Staff Writer Marta Bueno Arcos takes us on a tour through the many palettes of pink and all their pastel pairings! Be it bold and bright or soft and subtle,pink is the perfect way to play with colour in your spring couture!
The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and Miley Cyrus just starred in the 20th Anniversary Special of Hannah Montana. So, of course, this spring we are dressing to match!
And there’s one springtime colour that’s easily the best: pink! Whether it’s bright pink, bubblegum pink, or even pink sequins à la 2000s, as Barbie said, pink goes with everything! A baby pink pairs perfectly with other pastels such as light blue and butter yellow. Pastel colours all have the same value (on a scale from dark to light), wearing them together is the perfect way to embrace Spring! For example, you can wear a pastel pink top, blue jeans, and a light yellow jacket… don’t forget a few accessories!
Another amazing trick to figure out colour combinations for pink is to look at the colour wheel… You can easily see a clear winning pair: pink and green! Pink is a lighter version of red, which sits opposite green on the colour wheel, so they are complimentary colours! You can use this pairing easily, with a sage or lime green top, white bottoms and soft pink accessories. Why not emulate the flowers this spring and wear this elite pairing! Pink is also a super fashionable combination with everyday neutrals. Pink and jeans are such a classic pair, and yes, pink and brown might sound a bit out there, but it really works! If you pair pink with brown and cream it builds an elite Neapolitan ice cream colour scheme. A blush pink top with brown trousers and a cream jacket is an easy way to wear this combination without it feeling overwhelming. If you want something bolder, wear pink with black or teal, it is the ultimate Y2K outfit.
“If you pair pink with brown and cream it builds an elite Neapolitan ice cream colour scheme.”
Honestly, the 2000s are the perfect inspo for styling pink! After all, this is the decade that Barbie movies dominated our televisions, and if there’s a queen of pink, it’s Barbie herself. But Y2K fashion wasn’t just about colour, it was also about texture and contrast. Think velvety tracksuits, sequins, and metallics used on bold shades like teal, fuchsia pink, and electric blue. A hot pink top with a teal mini skirt is such a playful pairing, while a baby pink hoodie with low-rise black jeans and a chunky belt instantly channels that 2000s nostalgia. But how can you wear something colourful without it looking like the colour is wearing you? If you have trouble creating colourful outfits, it’s always useful to follow the “three colour rule”, especially when working with bold shades of pink! It’s the idea that you should combine only three colours at once, and it’s super helpful when you experiment with colour. Accessories such as belts, bracelets and bandanas in the colours you use are essential, as they can make your outfit seem more elevated with very little effort.
Of course, there are no rules when it comes to fashion, only suggestions, so just have fun as you mix and match! After all, whether you’re leaning into soft pastels or bold Y2K contrasts, pink is the perfect way to bring a little more colour and confidence into your spring wardrobe. Because it doesn’t have to be Wednesday to wear pink!