In Appreciation of the Faier Hue
I posit that pink is the most underappreciated color in a gentleman’s pallet these days. A century old gender bias has forced too many men to keep pink at bay. For others, it remains a curiosity to be admired on others but they dare not try it themselves. Others still, dabble with good intentions but entirely misuse the color. Most men depend on darker shades of blue, gray and black as well as earth tones like browns and greens. An ideal accent color for all of these, when applied properly, is pink. Despite stereotypes, its application transcends all style categories and seasons. A splash of pink will add flavor to anyone’s closet with a few careful considerations.
Let’s begin with a consideration of pink unto itself. What a marvel of contradiction and embellishment. Pink endows an otherwise drab outfit with resplendence. Whether used as an accessory or a foundational garment, pink catches the eye. We have only to look to nature for the source of pink’s draw. Flowers have been the primary representation of natures beauty throughout human history and pink is the most floral of all sartorial colors. When viewed abstractly, adding pink to an outfit engages an observer like placing a flower on a mahogany dresser.
Pink, more than any other color is shackled with a gender. Yet when artfully applied to menswear it exudes a masculine confidence. That confidence suggests a comfort in defying gender bias. Is it then removing or reinforcing said gender bias? The answer is both dependent upon the wearer and completely irrelevant. What matters is that no other color can elicit that kind of sociological debate.
Now this power is to be respected. Like any warm color, pink should be worn in measure. With the exception of some suits, you never want pink to exceed 50% of your outfit. Anything more than 25% should be approached with caution. If you stick in the 5% to 15% range then you can go nuts. You must also maintain a balance with corresponding colors. Pink goes as well with black as it does with white. Dark shades and earth tones work well. Denim is always a good choice. Just avoid red, yellow, orange and any warm colors.