How to wear pink: 11 Style Panel tips for co-opting spring’s typically girlish hue for fashionable Fall 2013 wear
If you haven’t yet embraced that pink is a big part of Fall 2013’s colour palette, we don’t blame you. Though pink has been there for us when we bid adieu to the winter’s cold and reclaimed our femininity from dark heavy coats it’s time to embrace it as a burst of girlishness to a different season.
Last Sunday at the Emmys, we were a little more convinced of pink’s fall arrival by Rose Byrne and January Jones in pink petal and dusty rose toned gowns respectively. On the Fall 2013 runways we saw a plaid belted coatdress from Prada and mix and matched shades of pink from Diane Von Furstenberg and Jeremy Laing proving that the hue can adapt to all seasons.
Since you’ve probably packed away all your femme hued frocks and coats, our Style Panel will sway you to dust them off and give them a whirl this fall. The Style Mogul’s Christine Cravero and Amber Desilets of Canadian Fashionista show you just how to wear make your powder pink coat fall ready by layering it with denim and grey pieces. Dainty Girl’s Nicole Wilson and Zoe Smythe of Zoe’s Fashion Feed wear floral print dresses with varying shades of the hue from a soft blush to a deep salmon showing you variable and workable shades of pink.
The Style Panel definitely did not shy away from the girly hue and neither should you. Still not convinced? Read on to see our girls’ pink looks for this season.
Question 70: Think pink! How are you wearing the girlish hue this season?
Christina Cravero, 27
Toronto | The Style Mogul
Pastel shades, especially blush pink are a huge trend for the Fall 2013 season. While this color is not always a favourite for everyone, it does pair amazingly with so many colors! For instance, blues, lemon yellow, grays, blacks and creams are just a few of the colors that go perfectly with blush pink! If you’re not bold enough to wear a pastel pink jacket, try opting for a pastel pink purse, blouse, or pump!
Sandy Joe Karpetz, 25
Toronto | The Pretty Secrets
I always figure if you’re going to wear pink you might as well go all out. This fall (like every other) I’ll be heavily clad in velvet, only this time it will be a shade of hot pink.
Sandy Joe’s wearing: Coat, black velvet mini dress, clutch and leopard boots, Vintage. Belt, Browns. Sunglasses, Nordstrom’s.
Barbara Ann Solomon, 25
Toronto | Barbara Ann’s Style Blog
This season, one of the most unexpected trends that we are loving is that pink has transitioned into our fall wardrobes. Pink is a powerful colour for redheads, the contrast between skin tone, hair and most shades of this colour, usually compliment each other really well. The typical spring and summer shade, this season is being paired with stronger hues like oxblood or worn head-to-toe in powdery shades. To ensure your look is current, play with fall textures like tweed and silk, or sequins and leather. And for an easy transition into the trend, think about pink accessories like rose gold metallics in jewellery or shoes.
Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents
I love the idea of wearing pink for fall; I’m especially smitten with powder pink hues as of late. Perfectly pretty and feminine, I’ve worn this blouse through many seasons and I keep it fresh for Fall by loosely layering it over a cozy thermal shirt and by pairing it up against a deep wine soaked mini. Since the temps are still warm enough in Halifax to bare my legs (and also keeping with the ever present grunge trend) I’ve opted for pairing this ensemble with my little ankle booties for some added height and edge.
If you can find it in your budget I would also suggest a great structured pink coat for Fall and even Winter. I have my eye on a beautiful one from Club Monaco.
Nicole Wilson, 29
Toronto | Dainty Girl
I’m not shy when it comes to pink – it’s the ultimate dainty colour and I love wearing it. Sometimes I work it into my outfits through my accessories and other times you’ll catch a glimpse of it on my nails and lips. When I laid eyes on this pretty pink dress by Australian label Nicholas, it was love at first blush.
This dress takes pink to the next level in an absolutely stunning floral print that incorporates purple, orange and flecks of blue on a soft pink base. The shape is super feminine with a fitted bodice and a full skirt – it even has pockets! I feel so great in this dress that I was inspired to wear my hair straight – I love the contrast between the full skirt and the sleek hair.
Stephanie Koch, 27
Kelowna via Calgary | Inherited Jeans
Pink and gray isn’t by any stretch a new color combination, however after the spring and summer where bright pinks seem to take center stage, I love the idea of dusty rose and gray to wear into fall. As it gets even cooler, use this color pairing but with chunky knits and heavier fabrics to keep it appropriate!
Jacquelyn Son, 21
Vancouver | Style Worthwhile
I’ve never been a huge girly-girl so I don’t normally wear a lot of pink. However, recently I’ve been more open to wearing different shades of the colour and I was very drawn to this peachy sweater. It has an open-back and is perfect for the breezy, still “half-warm”, early days of fall. I think it’s a great piece, because it’s still gives you the cozy sweater feeling, but combats any gloominess because of the bright colour.
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino
The endearing pink hues are spot on for this season, creating the perfect way to keep our wardrobe alive and vibrant as we begin to encounter the cooler weather.
My goal with this outfit pairing is to allow the bold pink blazer to pop, by pairing it with neutral tones in the white shorts and vintage-wash chambray top. When loading up with unexpected accessories such as the substantial heel and tie dye bow scarf, the statement accessories take the guess work out of the outfit. In my opinion, pink will never be short-lived!
Amber Desilets, 30
London, ON | Canadian Fashionista
If you’re going to invest in anything this season, a pink coat might be a good place to start. The pink coat has been found all over the runway this season, from designers like Chanel, Celine, Prada, Phillip Lim and Dior but come with a hefty designer price tag; luckily for us, brands like H&M, Zara, Jacob, Club Monaco have their own version that is just as fabulous. When searching for that perfect pink coat, it can be a little intimidating, if you’re not use to colour, so think baby pink; it’s much more wearable than a bold fuchsia or “Barbie” pink and is just pale enough that one might mistake it as a beige (from a distance) which means you can play it as a neutral and wear it with pretty much anything.
Leah Gust, 31
Toronto | Leah Says’
I recently saw an image of a street style look from London Fashion week of a woman dressed all in clashing reds and pinks and fell in love with the look! It was such an interesting sartorial statement. Inspired, but with red undertones that make me a little wary of a red outfit I’ve combined bright pinks to reinterpret the look.
Zoe Smythe, 30
New York City | Zoe’s Fashion Feed
From nude or blush to rose, salmon, cotton candy or blossom, it is refreshing to see some soft and playful pinks making their way into an otherwise neutral or jewel toned fall palette. This light pink flowing maxi is one piece I will be wearing into fall. The spicy red floral print gives a distinctly autumnal impression. I look forward to pairing it with booties and a cozy sweater for brunch, or a stroll in Central Park on a crisp fall day.
 I'll be heavily clad in velvet, only this time it will be a shade of hot pink.
Sandy Joe's wearing: Coat, black velvet mini dress, clutch and leopard boots, Vintage. Belt, Browns. Sunglasses, Nordstrom's.
Barbara Ann Solomon, 25
Toronto | Barbara Ann’s Style Blog
This season, one of the most unexpected trends that we are loving is that pink has transitioned into our fall wardrobes. Pink is a powerful colour for redheads, the contrast between skin tone, hair and most shades of this colour, usually compliment each other really well. The typical spring and summer shade, this season is being paired with stronger hues like oxblood or worn head-to-toe in powdery shades. To ensure your look is current, play with fall textures like tweed and silk, or sequins and leather. And for an easy transition into the trend, think about pink accessories like rose gold metallics in jewellery or shoes.
Kayla Short, 26
Halifax | Short Presents
I love the idea of wearing pink for fall; I'm especially smitten with powder pink hues as of late. Perfectly pretty and feminine, I've worn this blouse through many seasons and I keep it fresh for Fall by loosely layering it over a cozy thermal shirt and by pairing it up against a deep wine soaked mini. Since the temps are still warm enough in Halifax to bare my legs (and also keeping with the ever present grunge trend) I've opted for pairing this ensemble with my little ankle booties for some added height and edge.
If you can find it in your budget I would also suggest a great structured pink coat for Fall and even Winter. I have my eye on a beautiful one from Club Monaco.
Nicole Wilson, 29
Toronto | Dainty Girl
I'm not shy when it comes to pink - it's the ultimate dainty colour and I love wearing it. Sometimes I work it into my outfits through my accessories and other times you'll catch a glimpse of it on my nails and lips. When I laid eyes on this pretty pink dress by Australian label Nicholas, it was love at first blush.
This dress takes pink to the next level in an absolutely stunning floral print that incorporates purple, orange and flecks of blue on a soft pink base. The shape is super feminine with a fitted bodice and a full skirt - it even has pockets! I feel so great in this dress that I was inspired to wear my hair straight - I love the contrast between the full skirt and the sleek hair.
Stephanie Koch, 27
Kelowna via Calgary | Inherited Jeans
Pink and gray isn't by any stretch a new color combination, however after the spring and summer where bright pinks seem to take center stage, I love the idea of dusty rose and gray to wear into fall. As it gets even cooler, use this color pairing but with chunky knits and heavier fabrics to keep it appropriate!
Jacquelyn Son, 21
Vancouver | Style Worthwhile
I've never been a huge girly-girl so I don't normally wear a lot of pink. However, recently I've been more open to wearing different shades of the colour and I was very drawn to this peachy sweater. It has an open-back and is perfect for the breezy, still "half-warm", early days of fall. I think it's a great piece, because it's still gives you the cozy sweater feeling, but combats any gloominess because of the bright colour.
Becky Kung, 30
Calgary | Velvet & Vino
The endearing pink hues are spot on for this season, creating the perfect way to keep our wardrobe alive and vibrant as we begin to encounter the cooler weather.
My goal with this outfit pairing is to allow the bold pink blazer to pop, by pairing it with neutral tones in the white shorts and vintage-wash chambray top. When loading up with unexpected accessories such as the substantial heel and tie dye bow scarf, the statement accessories take the guess work out of the outfit. In my opinion, pink will never be short-lived!
Amber Desilets, 30
London, ON | Canadian Fashionista
If you’re going to invest in anything this season, a pink coat might be a good place to start. The pink coat has been found all over the runway this season, from designers like Chanel, Celine, Prada, Phillip Lim and Dior but come with a hefty designer price tag; luckily for us, brands like H&M, Zara, Jacob, Club Monaco have their own version that is just as fabulous. When searching for that perfect pink coat, it can be a little intimidating, if you’re not use to colour, so think baby pink; it’s much more wearable than a bold fuchsia or “Barbie” pink and is just pale enough that one might mistake it as a beige (from a distance) which means you can play it as a neutral and wear it with pretty much anything.
Leah Gust, 31
Toronto | Leah Says’
I recently saw an image of a street style look from London Fashion week of a woman dressed all in clashing reds and pinks and fell in love with the look! It was such an interesting sartorial statement. Inspired, but with red undertones that make me a little wary of a red outfit I've combined bright pinks to reinterpret the look.
Zoe Smythe, 30
New York City | Zoe’s Fashion Feed
From nude or blush to rose, salmon, cotton candy or blossom, it is refreshing to see some soft and playful pinks making their way into an otherwise neutral or jewel toned fall palette. This light pink flowing maxi is one piece I will be wearing into fall. The spicy red floral print gives a distinctly autumnal impression. I look forward to pairing it with booties and a cozy sweater for brunch, or a stroll in Central Park on a crisp fall day.){kind=link}