I work in
a somewhat conservative office environment (no jeans, shorts, capris, sleeveless tops, sandals, or open - toed shoes) where wearing red pants would probably be a stretch, but I would definitely wear that top with black pants and a red jacket or cardigan!
I think part of the reason is that professional women are expected to play two (
somewhat stereotypical) roles: (1) authoritative, serious,
conservative, and (kind of) masculine while at the
office; (2) feminine, fun, and flirty while out.