NYFW Street Style Proves Red Isn't Going Anywhere

This New York Fashion Week, brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Diane von Furstenberg, Cult Gaia, and Tory Burch aren't the only ones painting the town red. Outside the Spring 2027 runway shows, fashion insiders, editors, and celebrities have transformed the street style circuit into a sea of strawberry, crimson, and tomato.

It's tradition for a hue or two to emerge as New York Fashion Week's top color trend. Back in Sept. 2025, it was all about the burgundy. Last February, showgoers at Fall 2026 fêtes boarded the chocolate brown bandwagon. Now, whether guests are wearing head-to-toe tomato or splashes of scarlet, there are as many red pieces running rampant around NYFW as there are spectators.

The red color trend on the street style scene at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 — A guest matched their red sweater to their cap-toe Chanel ballet flats. (Image credit: Getty Images)

The red takeover tiptoed its way into Manhattan on the eve of NYFW, popping Elle Fanning's leather pencil skirt at Coach, Ella Hunt's uber-buttoned blazer, and embroidery on Cynthia Erivo's military jacket at Ralph Lauren. (At the same time, Rachel Comey introduced fire hydrant-tinted hosiery and Cult Gaia traded beige for red bralettes.)

Elle Fanning's celebrity look at the Coach New York Fashion Week show — Elle Fanning hid the color trend beneath her leopard-print Coach coat. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Cynthia Erivo wearing the red color trend at New York Fashion week 2026 — Only the cuffs and collar of Cynthia Erivo's Ralph Lauren were red. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Once the official Day 1 of spring 2027 runway showcases began, the pigment became the not-so-subtle superstar of pre- and post-show step-and-repeats. But which shade came out on top? The perennial color (endorsed by Alaïa, Balenciaga, Hermès, and more for Fall 2026) that remains as popular today as it was in 2023 is tomato red.

During NYFW last September, Katie Holmes paired a ripened Metier purse with matching high-vamp flats. Fast forward to the current calendar of events—which run from Sept. 10 to 15—and you can't walk a single block without shifting your attention to an unmissable shade of red on billowy blouses, steamed polo shirts, and wedding guest-worthy dresses.

That's not to say tomato is the only Fashion Week-worthy red. Before Tommy Hilfiger's spring runway show (which sprinkled the color onto rugby shirts, button-downs, boat totes, and even baseball caps), A-listers proved every tone of the color trend has daily dressing potential.

First up? Camila Cabello, who shade-matched the sweater draped over her shoulders to a knitted mini skirt. Soon after, Lana Condor tested the same Kendall Jenner-approved layering hack by wearing a strawberry cable-knit cardigan with a white T-shirt, a navy blue jacket, and wide-leg jeans. Peep the same eye-catching color on her manicure.

The red color trend on Camila Cabello's outfit at the Tommy Hilfiger New York Fashion Week show — Camila Cabello wore red to the Tommy Hilfiger show. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Once the first model graced the New York-based brand's catwalk, Gigi Hadid reminded spectators that red has always been her shade. (Her own knitwear label, Guest In Residence, is constantly adding tomato attire to its catalog—and therefore, the founder's regular rotation.) She opened the Tommy Hilfiger show in baggy bottoms that matched the brand's logo.

After all 69 looks walked the runway (most of which featured at least a sprinkle of red), an off-duty Hadid was photographed outside, wearing a vintage Tommy Hilfiger baseball tee in an almost identical dye.

On Sept. 11, when the NYFW spotlight switched to Michael Kors, the color trend took over the VIP-filled front row. So much so, it seemed like the revered New York designer made it his dress code. Everyone from Kathryn Newton and Ashe to Gabrielle Union and Lisa Rinna frosted themselves in the fresh-from-the-garden tint.

There's no doubt that Union and Rinna wore the most red, though. While the Bring It On actor stacked a tomato sweater-turned-shawl over an identical sweater dress, the reality star posed in a knee-length ruby look that was more feathers than actual fabric.

Gabrielle Union wearing the red color trend at Michael Kors New York Fashion week show — Gabrielle Union brought the color trend as her plus-one to Michael Kors. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, deeper shades of red offset the overwhelming majority of tomato attire.

If the red street style series is this ripe in September, it's bound to be a successful holiday season for the shade. Translation: Now's the time to test the compatibility between your personal color palette and garnet, strawberry, russet, and, of course, tomato. To DIY your nearest sidewalk into NYFW, shop the Marie Claire-approved red pieces below.