Jo.

  • Laura replied 1 month ago

    Red-out suits you! You wear those Boden pants so well -- they look tailor-made for you! It's impossible to choose, but upon first glance, my favorite combo is with the taupe Furla in #13 and #14. You're right, it does give the eye something to rest upon. Plus, that's one gorgeous bag! 

    Is red going to be your color of the year for 2025? :)

  • Bijou replied 1 month ago

    Beautiful - both you and Jo!

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    Thanks very much for the kind words, everyone! 

    Jaime, appreciate the hair compliments and gracious words! And yes - the burgundy jacket works well with the blue specs too ;)

  • Joyce B replied 1 month ago

    Fab outfits, red is your color.
    Loving your ponytail style as well, good for fun hair accessories.

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    Aloha Emily, awwwh! What a sweet thing to say. Touched :)

    Cookie, Jo sends tail wags and kisses your way!

    Sharan, you are as gracious as ever, and I much appreciate it! Jo sends love. 

    Lisa, YES to an effective jolt of caffeine! Good for body, mind and spirit :)  Thanks for the hair love too! 

    Star, thank you! The red Desigual jacket is one of my faves.

    Laura, appreciate your awfully kind words, as always! As for red as my colour for 2025 - maybe :) 

    Bijou, Jo and I are blushing! 

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    JoyceB, great to see you chime in! Thanks for the hair compliment too. 

  • Carol replied 1 month ago

    Wow--I love all of these. That burgundy leather jacket reminds me of the "it" jacket around the beginning of the aughts. Not sure I had one. So cute, but so cold for a time when pants were also low-rise.

    But my favorite would be the short red jacket with the guitar-strap purse. The outfit pops so much in a way we all hope for, yet is flexible enough to go to many outings. 

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    Nice to see you chime in, Carol! Thanks for the kind words. 

    The burgundy jacket screams the '70s to me, personally. And your favourite jacket is a handy transitional look! I love that jacket too. Too cold to wear in Seattle now though ;) 

  • Cee replied 1 month ago

    Around 1000 mic' drops !

  • RobinF replied 1 month ago

    Great outfits! I do like it with the cream accessories. Love #9 with the red moto and bag with guitar strap but that burgundy jacket is also gorgeous! I am not a big red wearer but I like red-adjacent colors. 

  • Helena replied 1 month ago

    Super stunning ... And your hair! The colour is fab and I love you in a ponytail!

  • Joy replied 1 month ago

    Your mix of reds looks modern so #2, #4-5 are favorites your longer hair reminds me of my audiologist and I check earring aides not sure yet if I really need them. Just making everything louder won't work.  The jury is still still out.  I can hear water running under the street from melting snow.  Should I hear that?  

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    Cee, thank you, and lovely to see you chime in :)

    RobinF, pops with the high contrast to my eye too! I love reds with oranges and pinks - adjacent colours as you put it. 

    Helena, appreciate the compliment and hair love! 

    Joy, thank you! Good luck figuring out your hearing aids. I remember my Dad saying that he didn't want to hear EVERYTHING with his hearing aids ;) 

  • JP replied 1 month ago

    Always a feast for my eyes to see your outfits!! Your tonal red outfits are stunning and I'm glad you used cream and other colors as accents! The variations in shades and textures make each look so dynamic. Such a bold and beautiful way to embrace color, I also love your ponytail—thanks for the inspiration!

  • Bonnie replied 1 month ago

    Red is such a great color for you. Love the outfits and your pony tail!

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    J.P, lovely to see you chime in! I'm blushing at your high praise, and awfully kind words :)

    Bonnie, thanks for the sweet compliments! 

  • Sal replied 1 month ago

    These are gorgeous Angie - what fun looks.  You wear red so so well.

    I thought I had commented previously but clearly did not save or something.  It is that time of the year for me.....

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    No worries, Sal! That happens to me too! I think I commented - and forget to press submit. Appreciate you chiming back in with kind words though :) 

  • SarahD8 replied 3 weeks ago

    This is such a great example of the benefits of consistently marching to the beat of your own drum -- I love the mix of old and new items here. I agree that the punchy contrast of accessories makes it feel more you -- even with your lower-contrast natural hair, it matches your high energy.

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    SarahD8, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you! :) 

    Many Fabbers enjoyed your tonal challenge! Lovely to have shared with us. 

  • The Cat replied 2 weeks ago

    You look really great in all these combos, Angie.

    For myself, all reds need to be blue-reds. I often mix them with each other and at least one neutral, like white or silver grey, plus sometimes light blue. My newest reading glasses are light blue with tiny red dots, and I enjoy wearing them with my red clothes.

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    The Cat, thank you! Lovely to see you chime in. Your new reading glasses sound delightful :) 

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