Wearing plain red colored clothes is permissible for men in one condition only
27-8-2015 | IslamWeb
Question:
Is it permissible for men to wear plain red colored clothes? Please, mention the evidence, if there is any.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Muslim scholars held different opinions regarding the ruling on wearing red colored clothes. These opinions were reported by Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar 
; as he said:
We have concluded that there are seven opinions for the righteous predecessors regarding wearing red colored clothes (by men). Some believed it to be unrestrictedly permissible while others believed it to be absolutely forbidden. A third opinion held that it is disliked for men to wear clothes with an intense red color unlike those whose red color is light. A fourth opinion suggests that it is disliked for men to wear red colored clothes in general if it is with the purpose of adornment and gaining fame, yet that it is permissible for them to wear such color at homes or at work places.
(This is the opinion chosen by Al-Haafith ). He said, after citing the seven opinions:
The correct and chosen opinion, in our view, is that if the rationale behind the prohibition of wearing red colored clothes (by men) is that it is specific to the disbelievers. Hence, its ruling is like that on using the red Mithyarah (saddle-cloths of non-Arabs made of Deebaj and silk). This means that it is impermissible for men to wear red colored clothes similar to those of the disbelievers as long as these clothes are specific to them. If the rationale behind the prohibition of wearing red colored clothes is that they are worn by women, it is because it is forbidden for men to imitate women. In this case, the prohibition is not concerned with the color red in itself, but is because of imitating women. If the reason behind the prohibition of wearing red colored clothes by men is its being a means of gaining fame and admiration or undermining manhood, it is forbidden to wear such clothes whenever these reasons occur; otherwise, the opinion of Imam Malik is more appropriate here. Malik's opinion suggests that the ruling on wearing plain red clothes at homes is not the same as on wearing them outdoors in gathering places (like mosque, markets, clubs, or the like). [Fat-h Al-Bari, 10378]
Hence, the preponderant opinion in this regard is that it is permissible for men to wear plain red colored clothes at home or at work places and not in outdoor gathering places. This is applicable if the following conditions are met:
-The clothes are not specific to the disbelievers,
-wearing them does not involve imitating women,
-they are not intended for gaining fame,
-they do not go against the common dressing manner of the country of residence.
Allaah Knows best.