How to wear pink the grown-up way

Tamara Abraham

Sat, March 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM UTC

3 min read

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Pink can be divisive. To some, it’s saccharine, but those who love it, love it hard.

When ‘millennial pink’ became a thing around 2016, it gave licence to fans to lean into the temptation to buy all-pink everything. In the years since, the ‘It’ shade has segued from marshmallow to fuchsia, but unlike most passing colour trends, pink has never really left us.

The difference now is that it’s more grown-up. Modern pink, 2024 pink, looks less like you’ve had a run-in with the Barbie Dreamhouse. It’s more subtle – like a hint of pink – than overpowering, saturated colour.

Pink pairs elegantly with burgundy at Tod's — Pink pairs elegantly with burgundy on the runway at Tod's - Getty

Its role in your wardrobe can be to enhance other hues. Consider how elegant pink can look in combination with red (as seen at Simone Rocha), burgundy (Tod’s) or chocolate brown. Even orange, as we saw on the Gucci catwalk. It’s a great pairing for a harder-to-wear shade, because it lends warmth to the skin and suits pretty much everyone.

Don’t just take it from me – take it from a Frenchwoman, one who has an innate understanding of how to wear pink without straying into tacky or infantile territory: Morgane Sézalory, founder of Sézane. ‘Powder pink is for me the best option because it is easy to pair with neutral colours such as beige, grey or white, or even with denim,’ she says. ‘It’s ideal for a day look and you can never go wrong with a touch of powder pink either in spring or winter.’

Sézane’s Mederick coat and Gaspard cardigan, in this season’s collection, are both perfect pink punches to be paired with jeans and loafers.

My advice? Pink requires a bit of breathing room, and it’s at its best when it is unexpected. Another good guideline is: the more feminine the garment, the paler the pink should be. Meanwhile, utilitarian or menswear-inspired pieces feel fresh when rendered in blush-like shades – just look at Bottega Veneta’s tomboyish shirt.

florence pugh — The modern shade is less Barbie pink, more a subtle wink, as Florence Pugh sported in Paris late last year - Getty

gigi hadid — Abraham: 'Utilitarian or menswear-inspired pieces feel fresh when rendered in blush-like shades' - Getty

And yes, men look fantastic in pink as well. Daniel Craig and Succession actor Jeremy Strong, for example, have both worn it on the red carpet to great effect (take note, silver foxes – pink looks sensational with grey hair).

La vie en rose has never been more chic.