Most Wanted
A curated roundup of the best new fashion arrivals, hand-picked by our editors
Dark mornings and nights are well and truly upon us, and one sure-fire way to tackle them is by injecting some powerful, mood-boosting color into your daily routine. This season is packed with a rainbow of uplifting shades to choose from, but should you need a helping hand to decide, follow the lead of our fashion editors, who remain united in their obsession with one universally flattering shade: red.
But how do you incorporate such a bold hue into your winter wardrobe? Raising your coat game is essential, so start there and turn to a brand with a long-standing history with the color: Valentino Garavani. Back in 1959, the Italian house’s eponymous founder debuted his first red dress – named ‘Fiesta’ – and then continued to capture hearts by making the romantic hue a recurring theme in each new collection. Supermodels really loved the iconic Valentino red, too: Elle Macpherson wore it to the Met Gala in 1995, Claudia Schiffer to the Golden Globes in 2000, and Iman to an annual fundraiser in 2006.
Today, creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli continues to use signature colors in artful and imaginative ways, paying tribute to the label’s vast archives, but through a contemporary lens. “Piccioli’s use of color is always extraordinary,” says NET-A-PORTER’s junior fashion editor Kristen Neillie. “For fall/winter ’23, he swapped shocking ‘PP’ pink for a fiery, attention-grabbing red, helping it to become one of the season’s hottest hues.”
Worn both on the FW23 runway in Paris and by Kaia Gerber in the #ValentinoBlackTie campaign, the coat’s evocative shade – combined with thick, fuzzy mohair and elongated proportions – delivers a punk take on everyday staples. “Red has real impact when it is used to create outerwear, so if you’re looking to invest in a coat with the wow-factor, this is it,” adds Neillie.
When it comes to layering and putting well-considered outfits together, styling this statement shade couldn’t be easier. “As seen in a series of looks at the show, red works well with black, so I would team it with Bottega Veneta’s tailored pants and a coordinating intrecciato leather bag from the label’s Gemelli collection,” reveals Neillie. “Paring the shade back with soft, cool-toned neutrals would also work beautifully. Try The Row’s sand ‘Ophelia’ sweater, which is knitted with wool and cashmere, then wrap Loewe’s thickly ribbed beige scarf around your neck for extra coziness,” she adds.
For the perfect finishing touch, all you need are a few carefully considered accessories – but don’t worry about being too dainty or delicate with your choices. “Once I have decided on my layers, I would channel this season’s silver-jewelry trend and add something jumbo-sized for a modern finish,” reveals Neillie. Part of our consciously crafted NET SUSTAIN edit, Laura Lombardi’s ‘Portrait’ necklace has an oversized toggle clasp, while Completedworks’ recycled ‘The Best Place to be a Puffin’ ring boasts a chunky organic shape.
Browse this week’s New In.