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.

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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!