Red may be the default, but these colours bring just as much romance, confidence, and allure.
Red has earned its reputation as the signature colour for love for good reason. It dominates two of the year’s major holidays: Christmas and Valentine’s Day. When people think about love, they automatically go for red, and that’s not without reason. It symbolises passion, desire, allure and romance. Roses are red. Your heart is red. What more could you possibly need to associate the colour with love than it being the colour of your own heart? It’s everywhere, and for decades, it has defined our visual language for love.
However, when it comes to dressing for a Valentine’s or Galentine date, a special night out, or just wanting to feel a little more adventurous with your style, red can start to feel… predictable. If you’re looking to switch things up while keeping that romantic, sultry energy, consider exploring other colour options. I’ve put together alternatives that capture the same mood — and everything in between.
Pink — flirty, feminine, and endlessly versatile
Kicking off the list with pink. There’s pastel pink for the soft, dreamy vibes; baby pink for the even softer, extra sweet energy; the shade range is endless. Hot pink for the bold baddies; neon pink if you really want to turn heads; and carnation pink that has been slowly making its case. Pink gives off that perfectly flirtatious, coquette energy—which, in my humble opinion, is exactly what sultry and confident is all about.
Emerald green — show-stopping sophistication
When I was younger, I used to hate anything green. Growing up, I realised that was one of the biggest style mistakes I could have made. Emerald green, in particular, is a showstopper, especially on Black women. It’s the perfect colour for when you want to feel feminine, exude poise, and look effortlessly sophisticated, all while enhancing your skin tone. A nod to Olandria at the Golden Globes, her emerald green look had me hunting for similar outfits all week!
Read also: How to find your style in 2026 without following microtrends
Plum — deeply regal and alluring
Another colour that effortlessly exudes both charm and regality is deep purple. Unlike lighter hues like lilac, deep purple carries a weighty, elegant presence, making it perfect for a striking yet romantic look. This is why you often see it in velvet dresses or evening gowns. It feels luxurious, mysterious, and dramatic.
Chocolate brown — warm, indulgent, and grounded
Chocolate brown is a deep, warm, and indulgent shade of brown that feels rich and comforting, like melted dark chocolate. It carries an earthy elegance — grounded and intimate. With its deep, comforting tone, it balances elegance and sensuality in a way few colours can.
Midnight blue — quietly seductive and refined
Midnight blue is quietly seductive. It’s deep and very refined, giving off an intimate feeling just like the night sky just after sunset — cool. If black feels too expected but you still want something dark and magnetic, midnight blue might be the right alternative.
Black — the ultimate in sultry elegance
The epitome of sultry elegance: black. Safe to say, black is the ultimate tempting shade. What other colour can be moody, mysterious, elegant, bold, chic, edgy, sensual, and intimate all at once? Add a touch of lace, and you’ve got the most effortlessly seductive combination imaginable. Black with sheer panels, lace, or floral embroidery? That’s a wrap—the most lethal, show-stopping look you can pull off.
Choose your sexy
Allure doesn’t have to come in red. The right shade is the one that makes you feel confident, daring, and effortlessly alluring — whatever that looks like for you. Pick a shade that speaks to you, own it, and watch it do the flirting for you.
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