February 13, 2025
The Big Color This Spring
The first big trend of the spring is here: pale pink. I used to stay away from pink — does it feel young? does it suit me? — but I recently went to a party where everyone had to wear pink and realized how lovely and even elegant the shade looks, especially when balanced out with brown pants or dark blue jeans. Here are 12 pretty pieces…
Thoughts? Would you wear pink? This hat is cute, too.
P.S. Women share their weeks of outfits, and the big color last fall.
(T-shirt in top photo from Lululemon. This post is sponsored by Lululemon, a brand we’ve worn and loved for years. Thank you for supporting brands that support Cup of Jo.)
Tags: fashion
Comments
117 commentsI had a baby girl in April of 2024, and I feel like since she’s been born, I’ve been in my pale pink ERA! I’m here for it.
Pink is one of my favorite colors. Feminine, soft, romantic, joy. I love wearing different shades of pink from hot pink to mulberry with my OMG Gauze pants. Also I have a beautiful thrifted secretary skirt but it needs a little fixing to it. I used to wear ballet flats all the time dancing away at Ottobar in Baltimore, it was so bad on my feet with my ankles. A lot of things listed are way out of my budget in this economy.
From the cheap seats: no one color is for everyone! But there’s certainly a shade of pink for everyone. Color is mad objective AND subjective… respect!
For many years I avoided pink but I think it was the internalized misogyny. I don’t have a ton of it now but it’s such a happy color, I like a geranium or berry pink.
Pale pink makes my pale complexion look washed out but I love a darker pink! Pale pink these days reminds me of Glinda from Wicked! Ariana Grande has been rocking pale pink this past season.
Blush anything has always been my favorite! Sometimes I look at my closet and think is there too much blush and cream and stripes and florals and I’m just like nope. I love what I love!
oh man, that little pink jacket is calling my name! i never knew i needed it in my life so bad!
I like it. I treat it like a neutral. It’s like gray, it enhances other colors.
Me, too! I have a pair of light pink Vans slip ons that go with everything.
My most beloved soul dog passed away a year and a half ago. She was a white pit bull, so in reality, she was mostly petal pink– the color of her paws, her ears, her tummy, around her nose. Ever since her death I’ve taken pink as my personal love note to her. It was never a color I opted for before (it always felt too frilly for me?) but now it feels totally different. Surrounding myself with her color feels like gentle softness, a reminder to be kind like she was. I find myself noticing her color everywhere too, in the sunsets especially. It’s wonderful to look out at the world and see she’s there, she’s there. I would be curious to know if anyone else has an important color like that? Not one that you like because it’s trendy or whatever but because it carries a special meaning to you? I would love to hear.
I live in Albuquerque, NM. Because of quartz composition, most nights the Sandia mountains turn bright pink when the sun is setting. It’s so fleeting – just a couple minutes – you can catch it but just as easily you can miss it. But it’s out there happening, whether or not you are looking. And I love that. When I travel away from the Sandias I miss the nightly flamboyant flame out. But I realize I look for it in other places. A sunrise, a reflection on water, a flower. “Oh look!” I say, “Sandia Pink!”
Kelly, I grew up in ABQ, under the spell and comfort of those pink sunset mountains. For anyone new to the word “Sandia”, it is Spanish for ‘watermelon’, hence the name.
So sorry for your loss, Charlotte. I work at a pet store, and pit bulls are popular in my area – I adore my customers! Their sweetness is palpable. I love the concept of color as tribute. I never thought of it before, but perhaps one of the reasons I don’t mind the few little shiny silver wisps in my hair is that I match with my 17 year old cat. :)
Joanna! Have you had your colour analysis done? Would love to see a fun post on that!
Ditto! Joanna and a few readers, would be so fun!
This x100!! I would love to see a colour analysis post with some of the COJ team – maybe Jo, Jannelle, Christine Han, and Christine Pride? It could be a win-win of a fun team building experience for them, and a fun post for us :)
I had pale pink leg warmers in the 80s. Wish I still had them!
It’s huge in Stockholm and has been for a few weeks! Lots of people adding a pop of pink with beanies, scarves, or a button up sticking out.
I got me a wool French beret hat (Seeberger) in the palest sweet pink last year, I love it!
Omg omg omg are the shoes DAYBREAKS under a new name? Are they back??
This feels like a non-post… I and many women I know wear pink all the time. Pink of all shades but especially pale pink.
your post is a non-post
Agree. Especially since it’s sponsored by Lululemon? It’s essentially: I saw people wearing pink, would you wear pink, here are a bunch of pink things, Lululemon sells a pink shirt.
some of our posts are long essays, some are long house tours, and some are just short and punchy. this one was a short one (and also priced accordingly, don’t worry!) xoxo
Remember posts like these keep this amazing site FREEEEEEEE :)
I’m a looong long time Canadian reader of CoJ — 10+ years. I didn’t even noticed it was sponsored by Lulu, but nice that a Canadian company is being promoted! (Even though the owner is racist and fat-phobic :/ )
Does this mean millennial pink has come back around? We’re back in 2017 in so many ways… *laugh* *sob*
Came to say exactly this! Something about Tr;mp in the WH that makes us all want to look like little ballerinas?
While all redheads are not the same, I’m shocked by how many people have said they can’t wear light pink because they have that complexion. Light pink is one of my best colors! I always have a sweater in rotation the same color as the cardigan above. My wedding dress was a lighter shade of it, too. And after I picked it the saleswoman smiled and said she thought I’d pick it because nearly every redhead she has assisted picks a dress that’s very pale pink. (I literally NEVER wear white – it’s so bad on me! I cannot understand everyone’s obsession with finding the ‘perfect white t-shirt’.) That said, I would never wear the blue undertoned pinks, like the sweatpants or the top photo. I’d look like leftovers from the fridge, lol.
My wedding dress was that color, as well! I bet you looked gorgeous :)
While I’m not a redhead, I was curious about it too. I thought a pale pink looked good on many I’ve seen – friends and models and actors. I do better in colors with a blue undertone or gold hue, including pale pinks.
I *love* light pink…but as a light spring (blonde hair, blue eyes, pale-ish) I look washed out and sickly in pale pink (I look great in a brighter pink tho). My daughters who got their Dad’s chestnut hair and warmer skin tone look stunning in it, however.
Happy Valentine’s day, all! pink-brown, pink-burgundy and pink grey def tickle my clothing closet and jewelry box. I feel the same way about yellow. It’s all about the shade.
I have a pair of pearl earrings suspended from tiny pink grosgrain bows that are among my favorites. I don’t wear them as often as I’d like to because I have trouble finding the ideal top in the same shade. But lately I’ve been pairing them with an all black outfit topped with a pink pashmina scarf…..SWEET!
I just got those Nikes in that colorway earlier this week! I love them!
Pink is a color I just cannot get into. Most pale, pastel kind of colors just give Easter core to me and that’s not it for me.
I cannot wear pink close to my face, it washes me out horribly. Shoes, skirts, jeans etc. are okay, though, so that’s my solution!
Pale pink is too delicate for me most of the time. There’s this one college student I encounter each week who wears the shade from head to toe – sweatpants, top, water bottle, backpack, sneakers! I don’t embrace color that hard, but it’s clearly part of her identity! I’m so curious about it haha
My best friend in high school wore 100% pink all the time. She went away to college at Cornell and came back wearing all black all the time.
I wore raspberry pink to our small town hall weddings, and truly felt my best. As a bonus, I’ve been able to rewear my dress since.
Had a lovely pair of pale pink yoga tights I would wear repeatedly to the gym and the park, until I became aware that it 100% looked like I was naked from the waist down. Be warned, pale people.
I have an olive tone skin and light shade of purple did that to me. So interesting how color theory works !
I love pink! I have pale pink 7/8 pants from Uniqlo and I sometimes worry that it looks from afar as if I’d forgotten to wear pants at all.
Lovely colours but I think it is important to note that everyone has a different shade of pink that makes them look best! I can’t really do blush or light pink (just like greys, they wash me out) but a coral or jewel tone pink brings me to life. There really is something to the idea of color seasons and different skin tone/eye/hair colour combinations reacting with the colours we wear for better or worse.
I have the sneakers and can confirm they are fab!
Love to hear this, I just ordered! (I have largish feet and have been dying for hot pink sneaks and loved that these were men’s!)
I’m dying for color…. please! Just- color. I’m thirsty in a desert of beige and blush. Jesus fucking Christ.
I love this :) I’m laughing out loud by myself reading your comment. I really needed to laugh. Thank you.
Friends, has anyone purchased Ulla Johnson clothing? I am eyeing some dresses for a work party and have always fascinated over the lovelies on their website? Their pre-owned clothes are final sale. Can you tell me how the quality and value are? Thanks
Hi Anna! I have one cotton Ulla Johnson dress from a sample sale and I love it! I think it’s really nicely made. Granted, I spent $60 on it while retail was something like $200. I wouldn’t have spent full price on this particular item (too trendy), but I’m happy with what I have!
Hi Anna! I have a few things from Ulla Johnson, all of which I bought from The Real Real (most of the items on the site are returnable, which is less stressful than final sale). Have you checked TRR for the same dresses you have been eyeing?
Here for the pink. Wore a bright pink sweater to work today; came home and bought some pink sneakers. Pink in late Winter reminds me that Spring is coming!
Question for the COJ hive for those of you who have had color consults…do they change as you age? I am now salt and pepper brownish-gray hair, reddish cheeks from time outside, but still pale AF all over from getting smart about sunscreen and shade as I near 60. I have no idea what colors look good on me, including gold or silver earrings/necklaces? Help!
Yes! Your coloring sounds identical to mine and I’ve definitely noticed some colors I used to wear no longer flatter me. I used to be able to wear taupe and camel, and those colors look horrible on me now. Same with off white. I switched from brown tortoiseshell glasses to a deep teal blue. Overall I think my colors have become cooler. So mostly silver earrings now although I can get away with gold if they’re dainty. Hope this helps!
Try https://puttingmetogether.com/ for practical wardrobe help, all ages, sizes, and styles.
My mother’s colors changed dramatically as she went from red hair to white hair. I feel like somehow even her skin tone changed, too. It took her a few years to adjust, after decades of reaching for certain colors. Like Coco, taupe used to be one of her go-tos. She glowed in it. But she can’t go near it now; it’s deathly! So now she suddenly has all these deep jewel tones which used to clash terribly with her youthful coloring, which she is enjoying! After years of dainty gold or tortoise frames, her signature is now purple glasses!
I think it depends on how your hair started… but your undertone shouldn’t have changed (which might settle the gold or silver question). Is your hair to face contrast still the same? That has major consequences I find. FWIW, I’m pretty neutral in undertone and find mixed metals my favorite for jewelry.
I love to wear pink any time of the year.
As someone with a very pink skin tone I’ve never liked wearing lots of pink because it just emphasized that my face is so pink! But my daughter, in 7th grade now, has decided that her colors, her aesthetic is sage green and blush pink and she looks absolutely adorable in it and I love her strong sense of self that’s showing up in her style now!
This sounds so silly but I have 3 kids – 2 boys and a girl with a 6 year gap between the boys and girl. When I had just the boys I always wore blue but since having my daughter I go towards purples and pinks now. Which I never really wore before.
I’ve been loving a dusty rosie pink for the last year yo the point where I can dress it head to toe😂 I bought some cute sunnies off Zennie last summer, a Levi’s winter jacket this winter, a pair of slide on sketchers over the fall. I’m now knitting my first sweater all in some variation of that pink.
I have fallen in love with the color pink over the last five years. I gravitate towards true pink, blush, pastel, and coral pink for my clothes. Pale pink and hot pink for home accents. My hair has been different shades of pink over the past two and a half years and it currently has pink roots that fade into more peachy tones. This has not always been the case for me- my love for pink. I went to a strict private school growing up and had to wear plain colors. But at the age of 14 I began dying my brown hair bright fire engine red. It was the only way to express myself at the time. My hair stayed shades of red until I was in my later 30s. There was an occasional blonde or black thrown in there over the years, but always a bright red, cherry red, copper red, burgundy, or pink red accent. My hair was short and burgundy when I married my spouse. Because my hair was so loud, I felt I could never have too much other color anywhere else. Also, I am an introvert. My hair drew enough attention. Too much color might make strangers talk to me, lol. Besides, I was heavy into the punk scene in later highschool and college. I wore black or shades of grey or dark blues. Suddenly, I was ready to leave the red behind. I bleached all of my hair and dyed it silver. It was awesome. I did shades of grey and then added purple. Shifted from purple to pinks and here I have remained for these early years of my 40s. I began wearing bright colors too for my clothes. I realized it made me happy. And it made others happy too! I have been stopped by children, men, women, grandparents, and my boys’ friends- all to comment on my hair. Because they said it makes them smile. At first my introvert self felt uncomfortable. But as someone who loves to help others and listen and be a friend- being able to put a smile on someone’s face because of my hair makes my day. I’m glad I embraced the pink :).
This makes me want to see your style evolution in pictures!
I have some red pieces in my closet that used to bring me so much joy. But…now whenever I attempt to wear a red beanie/vest/sweater, I think of the new administration and am deflated. Is anyone in this same boat? Am I being ridiculous? Overthinking? I am a Pisces after all.<3
You’re not overthinking at all. Colors can trigger emotions just like music or smells. These associations are completely personal and aren’t for anyone to judge. Nonetheless, if you think about how prominent red (or blue) is in the political dialogue and how it’s used to categorize people ideologically (e.g., “red state”) it’s not surprising that you would develop a new association with red that you didn’t have before.
I think you should wear what you want. No one’s keeping track unless you’re showing up at a rally or something. If it helps, wear it in rebellion. Love to you from a fellow Pisces.
You’re not alone in this apprehension. I tell myself they don’t own red, they don’t own patriotic feelings, they don’t own “family values.” I don’t give them an inch where I can help it.
Thank you three, I needed this.
This will look good with the browns we’ve all been buying — Neapolitan ice cream!
Omg love this as an aesthetic 😂 Can I also just say how wildly underrated neapolitan ice cream is. It is SO GOOD. A few years ago my husband and I bought a pint each of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate from our favourite local ice cream place, let them soften slightly, then smooshed them into sections in a glass tupperware to make our own. It was an excellent decision.
I literally just looked up why it’s called Neapolitan and it’s because it was originally pistachio, vanilla, and cherry so it looked like the Italian flag. How delicious does that trio sound? I’m dying to try it.
As a girl growing up in the ’90s, I had my own personal war on pink. I wanted to be tough; I played sports, I rode skateboards. I fully embraced a punk rock ethos, which included deriding cheerleaders and the girly girls who made up their ranks. My favorite colors were and still are black, dark black, gray, navy blue, and the occasional forest green. Cut to 2010. My daughter is born. She is sunshine, she is flowers, she is PINK. From the moment she picked up a crayon at 12 months, she has been drawn to pink. Pale pink, pastel pink, pinky pink. She draws with it, she decorates with it, and she wears it. Almost exclusively. And the thing about love is – I’ve never fought it. I’ve never suggested blue or green or even yellow. I am so enamored with her choices, her style. When I find pale pink sweaters at the thrift store, I text a photo – “how about this one?”. We recently went to get our nails done. I did navy blue, she did a blush. She asked me if it’d be alright with me if she tried out for the cheerleading squad at school next semester. Absolutely, I replied.
Oh I love this so much June! x
“The thing about love is- I’ve never fought it.” Now if that doesn’t sum up unconditional love what does?!
I greatly enjoyed reading this comment. 💕
June, this is a beautiful and validating ode to your daughter’s unique personality! I’m also a non-girly girl who loves a good menswear -inspired look. My daughter is the polar opposite. She’s never met a shade of pink she didn’t immediately adore. She loves glitter, tiaras, Disney princesses, and almost exclusively wears dresses. I love that for her. It’s unique expression of her personhood at 6 yrs old.
I love this! I dressed in all black during my teen years. A year abroad (in Florida) brought color into my wardrobe, my mom was shocked when she visited 8 months into my stay. Nowadays, I so often dress in a kind of rosé shade that my husband calls it “Lisa color”. Even though I’d never list it as a favorite color of mine. My son is about to turn three and he likes pink very much. I hope it’ll stay that way for a long time, as it obviously brings him joy to bathe in shocking pink water, draw pink swirls (“Oh, what did you draw there?” – “A dress!”) and sing about pink ballons :) He likes all other colors as well, but pink (and violet) are named most often.
this is me and my daughter, I had never owned a piece of clothing that was pink, she’s 2.5 years old and doesn’t own a single piece of clothing that is not pink.
Loved reading this. My daughter when she was little (2) would yell “No pink, no pink mamma” when I tried to dress her (I’m not into pink, it was almost impossible to find clothes for girls without pink) fast forward to about 7 and she asked for her room to be painted a pink, a beautiful dark pink. She just turned 18 and painted her room herself to a white a few weeks ago. Not a fan of pink, however, it’s one of the colours I look best in.
A while back I ordered a pair of pinkish pants that I thought looked really beautiful online. When they came, the actual color reminded me of undergarments that had been through the laundry too many times. I decided I didn’t need pants in a shade that could be described as Old Girdle, and returned them. A few of the items in this roundup (hello, pinky-beige sweatshirt) have the same problem, it seems.
“Old Girdle”!!!! (laughing so hard in my tiny office right now) Thanks for that Erin!! :-D
The first time I came across the colour off-white, a friend was wearing a tank top of said colour. I kept on asking her are you sure you didn’t mix that top with some colour fast item, the colour looks off. Since then I’ve come to appreciate these unconventional items like the dirty pink you mention. Great paired with white or denim!
I have a strong pink smock top – and the thing is every time I wear it people love it- it makes me think that pink makes people happy – more so I think than it being a colour that suits me. Do you know what I am trying to say? The wearing of pink is like a gift to the audience – people love it. My brain is sooooo fuzzy today. Why does the perimenopausal body think, I know – let’s not let her sleep, just to really screw her over?
I get so many enthusiastic compliments when I wear this dusty pink hoodie. And I used to be an all black person. Truthfully I only wear it at home but when people come over they are always so complimentary, with a really surprised tone of voice. I suppose because I do not seem like a pink person. But I love it, it feels like self-care to me, to be wrapped in that color, comfortably. lol.
I 100% have noticed the same thing – people compliment when i wear pink, more than any other color. it does seem to bring a smile to faces :)
As a pale, pink-undertoned person, this shade of pink feels too close to my skintone and I wonder if I look naked. I like deeper shades of pink though. And I LOVE those nikes. I just bought some bright blue Nike Cortez and they’re super fun.
Same. Pale person here who loves medium pink to bright pink.
I don’t wear a lot of pink, although I do have some bright pink flats, but I have tons of pink in my house, including block print drapes in my dining room and a Murano lamp my niece snagged from her grandmother’s house before it went to Goodwill.
Oooh- I love pale pink on other people! On me (a very pale red head), pale pink makes me look so washed out so it’s definitely a “below the waist” color. I can do brighter pinks, especially hot pink, but pale pink near my face does my skin tone no favors.
I just bought Onitsuka Tigers in pale pink and they are my FAVORITE! Now I just need to wait for this winter weather to stop so I can wear them in the sunshine:-)
I love thoe Onitsuka – but I just got these! Saving them for when it’s not wet and slushie: https://www.keenfootwear.com/products/womens-jasper-pink-gum
Link for those gorgeous Nikes doesn’t take you to them.
Pale pink is NOT my colour. I’m a redhead with very pink undertones to my skin and it just does nothing for me. Ah well! One to skip – or maybe just do the odd accessory…
cool cool cool, can’t wait to look INVISIBLE this spring.
Rachel, your comment made me laugh 😄
Hahaha this is hilarious…and true for me too!
My mom always told me “every woman looks good in pink.” It’s an absurd statement but it’s true! I’d extend it to every person looks good in pink! It’s such a natural and lovely color. My favorite!
Ha! Not me. I love it as a shade, but it matches my skin tone too closely and it just makes me look mottled.
I’ve heard that everyone looks good with pink around them — as in pink walls, upholstery, drapes……maybe not with everything covered in pink, but it tends to make people look good that way. I’ve also heard that using pink lightbulbs works. And this post is inspiring me to maybe try that theory out. Happy St. Valentine’s Day!
Whenever my mother and I are together and one of us is wearing pink, we alway say sagely “I find pink is a color that compliments all complexions.” Because in the mid-90’s we were at a gathering where a social matriarch stated this with absolute certainty and the women around her nodded so solemnly that it was hilarious to us and became a core memory. But also, it’s true. Perhaps *this shade* of pink isn’t for everyone, but absolutely everyone can be flattered by *a shade* of pink.
Yes, Peach! Such sage 90s advice. Def agree not every shade flatters everyone. In fact I look AWFUL in pale pink (like the items in this article) but dark pinks are my “power color.”
I used to exclusively wear black and white until my daughter was born. Her baby and little girl clothes were all of these upbeat, happy colors and I got hooked, mostly on turquoise and pink. She’s now 18, and I’m back to mostly black but the pink has never gone away. It’s so positive and promises so much hope.
Is it just me, or do all the months feel like they have their own color? January is light blue. February is pink. Some months are easier to determine the color of than others for me, though! My birthday is in March, but I can’t ever quite decide what color March feels like. Is it yellow? Is it grey? In any case, February has always been decidedly pink for me, so this post feels perfect. <3
March is green, no?
If you have synesthesia they do! My months, days of the week, numbers, and letters all have associated colors. March is slate blue for me.
I think you could make March any shade of green (NOT because of St. P day), yellow, or blue. The entrance of spring offers a lot of opportunities. I think having a birthday in March would be fantastic – it’s an unexpected time of year to throw a big soiree or something :)
March is definitely green! April is yellow.
Definitely green!
Ok please tell me what color is May?
I think May is purple!
Emm, I think May is lavender.
@emm. May is daffodil yellow for me…
May is purple! Or bright pink.
Emm, May is pale lilac of course!
I remember reading a Real Simple article years ago that said there are four colors anyone can wear: eggplant, true red, teal, and light pink. I’m sure that’s not universally true, but I do feel like light pink suits most people—and I especially love it on my son and husband.
My skin tone is best described as Light Pink. Pink is the trickiest color for me to wear!
In the interest of hoping for a better world…Chip Wilson is still the major shareholder of Lululemon and his political influence is not positive.