That Va-Va-Voom.

I just realized that I have very little red in my wardrobe. Over the last few years, I’ve made a painstaking transition toward investing in staples in black, white, tan, stripe. (Yes, stripe is a neutral.) I say painstaking because, true to form, I’m something of a magpie when it comes to shopping, gravitating instantly towards bright colors, impractical fabrics, wear-only-once drama, etc. My wardrobe is increasingly reflecting wisdom and restraint — except for in the shoe department. I cannot resist impractical footwear. Hot pink? 5″ high? The shoe of the year? Impossible to keep clean nude suede? Breaks my ankles when I wear them? I can’t help myself. This year’s investment was this pair of bananas tie dyed Loubs. Loud, glossy, insanely high. Just the way I like them.

But this volume of attitude is not necessarily carried over in my more recent clothing investments. I’ve picked up some great blazers, a range of J. Brands in various colors and levels of distressing, and what feels like a million blouses. I live in blouses, which transition easily for me from my weekday “entrepreneur’s outfit” (blazer, statement necklace, blouse, jeans, loafers/flats) to more important speaking engagements and work-related events (blouse, statement necklace, skirt, heels) to weekend dates and dinners (blouse, distressed jeans, killer shoes, delicate gold jewelry).

And then Mr. Magpie gave me a fire engine red Canada Goose parka to weather the Chicago climate, and I suddenly thought: “Hm. Red. Noted.” It brought so much cheer to the grayness of an endless Chicago winter, and I was stopped dozens of times in stores and by the salt-of-the-earth kind women in Chicago, who would say: “I LOVE that you picked a color! Everyone else is in black! What a great choice.”

(Mr. Magpie – 1, Style Norms – 0.)

Since then, I’ve been eying red accents with increasing curiosity. Cases in point:

These three gorgeous lovelies are haunting my dreams: first, the It bag of the season, the Chloe Drew ($1,560); a Michael Kors silk dress ($325 — gorgeous for work; I own a red silk shirtdress that draws so many compliments every time I wear it. Not enough red in the workplace. It’s a power move.); and these fun Aquazzura sandals ($785).

A bold red lip is another great way to get a pop of the color without a big investment ($36):

Also love…these silky J. Crew camis ($50 — like the Tibi style but much more affordable); scalloped flats ($50 — like the Chloe style but much cheaper!); red stripe tee ($125); monogrammed canvas tote ($98); Lizzie Fortunato baubles and accents ($80-$255); red Supergas ($65); Essie Hip-anema nail polish ($8); and this cozy sleep romper ($88).