How to Wear Pink

Co-authored by Hannah Park

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 References

Pink is a favorite color of many, but it can be difficult to know how to incorporate it into your look well. Recently, though, the color pink has become very trendy, showing up in clothing, accessories, and even makeup looks. If you want to wear pink, go for it! First, though, take the time to figure out how to wear pink and choose flattering shades without looking overwhelming.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Wearing Pink Clothing

1
Wear pink with more neutral colors. Pink looks great, but it can sometimes be difficult to pair it with other colors. Choosing one pink statement piece, such as a shirt, a nice pair of pink pants, or even a pink jacket will look great if you pair it with a more neutral color like white, black, or khaki.
- For example, wearing a light pink jacket with a white dress or skirt will look mature and elegant.
- If you wear a pink outfit, try accessorizing with different colors. Gold, black, brown, and silver all look great with pink.
2
Pair pinks with contrasting colors. While wearing pink with neutral colors is great when you want to look refined and elegant, pairing pink with a nice contrasting color can look great for a night out on the town.
- For example, colors such as silver, orange, and yellow all contrast with pink without clashing.
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3
Choose a pink dress. Pink dresses are a great way to wear pink because you can give yourself a different style based on the cut of the dress, the shade of pink you choose, and the accessories you layer on top. If you want to look feminine and elegant, go for lighter shades of pinks and pastels. On the other hand, if you want a more edgy look, go for a brighter, more bold shade of pink.^{[1]
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- If you want a really edgy look, try layering a black leather jacket on top of a hot pink dress.
4
Don't go overboard. When wearing a color like pink, try to remember that less is more. If you wear a pink top, don't wear pink pants, shorts, skirts, etc. in the same color. If you do want to make your whole outfit pink, but don't want to wear a dress, try choosing different shades of pink to make your outfit more interesting.^{[2]
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- For example, you could pair a dark pink shirt with a more magenta-hued skirt without looking overwhelming.^{[3]
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5
Go for a shade of pink that will flatter your skin tone. If you have olive or darker skin, brighter pinks will be most flattering for your skin. If you have a fair complexion, pale pinks will be a good choice. If you are somewhere in the middle, you can probably get away with just about any shade, but try to choose shades that are not too light and not too bold.^{[4]
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- If you notice that you are getting lots of compliments when you wear a certain shade of pink, you've probably found your best match.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Pulling Off Pink Makeup

1
Try pink eye shadows. It has become pretty popular to use pink eye shadow recently. It can be tricky to pull it off, but try out different shades of pink eye shadow, and layer it with other shadows (e.g. gold) to find a look that you like. Remember, too, that pink eye shadow doesn't necessarily have to mean hot pink. You can also pick more neutral shades of pink if you want a more toned-down look.^{[5]
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- If you are worried about looking as though your eye is inflamed or infected, try using black eyeliner and mascara to help tone down the pink. It may also be a good idea to confine the pink shadow to the top lid, especially if you don't use another color to break up the pink.
- The best way to find a pink eye shadow that looks good on you is to experiment. Since many factors play into how the eye shadow will look on your face (e.g. eye color, hair color, skin tone, etc.) it is hard to pin down what shades will look best without trying them out.
2
Choose a pink lip color. One of the most classic ways to incorporate pink into your makeup is to use a pink lipstick or lip gloss. However, though it is a very common color, it can be difficult to choose a color that will flatter you. Try out a few different shades to see what you think suits your skin tone and your personality.^{[6]
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- If you have pale or fair skin look for pinks in lighter, more sheer shades. If you have reddish undertones, choosing a peachy pink color will help to neutralize the redness in your skin.
- If you have medium or olive-toned skin you can probably pull off just about any shade of pink that you like. However, try to avoid pinks that have a blue undertone or you might end up looking washed out.
- If you have dark skin, a bright and bold pink will look great on you. Avoid the more neutral shades of pink in order to avoid looking washed out. You can even opt for a more purply-pink color if you want to be adventurous.
3
Dye your hair pink. These days it is very trendy to dye your hair a more bold color. If you're very adventurous, you could dye your hair pink. Though you can buy do it yourself hair color, for non-traditional hair colors, it may be a good idea to visit a professional salon so that you avoid damaging your hair unnecessarily.^{[7]
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- For a less permanent look you can use hair mascara, hair chalk, or temporary hair colors to put some pink in your hair for a night out.
- Alternatively, don't forget that you can always accessorize with pink hair accessories instead of applying color directly to the hair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing Pink Jewelry and Accessories

1
Pick out a cool pair of pink shoes. If you have a very neutral, but edgy outfit on, you can mix it up a bit by adding in a pair of pink shoes. They can be in whatever tone looks good with the rest of your outfit, and they can be whatever style you like. High heels for a big night out might work well. Try flats for a more laid back day time look.^{[8]
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- Your shoes say a lot about what kind of style you are trying to go for, so look for shoes that express your personality and personal style.
- If you are wearing pink elsewhere in your outfit, try to choose shoes that are a different shade of pink to mix it up.
2
Try adding a pink hat or scarf. A scarf will probably be easier to pull off than a pink hat, but if you find a pink hat that you love, then go for it. The trick with pink is not to over-do it. A scarf or hat is a great way to dress up an otherwise boring outfit.^{[9]
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- You can also try pink hair accessories. Try a pink headband, clip, or even a bow if you like them.
- If you do want to wear more than one piece of pink, try varying the shade of each piece to give your look some character.
3
Carry a pink handbag. If you're wearing a neutral outfit (e.g. a white dress or plain denim jeans with a white/khaki top) carrying a pink bag with you can add a bit of flair. Try to keep the bag in line with the style you are trying to present. For example, if you are going for an elegant look, opt for a more neutral or pale shade of pink.^{[10]
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- If you want to go for an edgy look, find a bag that is in a bold, bright pink.
4
Paint your nails pink. Pink is a classic nail color choice, and you can find nail polishes in every shade of pink you can think of. Choose a shade that you like, or, if it is for a particular occasion, choose a pink that matches the tone of the event. For example, a soft pastel pink could be great for a more professional event, while a hot pink would be great for a big night out.
- If you can't decide, you can also try out a trend that is called ombre nails. This involves using a small sponge to paint each section of your nail a slightly different shade from bottom to top. This creates a sort of gradient appearance with dark colors at one end of the nail and lighter shades of the same color at the other end.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is wearing pink attractive?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes! In fact, it's really popular right now to add a pop of pink to your outfit with accessories, such as pink sunglasses, earrings, shoes, or a clutch.
Question

What shade of pink should I wear?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

If you have darker skin, you might look best in a neon pink. If you have lighter skin, a medium pink tone might work better for you.
Question

Can boys like pink too?

Community Answer

Yes, definitely, boys can like pink. Liking certain colors has nothing to do with gender.

Warnings

Wearing too much pink at once can make you look a bit overwhelming, or like you are trying to impersonate a barbie.

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