Although pink is often associated with femininity now, especially in the West, the color pink was initially fashionable with both men and women of the European aristocracy in the 1700s. Interestingly, during this era, infants wore white regardless of their gender. People actually considered pink as a more “masculine” color since it was a lighter shade of red, a color associated with the military.
However, in the mid-19th century, men started wearing darker colors, so pink fell under the domain of women. At the end of the century, industrialization and mass production allowed pink to flourish as dyes became cheaper, and women from all classes could afford various versions of the color. In the 1950s, pink cemented its status as a girl’s color through branding and marketing.
Today, pink is again shifting in significance, moving away from its feminine connotation. Fashion historian Valerie Steele has stated, “There’s a shared recognition that pink can be pretty and powerful, feminine and feminist. Men are turning to it, too ? as (they did) in the 18th century. We’re re-framing pink.”
Sarah Kim For The Junior Times
1. Why was pink considered a masculine color during that time period?
2. What allowed pink to become more accessible to women of all classes?
3. What does Steele mean by "re-framing pink"?
1. Why do you think colors become associated with certain genders?
2. Do you think it is important for people to be able to wear any color regardless of their gender? Why or why not?
3. What impact do you think branding and marketing have on the way we perceive certain colors?
4. Why do you think pink is currently shifting in significance? What might be driving this change?
Although pink is often associated with femininity now, especially in the West, the color pink was initially fashionable with both men and women of the European aristocracy in the 1700s. Interestingly, during this era, infants wore white regardless of their gender. People actually considered pink as a more “masculine” color since it was a lighter shade of red, a color associated with the military.
