Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • Fashion

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert

 These ladies are re-working this typically festive hue as a hot summer shade. Tell us, are these ladies well red?
By Celia L. Smith · Updated October 28, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
Shala Monroque

Creative Director Shala Monroque holds no punches in this prim patent Valentino red dress with metallic pumps at this year’s amfAR Inspiration Gala. Too demure or red hot?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Jemal Countess/WireImage
02
Solange

It’s a pattern party for Solange at the Intermix 20th Anniversary Celebration in a Diane von Furstenberg red-orange wing print blouse and pant set straight off the fall runway. Do you approve of her print selection this time around?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Randy Brooke/WireImage & Thomas Concordia/Getty Images
03
Kat Graham

Draped in a red-orange Antonio Berardi halter print gown, Kat Graham channels a modern-day Marilyn Monroe at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Only God Forgives. What do you think of her matching red carpet look?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Matt Baron/BEImages
04
Tika Sumpter

The Haves and Have Nots starlet sports a red ruffled jumpsuit with just the right amount of sexy side cleavage at the After Earth premiere in New York City. Is Tika Sumpter’s look hot or not?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
05
Ciara

Ciara turns it up at the LA Gay Pride Festival clad in scarlet leather and lace. Is this look fierce or a fashion fail?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Rodrigo Vaz/Getty Images and Amanda Edwards/WireImage
06
Kiara Kabukuru

At the 4th Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala Kiara Kabukuru shows us how to pull off leather in warmer weather, paired with nothing but a sharp blazer and a matching pout. Would you follow her lead?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
07
Iman

Iman arrives at the 4th Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala in a Valentino signature red hued chiffon gown. Is she “Gone With The Wind fabulous,” or what?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Jemal Countess/WireImage and Alo Ceballos/FilmMagic)
08
Rihanna

This “Ri-Ri Woo” red, high-gloss Miu Miu skirt is a traffic stopper in Manchester. What do you think of the singer’s street style look?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Beretta/Sims/Rex/Rex USA
09
Gabrielle Union

Union’s 70s style Bec & Bridge jumpsuit was a bold move at the New York Upfront event. What do you think?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for BET
10
Veronica Webb

Veronica Webb adds a splash of coral red to a summer white ensemble with a Parisian red pedi to match. What do you think of this bold move?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Erik Pendzich/Rex USA
11
Kelly Rowland

Kelly Rowland was one of the first to step out red-dy for spring, in a leather-sleeved blazer and zebra patterned pumps. Did the combo work for the solo singer?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Araya Diaz/WireImage
12
Emeli Sandé

Brit beauty Emeli Sandé stops for a street style opp clad in Mc. Q by Alexander McQueen’s fire engine red bodycon and leather jacket. Well dressed or unimpressed?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
13
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Wiliams
Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
14
Nichole Galicia

Nichole Galicia wraps her curves in a lace, backless gown at the 30th Anniversary of Operation Smile. How would you rate this look?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Everett Collection/Rex USA
15
Melanie Fiona

Melanie maxes out her look in a draped skirt and cropped bustier Fiona at  S.O.B.’s Unplugged session. Do you give her boho style a thumbs up?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Johnny Nunez/WireImage
16
Leona Lewis

Lewis takes center stage in an eye-catching red coat dress at City Hall in Sheffield, England. Is it glam or gone too far?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Andrew Benge/Redferns via Getty Image
17
Christina Millian

This Miami mama dons a Izmaylova mesh onesie and matching lips on the set of The Voice in Los Angeles. Fab or drab?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
18
Kerry Washington

Scandal might be on hiatus, but we’re still keeping our haute eyes on Kerry Washington. Did she do this Marc by Marc Jacobs’ long sleeve leather dress justice?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
19
Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams opts for monochromatic fashion in a shift and stilettos that make the perfect matching pair. Fab or drab?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
20
Zoe Saldana

This fashionista is all smiles in a scarlet printed DVF wrap dress. Did the actress live up to her stylish reputation in this Late Night With Jimmy Fallon number?

Fab or Drab?: Red Alert
Theo Wargo/Getty Images