April 4, 2016

How to wear pink (and not look like a little girl in the process!)



"Pink it's the color of passion,

‘Cause today it just goes with the fashion."

Lyrics from the 1997 song Pink by Aerosmith



Pink, few colours evoke such strong feelings as this seemingly gentle hue. It is my experience that most folks, particularly women, have strong opinions one way or the other when it comes to pink, in no small part due to the fact that for over a hundred years now, it has been typically seen as gender defining hue that equates to femininity.

While this is a plus for pink in my books, I fully understand that such associations or stereotypical views may be deterrents for some people. Fascinatingly, pink hasn't always been seen as so defining-ly feminine a colour. Far from it in fact, as pieces such as this article from The Atlantic and this post from The Smithsonian highlight in detail.




{The notion of pink as a predominately feminine colour is a relatively new concept. In decades and centuries past, it was quite common in some cultures to dress baby boys in pink and girls in blue. Thankfully progressively minded folks today are doing away with the antiquated notion of colours being gender specific, which opens up the sartorial playing field up all the more for everyone.}


Though women have indeed worn pink for many centuries now, prior to the early decades of the twentieth century, it was was not uncommon for chaps to sport pink in various quantities as well. The last century saw moments when pink gained ground once more in the menswear department (chiefly the 1980s) and in even more recent years, we've been witnessing a larger array of pink for guys as well, but at present it still remains more predominately associated with the female gender than with that of the male.

Beyond such ties, in the world of colour theory, pink is viewed as being tied to romance, love, sweetness, childhood and innocence, creativity, hope, sensitivity, newness, beauty, allure, and charm, in particular. We typically associate it with youth, weddings, candy, springtime, flowers, healing, and passion, and most of us own at least a few pink items, if not a plethora of them.

Due to the fact that pink is so strongly correlated with babies and early adolescence, some people begin to shy away from it as they get older, gradually weeding pink out of their wardrobes or reserving it almost exclusively for lingerie and perhaps the occasional piece of jewelry or accessory.




{These three 1940s teenage fashions are superb on especially young ladies, but can become harder to sport successfully as you get older, yet one certainly does not have to give up wearing pink once prom is over. In today's post we'll jump head first in scores of different ways to successfully look great in pink at any age!}


I fully understand that for an array of reasons, pink is not everyone's favourite colour and that it has something of a maligned reputation, but I also come from the point of view that we should not close ourselves off to the possibility of wearing at least a shade or two of any colour, if so desired.

I've long thought part of the issue (with pink) may lie in the fact that it can be challenging at times to style in a context that doesn't look overtly saccharine or like one is trying to hold onto the bloom of youth far decades past that point.

For those of us in the vintage fashion world, it was the end of the decades that many of us hold most near and dear (the 1920s - early 1960s) that also sounded a deathblow of sorts for pink. In the political and civil rights charged era of the 1960s and 1970s, as society underwent some truly monumental changes and traditional gender rolls were being turned on their heads, many women intentionally eschewed pink and opted instead for what they perceived as stronger, more assertive and/or gender neutral hues.

In the feel good decade of the 1980s, pink broke out of hiding again (not that it had ever entirely disappeared from the fashion world, but in general - particularly when it came to softer shades - pink was not overly in demand during the 1960s or 1970s), and soared to new heights of popularity with both women and men.



{Just about every conceivable shade of pink was seen in the 1980s, but few enjoyed as much time in the spotlight as pastel pink, which was welcomed into the closets of millions of women and men (*cue Miami Vice intro song* :D) alike the world over.}


When I close my eyes and think back not only to the fashions that I was dressed as a child in that decade, but also to those that most of the women (relatives, teachers, friends' moms, etc) were wearing, pink was by far one of the most common. In iterations spanning the most subtle of whispers to bold, flamboyant shades of fuschia, pink was everywhere in the 1980s. Not only in people's closets, but also in home decor, children's toys, art, packaging, advertisements, and even movies (Pretty in Pink, anyone?).

As 1980s gave way to the last decade of the 20th century, pink continued to remain popular (especially bright and neon shades), but as time went on, it lost some of its steam and has, one might argue, not yet seen such peaks of popularity again since.

That isn't to say that pink doesn't get its fair share of love these days, because it certainly does (and it has remained extremely popular for little girls clothing, decor, and toys for decades now), but I wouldn't say that one of the absolute most frequently sported colours so far this decade.

For those in the vintage fashion world, pink is a natural choice to my mind. It was relatively common in the 1940s, hugely beloved in the 1950s, and sported into the early 60s as well (on a wide scale, I mean).

Fans of the 1920s and 30s will be happy to know that pink certainly had its moments in those decades as well, just as it had (very much so) in the 1900s and 1910s, so no matter what eras tickle your fancy the most, chances are their are stylish pink pieces to be found from it.



{Pink was everywhere in the 1950s! Not only was it a popular fashion choice, but it appeared prolifically in other areas of everyday life, too, including home both home decor (especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms) and the automotive industry.}


Pink itself is a milder form of the colour red, which comes about when this fiery hue is tempered by the addition of white. It can be as soft as a kitten's paw, as loud as Barbie's iconic Corvette, or as electric as hot pink guitar.

Those, like myself, with pink or peach undertones in their skin sometimes think that they can't wear pink, but chances are (as with almost any colour) there will be at least a couple of shades on the pink spectrum that will not only work for, but look sensational on, you.

People may ask themselves "What shade of pink looks best on me?" and while there are many factors that will contribute to such (including both hair and eye colouring), as a general guideline, those with extremely fair complexions often take kindly to dusty, mid-range rose family tones (as well as plums, burgundies and maroons, which are all in the same broad colour family as pink).

Light skin tones often work wonderfully with pale shades, as well as carnation and watermelon hues, whereas folks with beautiful olive undertones to their skin can shine in corals, salmons, and (sometimes) neon pinks. Darker skin tones are frequently amazing with very pale, very bright, and very dark pinks - including for many individuals, shades of fuschia.



{Whatever your personal colouring, chances are there's a pink out there for you. Play around, see how pink partners with other colours that you know work well for you, and don't shy away from including hits (or full on tidal waves) of this enchantingly lovely colour in your closet.}


Poll a random group of girls aged 12 and under and chances are, the vast majority of them will list pink as their favourite colour, Yet as touched on above, a passion for pink often wanes (rapidly) as time goes on and people reach adulthood.

For some people however, pink remains their favourite colour, or at least one that they have a strong preference for. Others dabble with pink only occasionally, perhaps for a wedding, Easter, Mother's Day, or baby shower ensemble.

Today I'm going to give you some handy guidelines when it comes to wearing pink - a colour that is arguably seen more often (in the northern hemisphere) throughout our current season of spring than during any other point in the year - and not looking painfully twee or like you're still in the third grade in the process.

Because it is a milder form of red, it's important to keep in mind that pink has many of the same stylish qualities of this vibrant shade, yet can, at times, be even more appropriate than red itself (case in point, many medical settings such as hospital rooms employee pink or peach, but red is almost never seen in the decor of such locations).

By the same token, pink generally pairs well with hues that compliment red, too, and naturally takes superbly to earthy tones such as green and brown, which is no surprise given the endless number of pink flowers in the world.



{Pink was wildly in fashion during the Rococo period, where it appeared in closets, home decor, art (such as this beautiful painting by Maurice Quentin de La Tour called The Marquise de Pompadour), food, and even carriages frequently over the course of multiple decades.}


Interestingly, it is believed that  the very word pink itself stems from a flower called pinks when belongs to the genus Dianthus. The use of pink to describe a colour in the English language dates to at least the 17th century, whereas it was the following century, the 1700s, that would see pink itself explode in popularity as a fashionable colour, especially amongst middle class and well-to-do women (and their home decor).

But, back to the mid-twentieth century where pink was a frequent wardrobe player - particularly for formal wear, the 1950s as a whole, jewelry and accessories.

Come with me as we delve into taking a look at some of the classically beautiful, and very stylish ways that pink can work for a vintage wardrobe at any stage in your life.


How to wear pink 
(and not look like a little girl in the process!)




If you're in the mood to sport a solid hit of near head-to-toe pink at the same time, but don't want to look seven years old in the process, opting for extremely well tailored, sophisticated pieces in your favourite shade of pink - such as the gorgeous pale apricot-esque hue seen in this wonderful short sleeve jacket and matching dress set from 1949 - are a superb way to do just that.

To further cut down on the potential cloying-ness factor, take another cute from this vintage image and wear one or two very elegant pieces of stunning, grownup looking jewelry.



Let pink be one of many solid colours that you combine in the same outfit. In this late 1940s springtime perfect look, a light dusty pink hued sleeveless blouse combines with a salt and pepper grey skirt, wide brimmed white hat, black belt and shoes, pearl jewelry, and a golden yellow scarf (or hankie) for an out that is mature, versatile, and very pretty.



Pick one amazing standalone pink accessory and partner it with a solid coloured garment/ensemble. In this utterly breathtaking 1948 look from none other than Dior himself, a dramatic pink flamingo feather cartwheel style hat combines with a ravishing, full skirted black dress for a look that will turn heads until the end of time.



Do top-to-bottom pink, but opt for a darker shade like this eye-catching cerise hue. With matching gloves and simple, timeless jewelry, this look is a million miles away from the days of pigtails and schoolbooks, and would be an excellent outfit to sport to a cocktail party, dinner date, family get-together, or (in some professional fields) even a board meeting (and check out Dita's vintage appropriate take on this same concept here).




A classic colour for this knits, pink goes down a treat as part of an iconic 1950s sweater set, which is refined even more when paired with crisp snow white in the form of a skirt, hat, and pearl jewelry. The dark pumps (court shoes) ground the whole look and help keep mom from being mistaken for one her daughters in this beautiful mid-century ad.




This delightful 1940s warm weather look has a lot of pink going on, but still looks more chic than candy-ish thanks to dark pattern and belt used on the dress (ditto for the complimentary handbag), which helps to visually breakup the otherwise solid coloured sea of cherry blossom.




Use pink to stay roasty-toasty in the form of a classically tailored coat or jacket, then (optionally) bypass it elsewhere in your outfit. Pink suits winter surprisingly well and looks fantastic as a topper for many different types of mid-century ensembles.




Don a medium coloured solid pink dress in a timeless design, such as the wrap shape here, and team it with single or double coloured accessories such as the red hat and purse, plus black and white spectator pumps, shown here on this 1940s sewing pattern catalog cover.




Take Lana Turner's 1950s lead and wear a barely-there shade of pink in alluring cut (extra bonus points if you can find a matching parasol like her's) that telegraphs grownup sex kitten, not cute Hello Kitty sticker. :)




Pink plays surprisingly nicely with a large number of colours, including - but not limited to - turquoise, plum, red, green, brown, purple, sky blue, grey, aqua, camel, burgundy, white, gold, silver, navy blue, and eggplant - so it never hurts to have a pair or two of pink gloves on hand (literally!). You can make them the sole pink point in an outfit or just as easily match them to other flower hued pieces in your look.




The textured design of this classic cable knit sweater help to add visual interest and elegance to a dusty pink hued sweater, which is further enhanced when teamed with a medium grey skirt and matching grey accessories. This would be a fabulous look for early fall straight on 'til the warmest days of spring.




Pink does not have to be just for sweaters, dresses and skirts! Here a dark carnation hued blouse is paired with a slightly lighter coloured belt as part of a mid-century western wear look that is worth exclaiming "Yahoo" over any day!




Pink and brown is one of my favourite colour combinations of all time. It marries sweet with sophisticated, flatters a wide range of skin tones, and has the added bonus of working splendidly for both spring and fall time (note the creamy beige coloured accessories used here, which compliment this colour pairing marvelously!).




Borrow a page from the style book of these glamorous c. late 1930 ladies and wear pink very sparingly, such as the piping or ruffles of their frocks or as a beautiful little tilt hat (swoon!).




Bring the palest shades of pink together with natural coloured furs (real or faux, as you prefer) for a look that is straight up old school glamour to the nth degree!




Pink and olive green/khaki are downright stunning together. They channel a sense of nature, team splendidly with similar shades from the great outdoors, such as gold and brown, and are an unexpected way to get extra millage out of the pieces in both colours that you may already have in your closet.




Ground a girly shade of pink with scads of black for a look that is polished, poised and off-the-chats posh!!!




Colour block it! Take the cutesy factor out of pink in a snap when you reach for a colour blocked garment, particularly one that has a dark hue like black or navy blue in it, as this chic 1940s example stylishly shows.




Pair an all-pink garment with a printed one that also includes pink - plus solid coloured accessories - for a look that is instantly elegant, very nicely coordinated, and fantastic for evenings out.




Pink and navy blue are a match made in colour heaven. Each brings out the best in one another, they suit spring and summer awesomely, and are completely workwear appropriate to boot.




Team two (or three) shades of pink in the same tonal range together (matching pink lipstick optional), add in luxurious jewelry, and finish with a sculptured hairstyle for a look that says feminine and fabulously stylish in the same go.




Highlight a stellar mid-century dress like this silvery grey gem with small, yet dramatic, hits of peachy-pink, such a classic chapeau and/or oversized millinery flower brooch/corsage. Gorgeous!




Let a lovely shade of pink radiant warmth out from under a palette that is otherwise comprised of earthy neutrals and intriguing textures like the nubby fabrics used here in this classy Vogue look from 1961.




Few colours partner as excellently with pink as black, which helps to temper the inherently innocent quality of this gentle hue. Together the two need no further colours (unless so inclined) to look breathtaking and whatever the proportions of each, never fail to look incredible!




Go sheer! In dress or blouse form, pink is decidedly grownup when rendered in sheer fabrics like lace, chiffon, and tulle - not to mention ideal for the dog days of summer!




Embrace pink as a part of a multi-coloured pattern like the one shown here in this fabulous 1950s harlequin print shirtwaist dress. The addition of pink accessories like the handbag and belt is a great touch, but you could just as easily use red, green ones in this particular instance, too.




Counterbalance the natural sweetness of pink clothing and accessories with vibrant red lipstick and nail polish. The pairing is nothing short of enchanting and has the added bonus of working terrifically for Valentine's Day.




Take pink to the beach! Be it as a one-piece, two-piece, playsuit, pair of sandals, sheer headscarf, or tote bag, pink looks fantastic (and often very alluring!) in the summer sun, where it calls to mind everything from seashells to coral to mermaids.




Floral patterns that include pink have been a common sight for ages and are often absolutely beautiful, but for a fun change of pace, look for flowers placed atop a solid pink background. The look can be especially sophisticated and also gives you a great palette (in the floral print) to pull from for your accessory choices.




Marry pink with lush shades of elegant plumb, burgundy, purple or garnet for a tonal range that sings with beauty and instant colour coordination superpowers (it's also a personal favourite of mine - case in point, our wedding colours were pink and burgundy).




Opt for structured separates or a suit and blouse in the unexpected (nowadays) pairing of white or cream and a shade that look like it was plucked straight from a pink hydrangea. Together they create a look that has summertime vintage glamour straight in the bag.




Use pink only for the belt, sash or waistband as part of a vivacious multi-coloured outfit like this fabulous-for-spring riot of colour from the late 1950s/early 60s.




Steer towards red with shades that of pink that are very nearly there, but still slightly softer than full on ruby, tomato, or fire engine. In structured pieces like these 1950s beauties, such hues will sing with style and pizzazz!




Seek out mid-century (or vintage reproduction) novelty print garments that include hits of pink and then turn to some of the other hues in the pattern to help build the rest of your outfit around (or if you're in the mood, partner with a pink blouse/sweater on top).




Let a fitted pink knit dress (or two-piece set) hug your curves and play up your fabulous, womanly shape. Combined with a lovely patterened scarf that includes pink as well, this is a surefire way to sport the colour and look positively glam in the process!





And let us not forget, too, that pink can easily be worn as part of your mid-century vintage makeup look as well. While we often think of red shades first and foremost for the 1940s and 50s, pink was an industry favourite back in the day, too, and was easy to find in lipstick, nail polish, blush/rogue, and even eye shadow form.

I wear pink lipstick frequently (my favourites are Party Line from MAC and Raspberry Glace from Clinique), whisper soft pink eye shadow (paired with a pale cream, white or taupe shadow), pinky-rose hued blush, and various shades of pink nail polish all on a very regular basis.




If you like pink, but aren't necessarily wild about sporting it in large garment sized doses, vintage appropriate pink makeup, jewelry and/or accessories - very much including shoes (plus items like purses, hats, handbags, scarves, belts, snoods and other hair accessories, shawls, and gloves) may just be the way to go.





And speaking of jewelry, I can tell you that pink pieces - especially those with rhinestones and/or flower themes - are amongst the best sellers in my Etsy shop.

Be it a 1930s celluloid brooch, pair of 1940s rhinestone earrings, or a 1950s thermoset demi-parure, pink mid-century jewelry remains immensely popular and is another easy, often highly affordable way to weave some (more) rose worthy colour into your vintage wardrobe.


♥ ♥ ♥



In general when it comes to pink, the more tailored and mature the cut of a garment, shape of an accessory, or shade of a cosmetic, the greater the likelihood you'll look like the ravishingly lovely adult you are in this beautiful colour.

One further trick to "de-sweeten" pink (which, I should point out, obviously not everyone wants to do and if, like myself, you adore the girly-girl side of pink, then by all means, embrace it!) is to wear it the context of a menswear inspired outfit. Say, wide legged trousers and a 1930s or 40s fedora hat, under a trench coat, or with a fitted vest. Given how nicely pink plays with brown, black, navy and grey, this sort of outfit can be downright head-turning!

Pink has been my favourite colour for as far back as I can remember and I'd be shocked if it doesn't remain as much for the rest of my life. It's sweet, feminine, playful, inviting, cheerful, and, quite often, cute as a button.

It also me happiness and has a tendency to impart it in those who see me wearing it as well (I've been told as much numerous times over the years). I love that pink can be as a gentle as a kitten's paw or as a brazen as a 1980s pop rock group!

I fully understand that as an adult you might not want to don head-to-toe pink at this stage in your life and that's totally okay. I sincerely hope at the same time though, that the ideas and vintage images put forth in today's post will help inspire you when it comes to the wearing of pink, however frequently (or infrequently) that might be.

After all, as Aerosmith so accurately sang, pink is the colour of passion, and that's something - as viewed through the lens of an endearing love for fashion - that all of us vintage wearing folks can get behind!

76 comments:

  1. Loads of amazing advice here Jessica - and so timely for someone who has spent most of this year rediscovering pink! I've added lots of pink pieces to my collection in the last few months and I can't wait to explore ways to wear it all; I love all your tips for colour pairings :) One of my favourites lately has been red with pink - so romantic. This must have taken you ages to write, but it's such a great article that I'm sure people will be reading it for years to come xx

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    1. That is such a thoughtful comment, sweet CiCi. Thank you very much! It did take a while for sure, but I truly enjoyed every moment. I adore discussing the roll of colour in fashion and have been itching to pen this entry for ages. The return of spring, pastels and garden hues seemed like the perfect time.

      It's terrific that you've been getting into pink more again in the last year. It looks downright breathtaking on you!

      Big hugs & happy wishes for the new week,
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. So much loveliness in these pictures. I don't wear too much pink really but must try and incorporate it into my wardrobe. Pink and grey are just classic but I never would have paired it with olive green until you proved how scrummy they are together. I love the cable knit sweater combo and that gorgeous novelty print skirt the best. How I wish more shops made clothes like these. Just gorgeous, a real feast for the eyes and definitely something for me to think about. Thank you dearest Jessica, loved this post. Many pink hued hugs xx

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Emily. This was such a fun, exciting piece to put together - searching for all of the vintage images needed alone was a complete blast! :)

      Aren't olive green and pink sensational together? I just picked up a vintage olive green skirt last fall (while in Vancouver). It hasn't debuted here yet and now I thinking that perhaps I'll do so with pink (either way, it will land here at some point :)).

      I hope that all is well on your end as we kick off the new week. We had gorgeous weather this weekend for my mom's birthday on Saturday and then again on Sunday, but in true spring fashion, woke up to scads of rain and much cooler temps today. It's all good though, because the tree in our neighbour's front yard has its first blooms of the season and that means spring is really, truly here at long last (yay!).

      Many hugs coming your way across the miles,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. Ive always thought that pink was one of the most universally flattering colors. While Im not a fan of head to toe pink, or indeed any color, I think ascents are lovely. Great post and great ideas for wearing pink

    retro rover

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    1. I really agree with you there, dear Kate. There's is a shade of pink to be had for nearly everyone out there - chaps very much included (Tony loves pink actually and I don't think he's been without at least one pink dress shirt in all the years I've known him).

      Thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment. Have a beautiful week!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  4. Thanks for going through this. I can tend to avoid pink and extremely frilly styles. Don't get me wrong, I love being feminine. I do like pink, and I do own pink clothes, but I generally don't go all out pink. I really love the first dress you shared with the short sleeve jacket. It is feminine, yet sophisticated and classy. I also liked the grey dress that uses pink just as an accent with the hat and the flower.

    Sarah
    sewcharacteristicallyyou.weebly.com

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    1. Hi sweet Sarah, I get that for sure, The older I get, the more I veer away from head-to-toe pink as well, even with it being my all-time favourite colour. Small does, pink in prints, and darker shades for larger doses have become my go-to styling approaches with pink in recent years.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. The song is great, your article is superb and pink is awesome! I like the fact that it is your favorite color and I love it too, though not as a favorite color, but enormously liked :) I wore a lot of pink in February and March and I think it is lovely with other colors like olive green, as you said, too! I don't think I looked like a little girl, but I can understand if people want a more "adult" look. I read the article, about Franklin Roosevelt and pink, and that being for boys. Amazing, I had no idea, very nice to learn! Hope you are fine, dear Jessica!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet Denise. I tend to wear a lot of pink in February, too, especially during the first half of the month as the days melt into Valentine's.

      Isn't it marvelous with olive green? I purchased a vintage olive green skirt last fall and am sure I'll pair it with pink often (so far it's been hanging out with a lot of mustard yellow, as well as brown).

      Many hugs & thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Fabulous post! Aren't these mid century fashions stunning? I love all of them. The pinks, baby blues and turquoise of the 1950s-60s are top of my list for almost everything vintage. Thank you Jessica for this excellent read!

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    1. They truly are! I've spent countless hours looking at, and studying them, over the years and know that my passion for mid-century styles will never wane. Even if for some unthinkable reason I couldn't wear looks from this era any more, I'd still appreciate seeing and learning about them as much as ever.

      Big hugs & joyful springtime wishes, sweet lady!
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Oh, that Harlequin shirt dress - I don't wear much pink because of my red hair (I'll wear it, but not next to my hair) but I'd make an exception for that dress. You've got some great tips in that article, though - I love chic and sleek styles in any colour.

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    1. Isn't it incredible? I have shocking little harlequin print in my wardrobe. That's an area I'd really like to grow more as time goes on.

      Thank you very much for your lovely comment. I hope that April is off to a great start for you!

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  8. I love pink! And I think older women tend to shy away from it because they feel it's a color for young girls. But I think it can work for anyone at any age. There are so many shades to choose from. It was Mamie Eisenhower's favorite color and she was in her 50s when she wore a pink gown and gloves to her husband's inauguration and she looked fabulous in it! My personal favorite color to wear with pink is navy blue.

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    1. Excellent example of how pink can, and does, work at any age, dear Theresa. I would be so tempted to wear pink to an inauguration, too (not, objectively, that I'm ever going to be a part of one, but if I was... :)).

      Thank you for your terrific comment, my fellow navy blue + pink fan.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Absolutely wonderful post! I am always intrigued by pink and I know I do shy away from it. I already look young for my age and pink is a color that does make me feel/look younger. That being said I pretty much only wear pink or rose colored lipstick and blushes and the image of the pink and olive green is just splendid!

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    1. Isn't it though? The earthy, garden meets glam quality of that pairing never fails to sweep me off my feet.

      I get that for sure. Perhaps not as much these days (though I'll leave that for others to judge), but I've always looked a bit younger than I am, too - especially since I'm fairly short (barely 5'2") and also have a somewhat child-like voice. Pink makeup is a great way to bring some of this beautiful colour into your outfits and is certainly grownup to boot.

      Many hugs & happy April wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. I love pink and like to see adults wearing it. You're right that its association with youth makes many women avoid it. But that's a shame: as you amply illustrate, it can be a beautiful tool in our fashion toolkit.

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    1. It truly can, Ally, well said. Plus, in this modern day sea of "yoga black" garments as far as the eye can see, pink feels all the more fresh and sweet in nearly any wardrobe context.

      Have a terrific week!
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. I love this post! There is so much inspiration to be found in these images! I love the colour pink, but this past Valentine's Day, when I decided to dress in seasonally appropriate colours for the day, I discovered that I own only one garment that is predominantly pink :( I decided that that has to change, and the so the last time I was at the fabric store I picked up some dusty rose twill to make a skirt. This post is perfect inspiration for some new garments. Well done!
    www.theartyologist.com

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet dear. I hear you there. Pink is a definitely "go to" Valentine's Day colour for me as well, particularly dusty rose (which I love to partner with burgundy). I hope that you're able to find several delightful new pink garments and accessories to add your wardrobe. I have a fair number of pink hued vintage bangle bracelets and find that they're one of the easiest ways to inject some pink into any look (hair flowers are another).

      Big hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. What an interesting history of the color pink! I don't wear much pink now, but I wore a lot of pink when I was growing up :)

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    1. You know, I suspect that such is true for many women these days. Are there any shades of pink that your currently feel drawn towards?

      Thank you for your lovely comment. Have a terrific day!
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. As much as I adore the color pink, I own almost no pink clothes! I don't really know why, I just tend to stray away from wearing that color. Maybe deep down I feel like it is a little to girly. But seeing all these vintage photos of that lovely shade of light powdery pink may have awakened something in me... I just love how it looks in those vintage styles! Maybe I will be adding some pink items to my wardrobe soon. :)

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    1. I get that for sure. The older I get (I'm three months shy of 32 at this point), the more I give pause to my pink wardrobe choices. I do fully believe in wearing whatever one's heart desires, but I don't want to look like I'm trying to hold onto my fleeting youth for one second, so I tend to wear pink more strategically these days (though, that said, I do have a couple of mostly pink repro dresses that I love to bits and will probably rock for as long as they last! :)).

      Big hugs & many thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. I loathed pink for so long when I was younger, and have now fully embraced it (right down to my pinky-purple hair)! I love looking at all these gorgeous outfits and colour combinations (I'm a big fan of pink and chartreuse). Thank you for this lovely post!

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    1. Pink looks so awesome on you Shelia - both in terms of hair and fashions. It's fantastic that you've developed a deeper love for this colour. Are there any shades in particular that you just can't get enough of?

      Many hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. What a great post, pink is one of my favorite colours, along with red! I actually own quite a number of pinks in my wardrobe! I just feel it's such a cheerful yet feminine colour! :)

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    1. It truly does, I completely agree. No other colour, to my mind, is quite as sweet and cheerful as pink (nor feminine). There are others, like mint green, peach and aqua that come close, but for me, pink takes the (rose hued frosting covered) cake for me there, too.

      Big hugs, my fellow pink adoring vintage fashionista,
      ♥ Jessica

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  16. Great overview all around! I think pink can be so amazing, especially pops of it, and not juvenile so thanks for tackling this! XO
    Lauren-Blair
    www.prefertobedemure.com

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    1. Thank you very much, lovely Lauren. It was a pleasure to do so! I can talk about the roll of colour in one's wardrobe 'til the cows come home, so posts like this, even though they day days to write and put together, are such a fun, rewarding experience for me.

      Sending oodles of hugs your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. I was an anti-pink girl in my teen years but came around to it later! I'm definitely still learning my favourite shades, but dusky pink and darker pinks are my favourites at the moment. Thank you for the detailed post full of amazing ideas! I don't know if they would all work for my colouring, but I am excited to try some of these options!

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    1. That's wonderful to hear! It's rare that all shades of a given colour work on a person (I can't even think of an example where such would ring true for me personally - red would be close, but some orangey reds can give my skin a sallow tone, so even there I don't wear all of forms of that colour), but luckily we almost all have at least one or two (of each colour) that look like a million bucks on us. I think that dusty pinks are amongst the most universally flattering and can just picture how gorgeous they'd look on you, my dear friend.

      Many hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  18. This is such a great article to bookmark and return to as needed. Wonderful images, so much inspiration in one place! I have come back around to pink, I currently have a pale pink Spring coat which I tend to wear with black and white. And hot pink pops up a few times in my wardrobe! Pink is incredibly flattering on older skin, I hope more people discover it as they age. Maybe we'll become pink ladies! Xx

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet lady. The images here really are a delight, I agree. I had such a blast scouring the web to find them all. They've inspired me to up my own pink game this spring, too. Your coat sounds fantastic! I've wanted a pink topper for ages now and may very well invest in a repro version one of these winters.

      Same here! That is so true, yet not seen nearly as often these days. I have many memories of middle aged and elderly ladies in my life rocking pink back in the 80s and early 90s (very much including my paternal grandma), but I don't see nearly as many doing so these days.

      Tons of hugs & happy start of April wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  19. What a lovely post, Jessica. I do not shy away from pink at all, although very pale pink does not do anything for me, so I usually avoid that. Which reminds me: I have a pink spring coat, which I should start wearing ... xxx

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    1. Lucky you! I've wanted a pink coat for ages now. I bet yours is beautiful and looks as much on you, too.

      Thank you very much for your great comment, sweet lady. I hope that this month is off to a positive start for you.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  20. i wish i could shop that post!!!
    you found such beautiful examples to illustrate your musings about pink and the fabulous tips and tricks!
    someone who sees pink only for little girls and some silly women lacks fantasy in my eyes. thank you for that well written text about the very gorgeous and very versatile color!!!
    and - right now i sit im my sunny garden with a barbie pink top! :-)
    big hugs to you! and lots of pink blossoms too! <3
    xxxxxxx

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    1. Ooohh, wouldn't that be incredible? Thank you very much for your terrific comment and wise insight. I tend to agree and wish that far more people still embraced pink in their adult years. It's flattering, fun, and feminine - what's not to adore?

      Big hugs & joyful April wishes to you,
      ♥ Jessica

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  21. Pink!

    As you my all-time favourite colour.

    I love pink and although I did not wear it as a child (my mother does not like it) I began to wear it as a teenager when I began to choose the clothes I wanted. I asked her to sew few dresses with pink flowers and one of them completely pink when I was a between 12 and 18.
    I still have my pink dress that my mother made for me when I was 17 and I still wear it in summer time. It is a quite loose dress and not tight. I wanted it that way because I used to cycle everywhere and a tight dress was uncomfortable. I love it!
    Pink can be easily found in my wardrobe, almost all my clothes have accents of, or are pink. I could give it the title of "50 Shades of Pink" ;-)
    In Spain pink is not a colour for adults per se although some shops (I do not name any) make some returns of it from time to time.
    When I moved to Dublin, Ireland, I was delighted to discover there were so many clothes in pink. Needless to say I took the opportunity to fill my wardrobe with clothes in my favourite colour. Due to budget restrictions the clothes I bought were from the Sales :-)
    I also have darker clothes, few black clothes for work and that's it.
    Don't mistake me. I also love red, blue, yellow, orange, green, etc. but I always tend to go for pastel tones.
    I wear pink every day.
    For example, when I'm not wearing any pink garment/clothes I wear pink in my lipstick.
    Pink can be matched, as you show in this beautiful post, with almost any other colour.

    As Laurence, from the blog Lost in the 50's says in her last post:

    http://lostin1950.blogspot.co.uk/

    "I love pink so much... but don't wear brown often..."
    She is referring to her last outfit pink and brown combination.

    Sometimes it is much better to wear accents of pink that to wear head to toe pink.
    For example shoes, bags, scarfs, etc.

    When it comes to home decoration I am pretty Victorian and do not have pink household items. Red tends to go in the kitchen and green and yellow in the bedrooms.
    In fact, I would love to have an old Victorian House. My other passion is Victoria Fashion. That's the good think of being eclectic :-)

    Have a wonderful week and thanks very much for this lovely post!

    Eva (from Luxembourg/Germany)

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    1. Hi sweet Eva, what a fabulous and very detailed comment. I really appreciate that you were keen to share so much about your passion for the colour pink an how it has played a roll in your life and wardrobe alike.

      I too had an easy time finding pink garments when I lived in Ireland and one remember one floral print skirt (I don't have it any longer) with particular fondness.

      It's awesome that you were pink on a such a frequent basis. I sport it often, too, and always find its a mood enhancing colour that seems to make both me and others around me happier. Way to go rocking it everyday. That's downright inspiring!

      That line in Laurence's recent post stood out for me, too. Brown and pink are sublime together, as she elegantly demonstrates, and pink in general looks amazing on her, so I really hope she continues to wear it more often.

      Three big cheers for being eclectic (I am as well, majorly), my fellow pink fan. I hope that this spring finds you well and able to add even more of this pretty hue to your wardrobe.

      Tons of hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. I always think that black and pink look a bit dangerous. I like that ;)

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    1. They really do, I completely agree! There's a bit of a femme fatale vibe to that combination that I just adore.

      Thank you very much for your great comment. I hope you're having a sunny, wonderful week.

      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  23. A very exciting post, Jessica! Pretty in pink indeed, I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the vintage images here! Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. It is my sincere pleasure, sweet Linda. Thank you very much for your lovely comment. I had a blast putting this post together over the course of a few days and am happy to know that you enjoyed it so much.

      Many hugs & cheerful Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  24. I appreciate a nice shade of pink (though I fall into the category of people that just dabble in the color). One thing that I really love is how pink is becoming more of a common color for men to wear! :D It was fun seeing this post especially with the timing... I just got myself a new pink dress earlier this week! :D <3

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    1. That's really cool timing for sure! How exciting that you just added a new pink frock to your closest. The times that I've seen you wear pink before I always thought it looked beautiful on you and am sure this new dress will, too.

      It's awesome that more guys are embracing pink (again), I completely agree. Interestingly, Tony has always been a big fan and I don't think he's been without at least one pink (dress) shirt the whole time I've known him.

      Oodles of hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  25. Thank you so much for sharing these tips Jessica! I too have always loved the combination of pink and brown (it reminds me of chocolates for some reason). I must add, that novelty printed skirt ensemble is positively smashing! I should try my hand at making myself such a skirt one of these days.

    Cheers!

    Brigid

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    1. It is my sincere pleasure, Brigid. Thank you very much in turn for your lovely comment. Isn't that combination marvelous? I reminds me of chocolate, too, as well as ice cream (add in white/cream and you've got the palette of Neapolitan :)).

      Big hugs & joyful April wishes to you and your sisters,
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. Thank you for such a fabulous ode to the color pink! I really loved it until I hit 6 or 7, and I got a pair of pink glasses. Cue bratty girls in my class telling me how the pink clashed with my red hair, ruining the color for me until college. I've come around to embracing the color, although there's surprisingly little of it in my wardrobe. I love all of the inspirational photos that you posted of pink outfits, though, and I'm eager to try some of the combinations out myself!

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    1. It's been said before, but I'll certainly state it again - children can be so cruel with their teasing. I'm sorry that you were picked on for wearing pink glasses. That would have endeared you to me instantly if we'd known each other back then. Anyone who wore pink in my class was always in my good books, as I just lived in that colour when I was growing up.

      It's awesome that you've been able to reconnect with pink again in more recent years and I really look forward to seeing any outfits that you share with us that might be inspired by the pairings in this post.

      Big hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  27. I've always liked pink clothing, though I've never considered it to be my favorite color. I had no idea that pink was truly so versatile, though, nor did I know that much about the history of pink in fashion. This is why you have the fashion blog and I don't! :-P Great article, as always! :)

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    1. *Blush* You're so sweet, dear Grace. Thank you very much! Isn't the history behind colours fascinating? I don't doubt that given enough years of blogging, I'll cover that of all the main (red, orange, yellow, green, etc) ones here sooner or later, especially since it's a topic that I just adore chatting about.

      Sending scores of hugs your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  28. Thank you so much for this! I really struggle wearing pink. It has never been "my" color. It belongs to my twin sister! I have acquired a few pink things, but don't wear them as often as I should. Frequently, I find myself oohing and aahing over some pink thing, and have to remind myself that I don't wear pink that often. But I miss out on so much vintage this way! I will use some of your tips to try and become more comfortable in pink. Thank you!

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    1. You are truly welcome, sweet dear. I'm touched to know that you found this post so helpful and really do hope that it inspires you to weave more pink into your wardrobe. If you're a fan of hair flowers, that can be an easy, delightful place to start out on that front.

      Big hugs & happy Wednesday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  29. What a fabulously full post with so many images. The blue/black/pink color block dress is my favourite, I think. I'm another who doesn't do much pink anymore - I overdosed on it in my bedroom decor as a teenager. Maybe it is time to revisit it.

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    1. Thank you very much for your wonderfully lovely comment, sweet Rhiannon. Isn't that dress sublime? I just love how the panels of colour are vertical, instead of the more expected horizontal way we so often see colour blocking done.

      Many hugs & joyful April wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  30. Your posts just get better and better. You write so professionally now that you really should be writing for a major fashion magazine. This one is so gorgeous! You discuss the subject in much detail and lavishly illustrate it with magical images of pink from all fashion eras. I could wear tons of these, and love that pink car to bits. Pink is one shade or another is so flattering to women's skin, and men also look great in it. I love a man in a crisp pale pink cotton shirt. You know what legendary fashion visionary Diana Vreeland said about the colour? "Pink is the navy blue of India". They know! x

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    1. What a terrifically lovely and very touching compliment, sweet lady. Thank you very much - you made my day (which needed some making for sure) big time.

      That's a fabulous quote from a true style maven. Thank you for sharing it with us. I may just have to include it in a future post that involves pink again.

      Big hugs & the happiest of springtime wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  31. Great advice! I have no lack of pink items in my wardrobe and I'm going to enjoy using some of your tips to try styling them a bit differently.

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    1. That's awesome to hear, sweet gal. Penning this post has inspired me to weave even more pink into my outfits this year, too - very much including in combination with olive green.

      Tons of hugs & cheerful April wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  32. Pink is a favorite of mine! I appreciate your tips on making it age appropriate and what hues work well with different skin tones.

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  33. Love this post! I used to avoid pink like the plague when I was younger. I've grown to love it over the years. I especially love black and pink together and as you mentioned, pink and olive is a fantastic combination!

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  34. So much love for this post!!! I have quite a bit of pink in my wardrobe, and I tend to not wear it because I think of it as being too "girly" or too eighties on me.

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    1. Aww, thank you, honey. I hope that this post will help inspire you to sport pink more often. It really can be a powerfully chic, grownup colour and one with near endless styling potential (especially, I'd argue, in a vintage context).

      Have a beautiful Sunday,
      xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  35. Oooofff.... one of the best posts I've ever read!
    Pink is my favourite color! And I just love seeing those pics with pink dresses and stuff.. Omg.. heavenly <3
    No matter how old I get, I will never be ashamed of wearing pink or having a whole pink room. Never thought that was embarrasing. I am actually proud of it :D

    Sugarcandycandy.blogspot.com

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    1. Fantastic attitude and approach to this endlessly lovely colour. I'm with you there big time, my fellow pink fashion fan.

      Many hugs & thanks for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  36. There is so much eye candy in this post Jessica !
    I personally think that this is not just a women's color. In fact I bought my h a pink shirt just this weekend.
    I love the color and it use to be one of the predominant ones in my closet, along with beige and white. Nowadays, now that I think of it I don't own many pink garments...
    Oh and my fave combinations with pink are, as you mentioned: with grey, with blue and with green.

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    1. Gorgeous choices to pair with pink. I really, really like it with all of those as well. In recent years, I've been playing around with pink and autumn tones (pumpkin, mustard, olive, etc) more and have developed quite a fondness for those as well. They can be wildcard pairings for sure, but get the hues and proportions right and they positively sing together.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your terrific comment,
      ♥ Jessica

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  37. Ooh, picture 28, the lady in grey with the pink hat reminded me of me then Andy saw it and said she has a look of me too!

    I love pink, particularly the pink this country favoured back in the fifties, a chalky pink which fell in the paint category with the not so lovely name of distemper. My long ago kitchen was pink and I was sad to leave it behind.

    I also love to wear pink and have a jaw droppingly stunning cherry brandy pink velvet swing coat xx

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    1. Be still my vintage velvet loving heart, that sounds off-the-charts incredible. What a powerfully gorgeous garment to have in your wardrobe. I'm swooning at the mere thought of it! :)

      Many hugs, my fellow pink adoring lady!
      ♥ Jessica

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  38. I love that Emu knitting pattern, it isn't one I have come across before and I really love that jumper. I enjoyed reading this very much and you have chosen some fabulous images to illustrate your post with. I have quite a struggle with pink as I am very much against gender specific colours and that kind of makes me treat the colour as a bad thing rather than remembering that it is the societal view that all little girls must like pink which is the problem. At the moment I don't have anything pink in my wardrobe though I would consider darker pinks to pair with grey, brown and navy as I think they are lovely colour combinations. I have fairly recently discovered the joys of bright pink lipstick so maybe that is how the colour will feature in my outfits!

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    1. Thank you for your excellent comment and for sharing how you interact, in a fashion context, with pink at present, dear Kate. Lipstick is a splendid way to weave more of this colour into some of your your daily looks.

      Scores of hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  39. Just found your blog recently...love this post about pink...have revisited this page a bunch of times. :) I like pink and grey, pink and black, pink and navy and pink with a soft jade green. I really like that pic of the mother and her daughters in the pink twin set, white skirt and black heels. I am inspired to wear that combo myself. :)

    Thanks for the inspiration! You have a beautiful blog :)

    Dee

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    1. Hi Dee, thank you very much for your lovely comment. I'm delighted to know that you've been enjoying this post so thoroughly and that you've even revisited it on multiple occasions. That is a very touching thing for a blogger to hear.

      You can't go wrong with a classic twin set, and done up in pink, as here, the marriage of sweet and chic just ups the timeless beauty of this look all the more. I'm sure it would look marvelous on you, if you give it a spin yourself.

      Many thanks again & scores of happy summer wishes coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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