Think pink: Experience life through shades of pink

Live la vie en rose this season as a wave of femininity sweeps through the global runways. Whether in a flush of blush or a punch of fuchsia or in striking magenta, designers are scaling the pink spectrum like never before. “Rose, as in pink, came to the fore in France during the 18th century, surfing on Romanticism. It was at this point that the hue came to symbolise tenderness and femininity, as a watered down version of red, stripped of its warlike connotations, and gentleness (as in seeing life through rose-coloured glasses). So it’s a recent invention unlike many popular beliefs,” reveals designer Archana Kochhar.

Designer Jyoti Sachdev Iyer agrees, “Every generation brings a new definition of masculinity and femininity. However, pink wasn’t always associated as the girls’ colour. In fact, there was a point in time where pink was actually considered a colour for boys since it was an undertone of red, and blue was for girls as it expressed daintiness. The colour divide happened somewhere post WWII with the rise of consumerism and liberation movements.”

The colour is trending in diverse silhouettes from shift dresses, capes to gowns, and in the bridal aspect in digitally printed lehengas, anarkalis, saris and cocktail wears. But what do you do if pink is a colour not for you? And you don’t like it? “It’s an easy one to be scared of — we all have our own pink fashion anecdotes — good, bad and ugly. But here’s the thing, find your shade or choose it wisely. You want a tone that works with (you), not against (you). For example, if you are pale, a pale pink will wash you out. So it is advisable that you opt for something which has a power-packed punch. You can also add a gorgeous red lipper to really amp it up. Second off, commit to your shade. Wholeheartedly embrace pink because that’s the only way you can make the most (and best) impact. If you are a beginner, stick to just one as opposed to colour-blocking yourself in varying degrees of contrasting hues. And if you do wear it with another colour, it really should be another colour like mint green for pale pink or red/teal for sharper shots. Whatever your sensibility, there’s a degree of pink for everyone. You will have lots of fun exploring the colour conundrum,” suggests designer Bhavya Goel.

Even the frilliest of ensembles can become more edgy with the addition of a few well-placed menswear accents, points out designer Gautam Gupta. “So, in case you are really afraid to look uber-feminine, try the shade with a fitted blazer, modern vest or tailored trousers as it can do wonders for an otherwise girly ensemble by toning down a pink palette.” He adds, “Pay close attention to the cut. Nearly any piece of clothing can be made to look chic and urbane if it’s well-tailored and cut to perfection, so if you’re going for a full-on fuchsia shift or a solid pink coat, make sure it’s fitted and cut to flatter your body.”

However, if you’re still really unsure, drip-feed the hue into your wardrobe through prints first, advises designer Simran Aggarwal, adding, “Go for graphic incarnations and work in accessories that are bold and have edge such as huge brooches and hair clips. You can also try using it as a subtle accent to complement other shades. In case you’re wearing boyfriend jeans and a blazer, add blush pumps. If you are running out for a chillier day then throw on a coral scarf, and a thin pink belt is always a great accent for any of your neutral dresses.”