The Reds launched their new playing strip recently (modelled by forwards Daniel Braid and Sean Hardman), ditching the traditional navy blue shorts for an all-red outfit.

Gone also is the maroon-coloured jersey of the past, with the jumper now less the Queensland of old and more in the shade of Manchester United. Perhaps that's the idea.

"It's something different - red on red," said Queensland captain James Horwill as he modelled the new strip. "I think the marketing department decided to go with the whole red thing. We'll just have to wait and see how the fans take it but I think it looks pretty good. It's exciting - whenever you get a new jersey, it makes you want to get out there."

As for a fashion statement, the feedback was only slightly less enthusiastic. Fashion expert Joshua Scacheri, owner and designer of the label Subfusco, said the new uniforms weren't what he would have designed but rated them seven out 10 for aesthetic appeal.

"I would have broken up the colours with the shorts, maybe sticking with the navy or opting for a black," Mr Scacheri said. "It's fairly fashionable for a uniform, though, in terms of the cut."

In addition to his high-fashion collections, the designer has created uniforms for swanky Brisbane venues Cloudland and the Press Club, and said it was hard to marry creativity with practicality and the demands of each client. He said the all-red kit could have a lot to do with making the uniforms more visible on the field or a better canvas for sponsorship logos.

"And the colour is good for the team, too," Mr Scacheri said. "The bright red is associated with fast Ferraris and speed, and it's also very strong. It's also considered a very lucky colour in the Chinese culture, so perhaps they're trying to draw that in as well."

The Reds' away strip is similar to the previous one, retaining the combination of navy shorts with a predominantly white jersey.