The LBD is a seasonless being. Ever since the concept of a simple black dress that works anytime, anywhere entered our lexicon, it has been the tried and true pillar of many of our wardrobes. Cocktail party? LBD. Holiday party? LBD. Meeting the family? An LBD will work! But what happens when we tire of our foolproof option and want something equally as reliable, but slightly more statement-making? Enter the little red dress. This season, on the Spring/Summer 2026 runways, a case was made for the simple yet effective red dress.
There is no arguing that red dresses have been a mainstay in many people’s closets for decades, but we seldom consider them as a staple. On the heels of this year, brands are starting to change this thinking by letting pops of red strike through their collections. Perfectly unfussy, achingly bright hues of red in mini dresses and full lengths. The predominant commonality is that they are all simply executed yet provide maximum impact.
Chanel SS26
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Valentino SS26
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Take, for example, the fire engine red draped slip dress that Pierpaolo Picciolo sent down the Balenciaga runway for his Spring/Summer 2026 debut, complete with a half, cape across one shoulder to dress things up a little. Or the series of crimson mini dresses seen at Diotima, Loewe, and Givenchy, where texture gave them a point of difference with fringe and leather.
Alaïa SS26
Alaïa
Diotima SS26
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Balenciaga SS26
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Bodycon options were offered at Alaïa, because of course they were! And at Valentino, Chanel, Celine, and Bottega Veneta, each brand respectively experimented with a draped brick-red adjacent floor-length moment.
Givenchy SS26
Givenchy
Bottega Veneta SS26
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Celine SS26
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The hue feels particularly important here. While a traditional, cool red or dark wine shade may feel a little outdated especially considering the holiday season, vibrant, warm reds have been showing up more and more on the runways and in our wardrobes, offering a contemporary solution to a tried and true formula. Time to ditch your LBD and invest in a punchy red moment instead.
