As I continue to interrogate my feelings about pink, I am struck once again with how the complexity of my profession always allows me to appreciate the transaction between a person and their environment. As we learn more about the brain, we also now know that these transactions can actually change the architecture of our brain in ways that can facilitate, as well as hinder, our development. The power of signs, whether embedded in an article of clothing or in a color, are powerful and remain in our memory and in our DNA.
As I read the article I asked all of you to read, I was struck again by the rigid age and gender assignment (and association with the color pink) that was part of the social context when I entered the world. My feelings about pink signify my inherent rejection of the roles I observed assigned to my mother and the limits thus imposed. Interestingly, the alternative model of femininity I was exposed to at the time were nuns who had permission to be educated, intellectual, caring and could wear black. Although celibacy is a pretty steep price to pay.
On continued reflection I remember that I never bought my daughter one item of pink clothing, preferring jewel tones and bright primary colors for her to move through the the world in. This also fits with the historical timeline laid out in the article and this exercise is renewing my belief in social construction. For me these associations to pink are exceptionally hard to shake and I feel it firmly lodged in a remote part of my brain. The only pink I ever buy my granddaughter is clothing that contains images of a rude and empowered little girl pig named Peppa who she seems to adore.
I also associate the color pink wth Pepto-Bismol and breast cancer which in and of themselves are associated with a range of unpleasant occurrences. Yet on the other hand, and in again in the spirit of transacting with our environment, the article on Pink in Fashion History in my weekend bibliography mentions research that suggests the color pink, “has a marked effect on lowering the heart rate, pulse and respiration as compared to other colors”. The author goes on to suggest, given the uncertainty of our current context, the calming effect on our physiology may be a better explanation for the return in fashion to the color pink. I must confess that perhaps due to the texture of the sweater as well as the color, it did make me move a little slower and to feel more feminine which some days is just what I need to feel. When I took this selfie, again wearing pink, I feel myself softening up. So now when I come upon a garment that is pink I will know why I immediately reject it, take a breath and perhaps have a second look.
To see the reflections of others in fashion on the color pink I invite you to click below.
Pink in Fashion: AnOther’s Top Ten Quotes
Please continue to share yours.
Several years ago I had a revelation about pink. A ??conservative politician’s wife wore a hot pink suit on election night, an image that had stayed with me. In a workshop during a weekend meant to explore women’s menstrual health and experience, we were asked to think of an image that had given us a psychic charge. This is what came to me. While painting a picture of this "pink princess" image I realized the only way to get pink out of the small water colour paintbox I was using was to dilute red with white. Pink was watered down red, the colour of blood, of full-bodied womanhood. This fits the idea of pink being unfavorable for women as it connotes childhood, or an unwillingness or hesitancy to grow up. I’ve rarely worn pink since. And part of me wishes those pussy hats had been red, not pink, as a symbol of fully embodied womanhood. Bold, challenging, daring, red as a symbol of the power of blood in women’s lives.
That said, I am drawn to some of the pale pink pieces I’m seeing this spring.
Several years ago I had a revelation about pink. A ??conservative politician’s wife wore a hot pink suit on election night, an image that had stayed with me. In a workshop during a weekend meant to explore women’s menstrual health and experience, we were asked to think of an image that had given us a psychic charge. This is what came to me. While painting a picture of this "pink princess" image I realized the only way to get pink out of the small water colour paintbox I was using was to dilute red with white. Pink was watered down red, the colour of blood, of full-bodied womanhood. This fits the idea of pink being unfavorable for women as it connotes childhood, or an unwillingness or hesitancy to grow up. I’ve rarely worn pink since. And part of me wishes those pussy hats had been red, not pink, as a symbol of fully embodied womanhood. Bold, challenging, daring, red as a symbol of the power of blood in women’s lives.
That said, I am drawn to some of the pale pink pieces I’m seeing this spring.
I think it depends both on the shade of pink and the garment or accessory. And, I guess, on one’s own connections and memories. Do you know Jenny Joseph’s poem ‘Warning’? Not pink but purple.
https://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/jenny-joseph/warning/
I see two kinds of pink – the soft, frilly pink and the bold, get-outta-my-way hard pink. I recently allowed myself to fall in love with bold pink. I haven’t embraced the soft palette yet, for all the associations that go with it, but it’s only a matter of time. Colour without context is a goal.
I see two kinds of pink – the soft, frilly pink and the bold, get-outta-my-way hard pink. I recently allowed myself to fall in love with bold pink. I haven’t embraced the soft palette yet, for all the associations that go with it, but it’s only a matter of time. Colour without context is a goal.
I’ve never really been drawn to pink, but a few years ago I bought a bright pink raincoat. The reactions to that coat from other people fascinated me. Sometimes I received smiles that I would not have had I been wearing any other color. Most often the coat bothered people, even pissed them off. When first meeting people, even before introductions, I would be told in a forceful way how much that person detested pink. A couple of times they would refuse to tell me their names because the color was so offensive. "I hate pink" would be the only words I’d get before they’d rush away. I thought it was funny. I’m not terribly fond of pink and pink certainly doesn’t represent me. It’s just a color. Reaction to color can be profoundly visceral.
I’ve never really been drawn to pink, but a few years ago I bought a bright pink raincoat. The reactions to that coat from other people fascinated me. Sometimes I received smiles that I would not have had I been wearing any other color. Most often the coat bothered people, even pissed them off. When first meeting people, even before introductions, I would be told in a forceful way how much that person detested pink. A couple of times they would refuse to tell me their names because the color was so offensive. "I hate pink" would be the only words I’d get before they’d rush away. I thought it was funny. I’m not terribly fond of pink and pink certainly doesn’t represent me. It’s just a color. Reaction to color can be profoundly visceral.
I was never ever allowed to wear pink as a child. My parents rejected it as anti feminist. I got to wear brown and yellow and my brother’s hand me down clothes, in primary colours.
Hot pink is my happy colour. It makes me feel alive, dynamic and vibrant. Am I drawn to it because I was deprived of it as a child? I’m not sure. But I let my daughter wear all the pink she wanted when she was a toddler, and she really isn’t into pink now. She much prefers blue and purple.
I was never ever allowed to wear pink as a child. My parents rejected it as anti feminist. I got to wear brown and yellow and my brother’s hand me down clothes, in primary colours.
Hot pink is my happy colour. It makes me feel alive, dynamic and vibrant. Am I drawn to it because I was deprived of it as a child? I’m not sure. But I let my daughter wear all the pink she wanted when she was a toddler, and she really isn’t into pink now. She much prefers blue and purple.
I like pink but only in a bright shade…. OK that is fuchsia. Pastels wash me out.
This blouse looks indeed soft on you.
Greetje
I like pink but only in a bright shade…. OK that is fuchsia. Pastels wash me out.
This blouse looks indeed soft on you.
Greetje
I still cannot bring myself to wear a blatant pink (no matter where on the Pantone array it falls). I wear color accessories, but still wear the entire range of the rainbow … of black. part of me might be afraid … the other part … well, it’s afraid too. Trying hard to change it up, but I slowly push my boundaries daily.
My style evolved that way. One small risk at a time.
I still cannot bring myself to wear a blatant pink (no matter where on the Pantone array it falls). I wear color accessories, but still wear the entire range of the rainbow … of black. part of me might be afraid … the other part … well, it’s afraid too. Trying hard to change it up, but I slowly push my boundaries daily.
My style evolved that way. One small risk at a time.
Stunningly beautiful image. You look fabulous, you really do. Makes me want to wear (that kind of muted) pink. For my colouring pale blush pink is a fantastic neutral so I will continue to wear it.
I personally don’t feel in the slightest bit insecure about my politics or my ideas with respect to gender, sexuality and so on, so I don’t feel any need to shy away from pink, and I’m not going to be shamed out of wearing it if I feel like it. I dislike magenta, bubblegum and fuchsia pinks, but that is because they don’t work for my colouring, which is on the muted side.
Wendy
P.S. I forgot to add that my girls (now adults) never wore pink and to this day both dislike pink. One did play with Barbies though. But in a totally non-stereotypical way, interestingly.
Wendy
Just today my older daughter and I were having conversation with my younger daughter, explaining how "everyone can wear anything, anycolor and play with any toys she or he prefers". I had tons of conversations like that just couple years ago and I must say I felt proud when I heard the older speaking. On the other side, I’m not the one to choose their favourite color, am I? I would always choose red or blue over pink, but if they insist, it is fine with me. I have a dirty shade pink cotton sweater I like but it would be even better in gray or blue.