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Evening Standard

Entertainment

Amy Francombe

Why you need a LRD (Little Red Dress) this summer

Barbie Ferragamo

The thing about red dresses is that they’re hard to miss. So when a slew of style-setting A-listers stepped out wearing them over the past few weeks, it had the fashion world questioning: is the little red dress (LRD) the new LBD?

Case in point: over the weekend global popstar Selena Gomez sported a stunning strapless Bottega Veneta red mini dress adorned in leather-shaped petals. First seen in the label’s spring 2023 collection, the singer accessorised it with a strappy pair of Magda Butryum heels that featured the same red detailing as the dress. At the time of writing, it has over 13 million likes on Instagram - proving social media armchair critics were equally delighted.

As for Margot Robbie, after an inordinate amount of Barbiecore dresses, the actress broke protocol with a red custom corset mini dress by Dilara FÄ±ndÄ±koÄlu. Paparazzi shots of the crimson number, which the Barbie star wore to the premiere’s after party at Chiltern Firehouse, went viral on social media, where fans argued it was her best look yet.

Widely known as the Capital’s forever style muse – having birthed countless trends and sold out practically any item she wears – Kate Moss also partook in the sizzling trend at the launch of her new Diet Coke advert party last week. She stunned in a sultry scarlet Galvan halterneck dress which Vogue declared a “futuristic classic”.

‘’Red is deep and timeless that, like the perfect lipstick, summons the sensuality and power of a GALVAN woman, whoever and however she defines herself,” says creative director and co-founder Anna-Christin Haas of the internet-breaking dress, adding that the shade: “emboldens all skin tones and hair colours.”

Kate Moss at Diet Coke (James Kelly for Diet Coke)

It’s not just celebrities. NET-A-PORTER saw searches for red increase by 140 per cent in Feburary, proving the average shopper is equally enamoured with the new statement soiree shade. “My favourite crimson picks are the showstopping A.W.A.K.E MODE cut-out maxi dress, which speaks for itself – and the iconic strapless TOVE Lauryn dress, which we bought exclusively in red for this season,” says Libby Page, Market Director at NET-A-PORTER.

“After a season of minimalism, beige, and quiet luxury, our customers are definitely looking to make a bold statement this summer,” says Natalie Dickson, Head of Womens Luxury at FLANNELS. Indeed, after the overwhelming ennui of the quiet luxury fad, this fiery hue has been a welcome break on the autumn/winter 2023 runways — with models strutting the Ferragamo, Prada and The Row catwalks in head-turning red garments. And it seems we all want in.

“The red trend for SS23 is also a great alternative for people who want something bright and impactful but aren’t wanting to be part of the Barbie-core mania we’ve been seeing,” says Dickson. “Whether this be a pop of fiery crimson, or a full-look LRD.”

But in our opinion, this summer it’s about going all out. Surrender to this season’s fiercest party trend with our pick of the best LRDs below.