Weekend Edition #17

Unpacking the Unexpected Red Theory

Hi!

Red is a polarizing color. Throughout history, it has symbolized everything from power and aggression to good fortune and joy.¹ It can convey danger (“red flag!”) and is used to communicate STOP. It catches our attention, which may be the evolutionary impact of our primate ancestors needing to see ripe red fruit among green landscapes to survive.² For them, red meant nourishment and sustenance. Red stimulates our physiological states and creates excitement. It is the color of energy and emotion. It is the color of blood and of the heart. It is the color of love.

Perhaps for the reasons above, red has not recently been the most popular color in design. it’s a lot. Grays, blues, white and black, earthy tones. All good. Bright red, maybe not so much.

But recently a trend has emerged on, where else, TikTok. Taylor Migliazzo Simon is an interior designer in Brooklyn who coined the “unexpected red theory.” She posits that any home decor of any style looks instantly more interesting, more chic and more compelling with a pop of red. She even goes as far as to say: 'I'm petitioning for red to be a neutral color because it just looks good with everything.”

Exhibit A

I’m inclined to agree with Simon. I have always been drawn to pop colors in my home. In fact, no matter how often I start with a neutral palette, I always end up adding color. Yellow, orange, green and yes, red. I can’t help myself.

But, interestingly, I have never worn much red.

However, recently I was gathering inspiration images for a work project, looking for cool outfits on Instagram (yes, this is a part of my job). As I saved posts and took screenshots, I started to notice something.

Exhibit B

Many of the images I’ve saved feature a pop of red. Unexpected red. It might be a coat, a sweater, a shoe, or a bag, but red really is starting to look like a neutral, to me.

And then, to pressure test the theory, I wondered if there was a through line through some of the world’s most famous works of art. Does a pop of unexpected red make something a masterpiece??

I looked at a site that offered reproductions of the “Top 100 Most Famous Paintings” (according to them, I suppose), but it sufficed for my exercise. I would say at least 20% of them feature a strong dash of red. A pop of red draws our eye, excites our gaze, and clearly plays a role in defining aesthetic success.

Exhibit C

I think the “unexpected red theory” holds!

BRB going to drool over this red pant, be sad this one isn’t in my size, and likely buy this one.

Let me know what you think about RED in the comments, and as always, thank you for being here!

x Lindsay

1. https://www.hunterlab.com/blog/the-color-red/#:~:text=The%20Paleolithic%20people%20buried%20their,red%20to%20symbolize%20their%20power.

2. https://aestheticsofjoy.com/the-science-behind-the-unexpected-red-theory/