Red mini dresses

Every wardrobe has a little black dress. A red mini dress is its bolder, warmer sibling, the one you pull out when you want to feel your best and don't mind being looked at. Red is confident, a touch sexy and endlessly flattering, which makes it the natural pick for a date, a party or any night worth dressing up for. It comes in every mood too, from deep wine and cherry to bright true red, and in everything from lace to satin. Sizes 4 to 20, free UK delivery over £135.

The little red dress

Red earns its reputation. It reads confident and a touch daring with no effort from you, so it's the dress for the plans you actually want to show up for: a dinner date, Valentine's, a birthday, a cocktail do or a festive party over the holidays. Because red already commands the room, build around it lightly, a black or nude heel is really all it needs, with a slim bag and a touch of gold if you want it. For a cooler edge, a leather jacket thrown over the top turns it into date-night armour.

Cherry, wine, or true red?

Red has more range than it gets credit for. Cherry and true red are bright and classic; wine, dark red and burgundy are richer and moodier, lovely for winter and evening; and every one of them flatters. On shape, a corset, strapless or halter mini is made for going out, while a bodycon cut is the classic red-dress silhouette. Velvet feels rich for the festive season, sequin brings the sparkle, and linen or gingham keeps a red mini easy for summer. The combinations are half the fun too: pink and red is the of-the-moment clash, while red and white feels crisp and a little retro. 

Red, every which way

For more, our red dresses edit has every shade, mini dresses brings this length to other colours, and red midi dresses and red maxi dresses go longer. When you want the full going-out line-up, party dresses and going-out outfits are right there.