Dress Codes & Style Guides
Red Dress Guide: What Colors Go With Red and How to Wear It
A red dress is one of the boldest and most classic choices for a formal event: it stands out in a room and in photos, and it suits nearly every skin tone in the right shade. True and cherry reds suit most people, blue-based reds such as ruby flatter cool undertones, and orange-based reds and coral suit warm undertones. Pair a red dress with nude, black, gold or silver shoes and simple jewelry, and wear it to prom, holiday parties, Valentine's Day and galas.
In This Guide
What Colors Go With a Red Dress?
| Color | How to wear it with red |
|---|---|
| Nude and blush | Shoes and bags that keep the focus on the dress. |
| Black | A clutch, shoes or a wrap for a dramatic evening look. |
| Gold | Jewelry and shoes for a warm, festive look. See the gold dress guide. |
| Silver | Jewelry and shoes for a cooler, glamorous look. |
| White and ivory | Flowers or a wrap for a crisp contrast. |
Avoid pairing red with other bright colors such as orange or hot pink unless you want a deliberate color-block look.
Who Looks Good in Red?
- Cool undertones: blue-based reds such as ruby, cherry and crimson.
- Warm undertones: orange-based reds such as tomato and coral.
- Neutral undertones: almost any red, including a true primary red.
- Deep skin tones: a bright, saturated red looks striking.
- Fair skin: a true or blue-based red keeps the look crisp; deep wine reds are softer. See the burgundy dress guide.
Not sure about your undertone? See what color dress looks best on me.
When to Wear a Red Dress
- Prom: a red gown stands out in photos and on the dance floor.
- Holiday parties and New Year's Eve: red is made for the season. See holiday party outfit ideas and New Year's Eve outfit ideas.
- Homecoming: a short red cocktail dress.
- Galas and black-tie events: a floor-length red gown. See what to wear to a black-tie event.
- Weddings: fine for most weddings as a guest, especially in the evening or in winter, but skip it if the couple has chosen red for the wedding party. See fall and winter wedding guest dresses.
What Shoes Go With a Red Dress?
- Nude: the safest choice; it lengthens the legs and lets the dress shine.
- Black: sleek and classic, especially with a short dress.
- Gold or silver: match them to your jewelry for an evening look.
- Red: matching shoes create one long, bold line.
For more pairings, see what color shoes to wear with your dress.
How to Style a Red Dress
- Jewelry: gold for warmth or silver and crystals for a cooler look. With a beaded or hot fix dress, wear earrings only.
- Makeup: a red lip that matches the dress, or a nude lip with defined eyes. Keep one feature as the focus.
- Nails: red to match, or nude.
- Bag: a black, gold, silver or nude clutch.
- Flowers: white, ivory or blush flowers stand out against red.
“For prom or a gala, my favorite red is a rich true red or deep crimson—both photograph beautifully and make an unforgettable entrance. I would accessorize with simple crystal or diamond-inspired jewelry, then choose metallic or nude heels to let the red dress own the moment.”
— Liza Greenberg, Pageant Stylist and Sales Associate, Sherri Hill
Sherri Hill Red Dresses
Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers; use Find A Store to locate one near you. If the store doesn't have your color or size, the retailer can check whether it's available to order.
Style 57845
A strapless mermaid gown in mikado, with a rosette-embellished bubble skirt. It comes in eight colors, including red, black, ivory and light blue, in sizes 000 through 18. See style 57845.
Style 57587
A fitted gown in hot fix stones, with a corset bodice and a slit in the skirt. It comes in ten colors, including red, burgundy, navy and black, in sizes 000 through 18. See style 57587.
Style 58087
A fitted strapless cocktail dress in hot fix stones, with a corset bodice. It comes in eight colors, including red, black, emerald and gold, in sizes 000 through 18. See style 58087.
Style 58378
A fitted strapless cocktail dress in stretch satin, with a corset bodice, a keyhole and a rosette embellishment. It comes in seven colors, including red, navy, black and emerald, in sizes 000 through 18. See style 58378.
See more in red prom dresses, red homecoming dresses, red cocktail dresses and red formal dresses, and find your size with the Sherri Hill Size Guide.
Shop the Look
Your retailer can check whether a color or size is available to order.
Find A Store
Find a Sherri Hill Retailer
In the United States, Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors go with a red dress?
Nude, blush, black, gold, silver, white and ivory. Avoid other bright colors unless you want a color-block look.
What color shoes go with a red dress?
Nude, black, gold, silver or red. Nude is the safest choice and lengthens the legs.
What jewelry goes with a red dress?
Gold for a warm look, or silver and crystals for a cooler one. With a beaded or hot fix dress, earrings alone are enough.
What skin tone looks best in red?
Almost every skin tone can wear red. Cool undertones suit blue-based reds such as ruby and cherry; warm undertones suit orange-based reds such as tomato and coral.
Can you wear a red dress to a wedding?
Yes, to most weddings as a guest, especially evening and winter weddings. Skip it if the couple has chosen red for the wedding party.
Is red a good prom dress color?
Yes. Red stands out in photos, suits most skin tones in the right shade and pairs easily with nude, black, gold or silver accessories.
