Ask A Woman: Pulling off Pink
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Dear Beth:
What’s your opinion on men who wear pink? I know it seems like a stupid question for anyone over the age of 12 to ask, but males are associated with blue, and females pink from a very young age. I myself like pink and catch some heat from friends over my pink polo, pink dress shirt, and pink tie. I even have some pink striped socks. It seems like pink has regained favor in men’s fashion over the last five years or so. Do you think someone has to be at least a little showy in their style to pull it off?
– Brett
Hi Brett,
Pink has definitely emerged as a color for men. True, it’s not for everyone. Gender-color rules are pervasive, and it can be hard to feel confident wearing something you’ve been socialized to see as only for girls. Coming from someone who wears a skirt or dress almost every day, I very much understand this hesitation to “cross over.” In fact, my secret dream is to be Janelle Monae in this video, with her tux highwaters and sockless wingtips. Seriously, how cool is that chick? And how refreshing is it to see a talented female artist who doesn’t take off all her clothes for her music video? Wait, what was your question? Shoot. Made a wrong turn at Tangentville.
If a man likes pink, I’m all for it. You can be a conservative dresser and still incorporate pink into your wardrobe. The key is paler shades of pink, and small prints. Look at this light pink and white shirt with small checks and this pink and white striped shirt with very thin stripes. This pink tie has a subtle print. This polo is such a pale color of pink, it’s nearly white. Incidentally, very pale colors look best on folks with darker skin. If you have pale skin, then the polo above is just going to wash out your complexion. Wear a darker/brighter shade of pink if you are pale, like this salmon-colored polo. It may not look as conservative, but it will be so much more flattering.
Another key to wearing pink is that you want to wear one piece at a time. A pink shirt with a pink tie is overkill. Pick one or the other, and then make sure your other pieces are more neutral colors like gray, so that different parts of your ensemble aren’t competing with each other.
By the way, a bit of gentle ribbing from not so sartorial-minded friends is to be expected. We’re a gender-role driven society, and traditional wisdom holds that the worst thing a man can do is embrace anything that is typically female. However, you and I know that the true worst thing a man can do is wear this pair of jeans
-Beth
Got a question for Beth? Send them to: askawoman@dappered.com
As in so many other areas, panache makes pink palatable.
It used to be the case that pink (which was associated with vigor and liveliness) was considered most suited for boys, while blue (considered dainty) was associated with girls.
Avoid in all circumstances if you have red hair.
I think pink is great, but only for two things: shirt or a tie. And even in those cases, it will work if the rest of the outfit is in more sober color. There needs to be something to counterbalance it.
In the case of pink polos, for example, there isn’t such a counterweight, and it just looks terrible. I think the above applies to all pastel colors – they should not dominate the outfits for men; just looks either goody or douchy.
Wouldn’t pink be more seasonal (spring and summer)?
I think a subdued pink can work on everyone. And I post this as an example that pink (along with most other colors) should be embaced by all men… http://www.thestyleblogger.com/4919/dressing-up-jeans/
Pink shirts, pink ties, pink pocket squares work all year round. Pink polos, pink shorts, or pink chinos in warm weather only. And know if you can pull off pink chinos for humanity’s sake.
It isn’t a color that appeals to me at all. Anyway, most of the times I see a man wearing pink I get the distinct impression that they are walking around thinking about the fact that they are wearing pink most of the day.
I’m wearing a pale pink dress shirt as I’m reading this. Good times!
I think it really only works during the spring and hot summer months (any light or bright colored clothes). Autumn and winter are no time to be wearing really bright main peices. I also think pink only works as shirts, ties, and maybe pocket squares. Pink jackets, pants, shorts, shoes, etc just make you look wierd or like you’re dying for attention.
Real men wear pink. But they do not… I repeat, DO NOT wear moronic t-shirts that proclaim “Real men wear pink.”
I personally don’t really own anything pink, other than a red striped shirt that looks pinkish from a distance. But I do own a lot of purple stuff. I think purple is actually my favorite non-neutral color for clothes. I’ve got everything from royal purple ties to lavender-and-white plaid dress shirts. I’ve even got a horrible old purple American Eagle hoodie that I wear around the house on cold days.
The key with any “unconventional” color is to wear it with confidence. If you feel uncomfortable wearing pink or purple, or light yellow, or whatever, people will notice. If you’re comfortable in it, no one will think twice.
You aren’t kidding, about the jeans. I’m not a pink-wearing guy, but Ed Hardy would be behind it in line. WAAAAY behind it. Maybe Ed Hardy is just a way for the fashion industry to deliniate between people who know what thier doing and the people who spend money on stuff they see on TV. Hmm…
Brett’s friends are douchebags who: are insecure; have little/no confidence; dress like slobs; watch TV shows like tosh.o and It’s Always Sunny; don’t have girlfriends/wives or have a tough time getting laid; wear jerseys.
At least one of them has a goatee.
IMO pink is OK if it’s a light shade and works with the outfit/season. A pink tie or pink stripes in socks are cool and a sunwashed pink striped oxford in the summer is nice. It also depends where you live. What works for you!
I’ve worn a pink dress shirt with my navy blue suit and chocolate-colored oxfords a few times, and I don’t really notice I’m wearing it. I tend forget and think I’m just wearing a white shirt (since it’s a pale pink), but it gives my look a bit more personality.
Mild pinks are okay on dress shirts or ties, but nowhere else in my opinion.
I love pink. Pink is really just light red. Funny how it’s so controversial while light blue is accepted in even the most conservative dress environments.
I own a number of pink shirts, polos, and ties. In fact, it probably ranks behind blue as my most worn color. I can remember about 5 years ago when I bought my first pink item. Remember thinking, “Whew, I hope I can pull this off.” Now I don’t even think twice about it.
My experience has been the opposite of the guy in the article. Mostly I get compliments or “I should start wearing pink” when it comes up for me.
It also goes really well–like knock ’em dead well–with navy blue and grey, which happen to be the most popular suit colors.
I think yellow should be the more controversial color. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone pull of a yellow dress shirt.
I’m rambling, sorry. I just love pink so much.
Look at any of the Polos or Oxfords by Ralph Lauren that are offered in pink. Those are the only acceptable shades of pink for a man to wear. Ever.
Pink is fine and It’s Always Sunny is hilarious.
Lighten up Francis. And think pink!
Good video pick! I had given up on music, but my despair appears to be premature.
Yep. Neon anything is pretty much always a bad idea.
This lasted well into the last century, I believe–I think it changed sometime around the 40s or 50s?
This guy seems to have misplaced his socks.
(Kidding, I know that look is in right now, but I can NOT get behind it. Even with sneakers, jeans, and a button-up with the sleeves rolled up, it looks and feels stupid and incomplete to me. Even in summer. The only time I ever don’t wear socks is with shorts. Then I never wear ’em.)
I like It’s Always Sunny, do not have trouble getting laid, and dress well. Lighten up, dude.
Yellow and orange are, in my opinion, the worst possible colors in existence for clothing. I hate them. I hate them to hell.
I have a pink tie and like it, but probably could not pull off a pink shirt. I’m fairly pale.
I think I’ll wear my pink tie tomorrow!