Rethink pink: Why Rosy hues are set to be your autumn/winter go-to

Forget what you thought you knew about autumnal tones because this season pink is in – and not just on Wednesdays, Sarah Young writes

Dolce & Gabbana Autumn Winter 2016 line proves pink is out to dazzle in the seasons ahead AFP/Getty (AFP/Getty)

By common association, a fresh rosy palette is often measured in terms of its girlishness but this season designers are proving that pink doesn’t have to mean prissy. As expected, for many of us this is a shade fuelled by nostalgia and a time when Barbie girl dreams were at the top of the agenda but fast forward a couple of decades (or more) and the allure of pink is stronger than ever. It’s something you can expect to see a lot more of come autumn/winter but far from the saccharine visions it may once have conjured, this time round it’s repositioned itself as more stylish than sickly sweet.

Chanel Autumn Winter 2016 line complements pink with pearl (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

From blushing rose to bubblegum pink, the girly hue was seen in varying degrees on the runway but one thing designers did seem to agree on was its coming of age. Sure, it brought with it a flirting wave of femininity but also the opportunity to deliver a more grown up take on cotton candy clothing. At Chanel, Lagerfeld’s tweed suiting was reimagined in fuschia pink with padded boater hats, mulit-strand pearl necklaces and a frayed edge while Dolce & Gabbana opted for Disney glitter girl numbers, swathed in rosy spangles. For Alexander McQueen and Simone Rocha though, romance was the order of the day with subtle shades of blushing pink adorning ruffled dresses and embroidered eiderdown coats.

Alexander McQueen Autumn Winter 2016 line brings drama to an otherwise bubbly hue (Rex) (Rex Features)

Many women avoid wearing pink in fear of the stereotypes associated with it but this season we are afforded the opportunity to subvert those expectations. The first step to rethinking pink is to find your shade and while it’s often best worn when your bronzed or have naturally darker skin there are plenty of tones to suit pale complexions; just make sure to opt for something with a kick to avoid looking washed-out. For a more fashion forward, high-impact look commit to pink with a matchy-matchy ensemble and don’t be afraid to opt for graphic incarnations to help tone down the colour’s saccharinity. If you’re a little unsure, choose pieces that are refined such as tailoring or drip feed it into your wardrobe using accessories. This season it’s time to live la vie en rose.