April 28, 2026
Outfit Upgrade: Add a Pop of Red
“I find bright red socks often confuse people into thinking my outfit is deliberate,” commented CoJ reader Angie. “Who would wear cherry red socks by accident? So, my saggy sweatpants must be a nonchalant fashion moment.” Couldn’t agree more about the sartorial power of a pop of red! For inspiration, here are 12 spring pieces, in partnership with Nordstrom…
Thoughts? What would you wear? I’d love to pack this dress and striped shirt on summer trips.
P.S. Seven fashion trends this spring, and Nicki Sebastian’s eyeliner trick.
(Top shirt by Saint James. This post is sponsored by Nordstrom, a brand we’ve loved and worn for more than 30 years. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cup of Jo.)
Comments
87 commentsI love the pop of red idea (so cheerful and yet accessible unlike a full red dress or even red top). I’m going to keep an eye out for some red socks and see how that goes. I’ve been following author Emma Straub’s substack (love her!) and she often has photos of herself with friends and colleagues, and she leans hard into color and it makes me question myself (why can’t I be that fun and playful and bright?). And then I have the thought, like an old TV pharmaceutical ad voice playing in my head, “ask your doctor if bright colors are right for you…” Anyway, socks are a start!
Loving my bright red rain jacket from the British company Joules on this grey Thursday
I’m a strawberry blonde who has always turned away from reds. I guess I thought it pulled the redhead out of me more. As a teen, I thought it made my acne more noticeable. Now that I’m an adult, I still don’t prefer it on me, but I’ve noticed myself leaning more towards the warmth of the color. I’ve really taken a liking to blush colors, in particular. It’s warm but not too in your face.
I think a pop of bright blue or green can work just as effectively, I think.
I have a pair of red ballet flats and they really brighten my outfits.
I had a red pair of pants that I wore when I was in my 20’s & 30’s, they had a fun way of adding spark to my personality. I loved them. I should get another pair and remember that girl who is deep inside of me and bring back some spark to this perimenopausal 50 year. Could be dangerous, in a good way. :)
I have a strong opinion in the area of color popping : Coral > Red (By FAR)
Any chance Alison could share the source for her red socks in the top photo? :)
I recently got a short sleeved light-weight red cashmere shirt on clearance at Madewell and I know it’s going to be a staple. I’ve already worn it several times in the last couple of weeks. I did accidentally wash it, so fingers crossed the wet wool smell goes away (I caught it before it went in the dryer thankfully!). Hopefully the dryer cleaner can sort it out!
I am from New York and usually live in black. When we were just coming out of Covid I decided to wear a bright yellow sweater just to perk myself up. I will always remember a women in line wirh me thanked me for wearing such a great color. She was having a hard time too and it made her hopeful for brighter days.
I love that someone was conscious enough to thank you for that! This is why dressing nicely is so valuable: it is both grounding and uplifting for the world to see beauty, so simple, well-chosen fashion is far from frivolous.
When I was 18 heading off to college, I made my mom buy me a RED handbag and it was an eye catcher. Or maybe I was! I wore a little denim blazer and that handbag. I dressed more professionally then than I do now. A few years later, I had bright red shoes and I cannot tell you how many times someone would comment on them. Pink is my color now, but baby blue and bright blue are happily tied for second. You guys should see my bedroom. It’s JUST on the border of too much primary color to be preschool core. I love it, though.
where is the link to the shirt in the main photo!? love it
Here’s the brand! https://nordstrom.sjv.io/QYNB16
sorry! the red terry cloth looking shirt
it’s from Kule! https://go.shopmy.us/p-55545897
I wear colour. Every single day at work, as a school counsellor, it is my thing. Not just one colour, not just a pop or an accent. All the colour. Always. Once my teen students were super concerned that I’d been at a funeral and was maybe ok, because I was wearing black and it was very off-brand. Nope. I’d run out of laundry. But that made me feel so seen by them, the legends!
that is so sweet, Hannah!
I do, too! After a family tragedy wearing black for fashion just didn’t seem right anymore. I choose to (I joke) dress like a clown because it makes people smile, bright colors cheer me, somehow my looser dressing feels more like me and I get compliments all the time.
My grandmother died when I was 16 and it used to drive her crazy that I wore almost nothing but black. So I wore a peach outfit to her funeral in her honor.
I love red and have lots in my wardrobe! I’ve worn a lot of red in recent years for Red for Ed rallies…..I’m a public school teacher. Pulled my pink and red striped short sleeve sweater to wear tomorrow…maybe with my strawberry earrings?
I have a pair of bright red, snakeskin-textured, leather Dansko professional clogs. These are always a smile, repel rain on a wet day, and seem to go with everything. ♥️ RED!
I mainly wear black, white and greys, but every so often I do love a pop of red. In addition to red shoes or socks, a red belt, bow, or scarf does the trick.
When moving to Japan nine years ago, I shed an entire household of belongings—most of my wardrobe included – and arrived with just two bags (one a record player wrapped in woolly jumpers). Somewhere in that process came the decision that none of my socks would make the cut. I landed in Tokyo, cherry blossom spiraling groundward in the zephyr, completely sockless. That week, a new set was acquired: all gold, to match the theme of the research that brought me here: Kintsugi. Last autumn, beginning a new chapter teaching the craft in an old monk’s house in Nara, that familiar tickle returned. Time for a heel-to-toe switcheroo. This time, in spite of living life in black, indigo + grey, it was a full set of red socks, along with a red beanie, & felt like a folding into the explorer lineage of Jacques Cousteau/Katia + Maurice Krafft. The project’s whole team has a pair & we wear them each day of class. A courage-mustering, sort-of-secret, so-far lucky uniform!
I hadn’t heard of Kintsugi so I have just looked it up – I love it. What a beautiful way to look at things – signs of use and damage to objects just being part of their story rather than a reason to chuck them. Your writing made me smile too :-)
Clementine, this is just delightful, every word. How i wish to transport and attend your class!
This is beautiful, I clicked on your name and it’s a link to your website – with beautiful art. Please check it out, fellow CoJ readers!
This is such a joy to read, Clementine.
I want to be you!
I dyed my hair red for 10+ years and went back to my natural brown just so I can wear read without the clash.
My favorite thing lately has been a simple red hair clip. It magically pulls together even the most boring work outfit or casual jeans and tee. And keeps my hair out of my way while I work, read, gossip, etc.
Love all the red….but $98.00 for a red T shirt, and $118.00 for a striped blouse??? I just can’t relate to someone that spends that kind of money on clothes. Times are hard, people are struggling to put food on the table and buy gas, I won’t even mention healthcare premiums.. Sorry but I find this in poor taste.
Think of it as inspiration! I live abroad and most of the webshops listed on this site are not available for us, but I still love to see the colors, shapes, designs and ideas. Sometimes you can thrift something similar, find something cheaper, make something, mend something … I don’t think the CoJ lists mean that we have to buy the exact same things :)
But it’s just inspiration! If everything had to be attainable for everyone all the time, then what could ever be shared on a blog like this? This post is just a fun little escape that might get you thinking about what pops of red you could find in your own closet. If it doesn’t speak to you – just skip it. No need to comment.
Don’t worry cojo team. I’d buy a $100 shirt.
It would be fun to have an all thrifted post. All the beautiful and wonderful items that many of us who thrift have found through the years. For most of my life, almost my entire wardrobe was thrifted, or things passed along from friends. I struggle more now with the extra effort of getting scents out of clothing (and sometimes it’s just impossible), so if I need something I’m more likely to buy new. My go tos are Amazon and Old Navy.
It IS hard Sue – I mean that Orange Clown has actually made it SO MUCH harder for pretty much EVERYONE in the world – let alone the people who are DYING because of the AH.. even personally, the interest rates in Australia have gone up and I just had a baby and bought a new house with all savings used up and a brand new mortgage – so it is hard. And all the women and children hating billionaires who have put him there and keep him there.. it is SO hard. But this is just a gentle distraction: if i had the money and the least desire to shop for clothes and if my body looked like any of these models, maybe I’d look at this as recommendation or research.. but none of those are true for me, and sounds like they aren’t for you either – that’s okay, isn’t it? the colour red is still cheerful and of all the things in the world, sometimes we can talk about it without cravings or guilt. How wonderful to see others enjoying something and to say, good for you but not for me :)
Echoing others – this is inspiration. You can buy similar items at prices that fit you. You can also wait for things to go on sale if you want these particular items. That’s what I’m going to do with the red Madewell dress that is linked. Also, Joanna didn’t exactly fill the post with $400+ items. It’s kind of in poor taste to complain about what someone posts on a free blog.
I personally love posts like these for the inspiration (as others have mentioned). I love to thrift and that red polka dot bandana is calling to me – so I’m adding it (or a look-alike) to my list things to look out for. I realize that thrifting a wardrobe takes time, which not everyone has. Old Navy is my go-to for basics that I don’t find in second hand stores and I actually have a red linen skort from Old Navy that looks just like the Madewell one. I think its out of stock at Old Navy this year unfortunately, but Poshmark has quite a few available listings if anyone’s looking…
Go to eBay or your local thrift store and find something red. It’s inspirational, not in poor taste. I don’t begrudge people who can and want to pay that. I just found a beautiful black & white gingham shirt on eBay for $20, which I am going to wear with a bright red bandana from my stash. I also read interior design sites, well knowing and not minding that 90% of the stuff is totally out of my Ikea and Craigslist price range. It’s inspirational.
Not everyone is like you?
I wear Crocs clogs for house shoes, and replace every other year. I think I’m gonna get red next time! I’ve had navy, turquoise , jelly green, barbie pink and pale pink and musician, and black. Wouldn’t red be very fun?? My favorite red clothes: a cherry red winter jacket, two flannel shirts, a beautiful lace dress with Spagetti straps, a tomato red athletic dress for over bike shorts or leggings, and a classic red bandana i wear a a head scarf.. Red was my dad’s favorite color and it airways makes me think of him. I love color theory and “seasons”, and most would say that red isn’t really great for my coloring (blond, pale), but I actually love me in red. It’s one of the only truly bright colors I wear (the others being cobalt and newly green). Wear what makes you happy!!
Do this with ORANGE please!
I like orange but always feel like a pumpkin when I wear it. BUT, puma has some orange patent leather sneakers that I covet. Some day they will be mine.
I always used to think that red didn’t look good on me, and I was always so bummed because it seemed like such a fun color to wear. But recently I got a color analysis and I found out that it’s actually one of my best colors as long as it’s a warm tomato/poppy red, rather than a cooler cherry red! All to say, the world of reds is so deep and complex, but it was cool to learn that there’s a good red out there for pretty much everyone :)
This!! I’m the opposite, and can only get away with cooler/pinker reds. Everyone should do color analysis! When you find a red that compliments your skin tone. . .BAM! It’s the best feeling!
I love the colour red but wearing it next to my face never looks quite right. Bright red nails and shoes work for me! I thrifted these clogs and they make any “meh” outfit feel fun and creative. They’re crocs! People are always shocked when I tell them haha! https://www.ebay.ca/itm/334853149651
Did I read this before getting dressed? Yes I did. Am I now wearing a bright red dress? Yep. Red is a signature color for me. I have every shade of red lipstick. I few years ago I started pairing bright red with plum and I love that color combo. Today it’s a faded black denim chore jacket over the red dress.
I’ve reached that stage in my third trimester where I’m rotating through the same six outfits and it’s really starting to get to me. I cannot WAIT to buy clothes again someday. (And shoes! My feet haven’t changed yet, but it doesn’t make sense to me to risk it.)
Do Nuuly!!!!! Pick 6 items to come to you in a returnable duffel. THEY HAVE MATERNITY! and a godsend during the post partum months to have cute clothes that fit. Also gives you a fun glimmer to (in your exhausted new baby days) to experiment with funky trends as you find your new sense of style post partum. Leggings of course have their place, but don’t provide the same morale boost as a bright green floral cardigan, a breastfeeding friendly dress, and party pants! I have a code if you want $30 off your first month. https://share.nuuly.com/marisa364
I just entered my third trimester and am on my third month of Nuuly rentals. I was hesitant to try but other pregnant friends raved. For me, it is worth the cost because I get to try maternity specific items for work events (dresses) and nights out (aka putting on jeans). And everyone is leaving reviews which makes it so helpful to pick the right size.
My feet didn’t grow until my second pregnancy. They grew by a half size! So all my old shoes are not wearable. Just figured I’d throw in my experience with pregnancy and shoe size lol.
Treat yourself! For some reason, I had this idea in my head that a few weeks after giving birth, I’d be able to go back to my old wardrobe. NOT. THE. CASE. lol I’m two years postpartum now and have finally accepted some pieces simply must go. But that just means more room in my closet for new things that make me feel good! Buy or rent a few pieces that you want to wear NOW and/or postpartum, that make you feel good and happy. I was not expecting how long it would take after having my son to get back to feeling “normal” (new normal) in my body and wish I had just bought myself some clothes that made me feel good back then.
Okay, I love all of you. (The shoe size thing is so weird! I’ve got about a month left so I’m hoping to get through without any major changes, but we’ll see.) I’m going to start bookmarking clothes that I want to wear postpartum…in whatever size works for me at that time!
I’ve always loved red! (And I mostly dress in neutrals). I have bright red Adidas sneakers, they make an otherwise boring jeans + T-shirt outfit, fun. I’ve also been looking for a bright red raincoat.
I think the trick to rocking a pop of red is figuring out the shade that best suits your coloring/whatever you want to wear it with. Most reds are too much for me, but the right shades make me feel super confident.
I hated the color red my entire life (for no explicable reason besides being from WI where everything was Badger red). Then about 7ish years ago out of boredom did a color analysis of myself (after seeing a pic of me in a dark plum and realizing I looked awful) and realized i’m a light spring. One of my best, and I mean best, colors is a tomato red. I own lots now and every time I wear it I realize how bright and alive I look. Also, yes to the red socks. So fun.
Wait, I just came back to this post to click the links, and could have sworn it was sponsored by Kule. What gives?
Hi AE! At first, we had an image from Kule as the photo at the top of the post. But we switched it out. The post is sponsored by Nordstrom. :)
Red shoes have long been my secret wardrobe superpower. I’m the most boring person when it comes to fashion but no matter what I’m wearing, if i’m wearing red shoes, people assume I’m quirky and fashionable.
I don’t typically look good in red so I don’t own any clothes in that color but I love it as an accessory – last year I bought the Alex Mill weekday tote in red. I also bought myself a red/persimmon colored wallet for my bday that is slightly on the larger side so I can carry it almost like a clutch – it’s a very happy color!
Love the idea but not the actual color red 😂 But yes to pops of color!! Am I the only one hoping barrel jeans will hurry up and go out of style? I genuinely do not understand the appeal, though admittedly I have not tried any on. Thank you Jo and team for filling my weekdays with something light and warm to look forward to.
I’m with you, Katie! A barrel jean makes me – a petite person with short legs and boobs – look like an actual barrel. Skipping that trend (and frankly, all trendy denim?!) and hanging onto my skinny jeans. When I lament that my skinnies make me look unfashionable but feel good, my 9-year old matter of factly told me “Mom, you need to just… not care.” Here’s to skipping what’s ugly on us and caring precisely zero!
Barrel jeans make me, a tall person with fabulous legs and a cute rear end, look like a barrel. Hard pass. However, I have gotten a LOT of comic mileage out of telling my two adolescent boys, when I complain about anything at all, “… and ALSO, the jeans these days are horrible!” They’ve even started making their own jeans comments. If I say “Traffic was really hairy today on the way home,” they’ll chime in with “and the jeans these days are HORRIBLE!” and then we all crack up.
lol I swore I’d never hop on the barrel jeans then and then my mom convinced me to try some and I’m obsessed
Hard agree!
They don’t really speak to me either, Katie, but I confess I do love how they make everyone look just a little bit like Yosemite Sam. We get our kicks where we can these days, you know?
Hey Katie, I never thought I’d wear barrel jeans but they are my favourite now! They feel so much more comfy and cool then my skinny jeans. Not sure how I look in them lol but I feel fab <3
I was sceptical about barrel jeans, being plus size and 5’2″….But, I’ve got a pair of ankle length, cuffed blue jeans and I love the look…they fit snuggly where I am the thinnest, my waist, and flatter my larger parts…my butt and thighs. Who knew?
I think I’ve mentioned these here before, but I actually bought a pair and can confirm with hard experimental data that they are in fact the shizz, so I’m mentioning them again: These AF1s (with no leather!) are my favorite pop of red. https://www.snipesusa.com/air-force-1-retro-nike-university-red—black-ib6836-600-16360300034.html
Lauren- those shoes took my breath away! my jaw is open and now all I want are those cherry bombs!
Fortunately for my wallet and spending resolutions, the smallest size for those Nikes is too big for me. The joy of a near splurge without the guilt!
🎶 give. me.two. perrr 🎶 😍
Red Rothy’s (thanks to Jo for intro’ing them here to me!) flats are my future outfit addition.
I second the red Rothy’s! I wear mine several times a week. Love them!
Fun sandals! Maybe I’ll pick up a pair. LOFT was also having a special on red items last week, so I snagged a cardigan.
I love this idea. However, red looks terrible on me. So, I add a pop of deep teal or turquoise. Suits my cool skin tone much better, and accomplishes the same purpose.
Me too, Water! I have a pair of red Mary Janes I am enjoying this spring, which is as far away from my face as a color can be!
SAME! I think a little turquoise jewelry looks good on everyone…
My color is yellow!
Exactly – I don’t do red…but pink? Absolutely!
When I was young, with dark hair, yes to red. Now I am in my 60s, not so much. Green, however.
Redhead here who does not wear red … but who is endeavoring to be more colorful this summer. Bring on all the blues, greens, & teals! Was excited to break these in today! https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/puma-palermo-sneakers?color=037&inventoryCountry=US&countryCode=US&creative=&device=m&g_acctid=619-693-8226&g_adgroupid=&g_adid=&g_adtype=none&g_campaign=US+-+Shopping+-+PMAX+-+Womens+-+Shoes&g_campaignid=19783573327&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=&g_network=x&g_type=shopping&matchtype=&network=x&utm_campaign=US+-+Shopping+-+PMAX+-+Womens+-+Shoes&utm_content=&utm_kxconfid=vx6rd81ts&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=Google-Mobile&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19783583407&gbraid=0AAAAADnwqi6iGhIq23NXX9J1WeUdQOpgc&gclid=CjwKCAjwtcHPBhADEiwAWo3sJrfw4fjUtBNyQqQYsDIJY4qjVXYSjgfukCC7KlXuDY0ZggI_qIeWxhoC7f0QAvD_BwE
Adding a pop of red-orange, like a dark persimmon, makes me feel better about any outfit. I have yet to find sneakers in the right shade, but when I do I’ll buy multiple pairs!
YES to red. my pop of red is almost always my lipstick: https://www.revlon.com/products/colorstay-suede-ink-lipstick?variant=44109263274179 this one in “Feed the Flame.” I get so many compliments, but I’ve been wearing it so long that now people are disoriented when I’m not wearing it… which makes me chuckle.
Same here! Red lipstick is my favorite party trick – up all night with a sick kid? no time to brush your hair? just worked out? add a bright lip and a pair of sunglasses and voila, you look instantly glamorous.
I want to be you! I feel so conscious wearing a red lipstick!!