How to Wear Pink in a Way to Suit You.

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If you’ve always been unsure of how to wear pink, or even if there is a pink that suits your skintone and colouring, this post is for you.

Pink can be especially tricky if your style isn’t ‘girly’ and pink is also a colour tricky to wear at the office – it can feel very ‘look at me!’

However, finding the right tone of pink and the right piece of clothing for your skin tone and style can help you pull off pink perfectly!

Check out my Pinterest Board for Inspo on How to Wear Pink!

Not Girly?

If you’re not girly but really love all the pink in the shops, you could opt for a statement piece such as:-

  • Pink tailoring
  • Blazer
  • Leather Jacket
  • Structured shirt
  • Handbag or shoes

Or you could ‘edge out’ your pink floaty dress with a black or grey leather biker, or a chunky knit if you feel too flirty or girly in bubblegum or baby pink.

FAIR HAIR AND FAIR SKIN

CELEBS: Rachel McAdams, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sophie Dahl, Michelle Williams, Gigi Hadid, Natalie Dormer, Cate Blanchett

If you’re in this camp, you will find softer, more natural shades of pink work for you – think seashells, sorbet and cupcakes.  Strong, dark colours can overwhelm your delicate skin and you can get lost in the colour, however if they are made from sheer fabrics, you can probably get away with a medium shade.

Marks and Spencer – Pink

If you have a really soft, feminine style you can go for soft, floaty fabrics and feminine shapes, however this can be problematic if your style doesn’t tend to be very girly.  If you have an edgier personality, try a shell coloured leather jacket or a silk t-shirt rather than a silk blouse.  It’s subtle differences like this that can make you love or hate wearing pink.

Where To Shop?

Great places to shop for these pinks on the UK high-street this season include Ted Baker, Helmut Lang, Whistles, Oasis, LK Bennett, Mint Velvet and Miss Selfridge, however if you are willing to spend the time shopping around, pink is EVERYWHERE!  I’ve just chosen my favourites where I would take clients to shop in this category.

TOP STYLE TIP:  If you are concerned about picking a pink that will suit you, you can always go for pink accessories, such as shoes or a handbag, which are far less risky as they aren’t worn near your face!  A classic spring bag that will stand the test of time if you take good care of it.  A great investment capsule piece can add a look of effortless glamour to any outfit – work or play!

NATURALLY MID BROWN HAIR AND MID-COLOURED EYES

CELEBS: Rosie Huntington-Smith, Sarah Jessica Parker, Olivia Palermo, Nicole Richie , Kylie Jenner, Kim Cattrall, Caroline Flack

I’m probably in this camp.  I’m neither dark nor light and I have brown eyes.  I suit my hair both light and dark, and it tends to naturally go lighter and darker depending on the seasons. In the summer I can get away with a completely different colour palette than I can in the winter.

Usually I have a fairly mid coloured skin tone, but in summer, I tan easily.  I can’t wear a strong eye and lip together – whereas people with cool complexions tend to do this much better.

The overall appearance of this complexion is quite blended and soft therefore colours that sit in the middle of the pallette work better when next to your face. For example not too dark, light, bold or pale. However as a rule, this type of complexion can go for more bolder colours if the hair is taken darker or lighter.

SUNKISSED SKIN AND MID-COLOURED EYES

CELEBS:  Jennifer Aniston, Gisele, Elle McPhereson, Blake Lively

Similar to the above skin profile but who look really sun-kissed. Warm, subtle, mid tones like salmon, coral and rose work nicely.

The same tones as above apply for this group.

DARK HAIR AND EYES

CELEBS: Nicole Scherzinger, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, Selena Gomez, Kristin Davies

Women who are naturally dark in their hair and eyes look amazing when wearing colours that really pop – we’re talking bright, bold and even neon if you dare!

As bold neon pinks are quite loud and daring, sometimes it works to wear them in a softer fabric to add more femininity back to the look.

Wishy washy colours and nudes can really wash this complexion out if the undertone of the garment is cool.  Warmer nudes can look lovely.  If you feel washed out when you look in the mirror, you’ve got the colour wrong.  Try magenta and fuscia pink with warm undertones.

Where to Shop

Maje have some lovely options this season in this colour palette, as well as Coast, Warehouse and Ted Baker.

DARK HAIR AND BLUE / GREEN EYES

CELEBS: Alexa Chung, Tyra Banks, Cara Delvigne, Katie Holmes, Khloe Kardashian, Ginnifer Goodwin, Courtney Cox

The main feature of this person is their clear green or blue eyes!  These pop against their raven hair and create a really clear and bright eyed appearance.

To match, the best pinks for this person are in fact clear and bright pinks like powder pink, magenta, fuscia and bubblegum!  Don’t go for insipid, murky, dirty or wishy washy tones.  Think pinks with more purple and blue tones to them, otherwise your skin may look insipid if wearing a colour like salmon.

RED HEADS

Warm Red Heads: Julia Roberts, Debra Messing, Nicole Kidman, Nicola Roberts, Lily Cole, Jess Glynn, Julianne Moore

Warm red heads usually have warm hazel, brown or green eyes.  The overall appearance of this complexion is quite blended, like the mid-brown and mid-eyes section above, therefore colours that sit in the middle of the palette work better.

Avoid bright neon pinks, unless your red hair is very dark.  You’d look better in soft mid tones that appear softer such as warm blush, salmon, maroon, rose gold and coral – but make sure the undertone is warm.

A Note on Fabric

Fabric is really important when it comes to colour, so try to take this in to account if you can not seem to find the right pink to suit you.

For example, any fabric that is shiny picks up the light, so if you are wearing a brighter shade in a shiny fabric, it may look too brash as it amplifies the colour.

If you want to go for a brighter shade of pink – such as a magenta – even if it’s not your best colour, try going for a soft fabric such as wool.  This mutes and softens the colour.

If you find a pink too ‘girly’, edge it out by choosing a different fabric OR simply add another piece to make it look less feminine.  For example, a nude pink gown with lace details can look really amazing with a biker jacket and you get the best of both worlds – feminine dress and edgy look.

Got a Style Question about Wearing Pink?

Post your style question in the comments below, and I’ll get back to you with the answer, or hop over to my Instagram and DM me your questions…. Happy shopping ladies!

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