How To Wear: Pink

Be honest: how many times have you watched the trailer for the upcoming, Greta Gerwig-directed Barbie movie, marvelling at the moment that Margot Robbie slips her feet out of those fluffy, satin mules? And just how long after rewatching it for the third time did you start wondering how you can integrate more pink into your wardrobe? Because, thanks to a combination of the blonde bombshell’s upcoming big screen appearance and a proliferation of rose-coloured pieces on the Spring/Summer 23 catwalks, pink is set to be everyone’s favourite colour this summer.

As influential as she is, Barbie can’t take all the credit for fashion’s current penchant for pink. It’s been trending since last spring when Valentino creative director Pierpaulo Piccioli unveiled an entire collection – that’s 88 looks spanning men’s and womenswear - conjured in a high-impact shade of fuchsia that was worn by everyone from Glenn Close and Anne Hathaway to Lizzo and Florence Pugh. Since then, the trend has become a movement, aptly named Barbiecore, and online searches for clothes and accessories in every possible blushing hue have skyrocketed.

So, how to wear it for now? Trust us when we say that there’s enough choice and variation to win over even the most reluctant, from androgynous, dusty pink tailoring and super-sexy cut-out gowns to wear-with-everything bubblegum-coloured sunglasses. Whether you pick one pretty piece that you layer with neutrals or go full immersion with a head-to-toe look, it’s a colour that naturally lends itself to fun – making it the perfect choice for sun-fuelled days. The only thing left to do, then, is to joyfully succumb to pink’s irresistible power, work out how it chimes with your own sartorial preferences and enjoy the instant dopamine boost it gives to you and your summer wardrobe.

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Off Duty

Day to day, relaxed tailoring in a dusty shade – see AERON’s minimalist trouser suit – will neatly offset the colour’s sweetest overtones with an androgynous vibe, especially styled with an oversized shirt or slouchy t-shirt. A gingham check whipped up into sleek separates has a retro, grown-up feel that can move from work to play - and looks great with denim if you want to give it a more low-key spin. And knit co-ords in playful shades bring an effortless sexiness while giving you double the styling options – wear them together or mix and match with your go-to wardrobe favourites.

After Dark

Chiming neatly with another of the season’s big-hitting trends, sheer, for evening play up pink’s pretty side with ethereal fabrics and delicate hues. If you want to wholeheartedly channel modern romance then look to the likes of Taller Marmo for irresistibly floaty, floor-length gowns or embrace Nensi Dojaka’s signature nearly-naked aesthetic, complete with carefully placed cut-outs and shimmering sequins, for a more sexy spin. Cleverly draped, barely-there fabrics can, depending on how daring you’re feeling, be worn with the very bare minimum underneath or layered up with a slip and oversized blazer while unexpected colour combinations – pink and bright red, say, will give your rosy hues a cool, contemporary edge.

Accessories

If you'd rather dip a tentative toe into the trend than fully immerse yourself, you’ll want to round out your look with pink accessories that Barbie would approve of. Sunglasses are your easiest way into the trend – retro-inspired acetate frames will add a playful twist to everything from tailoring to printed dresses. Bottega Veneta’s mini woven tote is a modern classic in any shade but its baby pink iteration is set to be your new, wear-with-everything summer staple. And crystals are just the thing to elevate the shade, whether you style Amina Muaddi’s embellished kitten heels with your wedding guest and party looks or embrace the Y2K appeal of a sparkling shoulder bag.

Words Emma Sells