The Rise Of Red

Color is making a comeback. The beiges and neutrals of the millennial era have finally been eulogized and laid to rest. Now, the vibrant hues of the 80s are back and better than ever, with red shoes leading the charge. Call it what you will: a red renaissance, a ruby rebirth, or even a maroon metamorphosis—whatever kitschy name you come up with, red is back, and she’s here to stay.

Not yet convinced red shoes are the future of fashion? Allow me to change your mind in one word and, admittedly, a few sentences of argument. That one word? Shoes. Shoes are essential, yet they are just a tiny piece of an overall look. Wearing a new shoe (hopefully a red one) has the unique ability to change your look without compromising your favorite pieces. The beauty of it is that you can change your shoes without changing the rest of your style; you can be yourself, well, a cooler version of yourself.

Once reserved for special occasions or DIY Dorothy costumes, red footwear has transformed into a must-have staple for anyone looking to add a little zap of life to their wardrobe. Think of it as your very own fashion defibrillator, giving you the ultimate style restart sans an electric shock.

But what is it about red that makes it so irresistible? Why not the teal of your middle school bedroom? Or even the neon green of your brother’s Nike socks? The answer lies not in a Buzzfeed quiz or waiting room magazine but in science! Without dragging you through the mud of scientific nuances and tongue-twisting terms, maybe people just really like red. I’m only teasing. In reality, the human appreciation for red has little to do with random choice. It all has to do with the structure of the eye. The human eye is made up of cone cells responsible for detecting color. Each of these cones are sensitive to different wavelengths of light: red, green, and blue. However, the distribution of these cones is a little uneven, with far more red cones than any other. This means the human eye is more sensitive to and more drawn to red than any other color.

Red shoes aren’t just a fleeting trend—they’ve become a statement about where fashion is headed and how we express ourselves. In a world obsessed with safe neutrals and minimalism, the rise of red shoes feels like a collective push for something more daring, vibrant, and personal where you can stand out from your head to your toes. They challenge the idea that fashion should be subtle or understated, reminding us that our choices can be bold and expressive. When you put on a pair of red shoes, you’re not just completing a look—you’re choosing to stand out, take risks, and embrace a more vibrant, authentic version of yourself.

So, step out of your comfort zone. Be that mysterious and incredibly hot person on the T with those incredible red shoes. Life’s too short to be beige, so why not reach for red?