There are certain colors that always seem to find their way into my wardrobe, and lately, red has been one of them.
Not necessarily a full red outfit—although I’m certainly not opposed to that—but a pop of red.
A red handbag. Red heels. A baseball cap. A red lip.
I love how one bold color can completely transform an outfit, especially when I’m wearing neutrals, classic prints, or pieces that already make a statement on their own.
Recently, I styled two beautiful sets from African fashion brand Gloma, and without really planning it, I found myself reaching for the same red accessories with both looks. It made me realize how often I use this styling formula: start with a great outfit, introduce one accent color, and repeat it just enough to make the entire look feel intentional.
So, let’s talk about one of my favorite ways to make an outfit a little more interesting: adding a pop of red.
1. Start With One Statement Red Accessory
There is already a lot happening with this first look—and I mean that in the best possible way.
The Gloma Coco Set features a beige base with oversized black polka dots, a high-neck top with a statement bow detail, a cinched waist, and a beautifully structured full skirt. It’s made from Mikado fabric, which gives the skirt that gorgeous shape and volume. (Glom-a)
Between the print and the silhouette, the outfit doesn’t need much help making a statement.
So instead of adding several bold accessories, I let my structured red handbag be the pop of color.
The combination of black, white and red is classic, but the proportions make this particular look feel much more dramatic. I added black sunglasses to play off the polka dots, gold jewelry, and a red lip to subtly bring the red back into the look.
I love that the handbag doesn’t technically “match” the set. That’s exactly what makes it work.
Sometimes an unexpected color is what takes an outfit from beautiful to interesting.
2. Repeat Your Accent Color
Now we’re taking the red a little further.
For my second Gloma look, I styled this navy pinstripe set with a red handbag, red strappy heels and a red baseball cap.
There are so many elements of this outfit that I love. The pinstripes, button-down shirt and tie have a menswear-inspired feel, while the cinched waist and heels bring femininity back into the look.
Then there’s the baseball cap.
You probably wouldn’t immediately think of pairing a tie, structured handbag, heels and baseball cap together, but that’s exactly why I like it.
I’ve never been someone who believes you have to follow every fashion rule. In fact, sometimes the outfits I love most come from combining pieces that aren’t necessarily “supposed” to go together.
The red also works differently here than it did with the polka-dot set.
Instead of having one major pop of color, I repeated red throughout the outfit: the cap at the top, handbag through the middle and heels at the bottom.
That repetition creates a visual thread from head to toe and makes the red feel intentional rather than like an accessory I added at the last minute.
3. Let Red Create the Color Story
One of the easiest ways to experiment with colorful accessories is to start with a neutral outfit.
For this look, I started with an almost entirely white base and let the accessories do the talking.
I paired the white outfit with—you guessed it—a red handbag, red shoes and a red baseball cap.
Unlike the first two outfits, where the red is complementing an existing print or color palette, here the accessories essentially create the color story of the entire look.
Without them, it’s a chic white outfit.
With them, it becomes a white-and-red outfit.
That’s one of the reasons I love investing in accessories with color. You don’t necessarily need an entirely new wardrobe to make your clothes feel different. Sometimes changing your handbag, shoes, sunglasses, jewelry or even your lip color is enough.
And if you’re someone who normally gravitates toward neutrals, accessories are an easy way to introduce more color without feeling like you’re wearing something completely outside of your comfort zone.
How to Make Red Accessories Look Intentional
If you’re wondering how to style red accessories without feeling like everything needs to perfectly match, my biggest tip is actually pretty simple:
Think about repetition, not matching.
You don’t need a red bag, red shoes, red hat and a red lip every time you wear the color.
Sometimes one statement accessory is enough.
But when I do want to repeat a bold color, I like to spread it throughout the outfit rather than concentrating everything in one place. A handbag and shoe. A shoe and lip. A hat and handbag.
You can also let the outfit determine how much red you need.
If I’m wearing something as dramatic as the Gloma polka-dot set, one strong red accessory can hold its own. If I’m starting with a simpler neutral base, I might repeat the red two or three times and allow the accessories to become part of the outfit itself.
Most importantly, I don’t think your red accessories have to perfectly match the rest of your outfit.
Sometimes they look better when they don’t.
A Little About Gloma
The two statement sets featured in this post are from Gloma, a fashion brand with everything from statement sets and dresses to tops and pants, along with a collection of African-inspired pieces. (Glom-a)
What drew me to these particular looks is how different they are from one another.
One is feminine, voluminous and dramatic.
The other plays with menswear, tailoring and unexpected accessories.
And somehow, both still feel like me.
I think that’s what I love most about personal style. You don’t have to fit yourself into one aesthetic or wear the same silhouette every day to have a recognizable sense of style.
Sometimes your signature is in the details.
For me, apparently, that currently includes a really good pair of heels and a pop of red.
Which look is your favorite?
As always, live happily, healthily & beautifully.
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