Eye-Popping Pink for Summer 2008
How to Shop the Fuchsia Trend with This Season's Hottest Color
Turn on your TV these days and is seems that almost everybody is wearing pink. From newsreaders to celebrities, men and women; we are awash with this summer's hottest shade. Not a wishy-washy pastel color, but a strong, vibrant eye-popping pink, which really gets you noticed.
In a feature in this week’s Net-a-Porter online fashion magazine, women are urged to shop the trend in “Fuchsia Perfect.” According to this high-end retailer, fuchsia is this summer’s on-trend shade, to be worn on its own or to brighten up the grayest of outfits.
Shades of Pink
Admittedly pink has always been a summer color, but this year it has toughened up. Pastels have been upgraded to shades of fuchsia and bubblegum, with Eve magazine June 2008, urging women to “think fuchsia and not baby”. With passionate pink '50s-style satin prom dresses or eye-popping pink belts and accessories, this is one of the strongest and loudest looks of the season. Love it or hate it, pink is here in a big way!
“Lately fashion has proposed that fuchsia pink become a classic color,” says Karen Homer, in her book Things a Woman Should Know About Style. Although the jury is still out, according to Homer, expect to see pink joining the ranks of creams, blues, and blacks in terms of perennial fashion favorites.
The wearing of pink this season is no longer a female domain. Pink has transcended into men’s shirts, tops and ties, even pants; which sorts the men from the boys, when it comes to having the courage to wear it! In 2008, it seems, real men wear pink!
How to Wear Pink
- Brighten up neutrals and muted tones by accessorizing with pink. Add a bright summer scarf or sunglasses or edgy pink accessories. Look magazine of 2nd June 2008, features a to-die-for vibrant pink art deco belt (£25) which looks more Fendi than Top Shop.
- Whilst wearing any bright color can be a minefield of potential style errors, you can play it safe by adding a touch of fuchsia to this season’s muted accent shades of gray and mink.
- Make a dramatic statement with Cavalli or Missoni maxi dresses with dreamy, supersized prints, or go for an everyday plain pink Burberry shift or a floral tea dress. If you are going to do florals then do them big and bold this season, brightly colored, to get you noticed. Think Missoni, think DVF, think oversized painterly or romantic prints; anything smaller, says Homer, “is very domestic!”
- Pink is complementary to most skin tones and there is something fun and alluring about pink. Believe it or not it is easy to coordinate with almost every color in your wardrobe, whether it be brown, blue, black, tan, white or cream.
- One of the strongest looks is a dash of pink added to monochromes. A wide pink belt or a fuchsia bag or some hot pink (circular) summer shades. A flash of fuchsia worn with classic black and white is hard to resist. Gucci has some powerful pinks designed to complement its crisp monochromed range, from it’s bubble gum-colored Cocoon summer coat (£1,950) or pink patent peep toes (£450), the ultra glamorous label’s new collection is “one of the most attractive and wearable,” claims Eve.
The Perils of Pink
However, just because you are feeling colorful does not allow you to forget the dressing rules of style. Be honest with yourself in the mirror; no matter how fashionable it may be, if that fuchsia ruffle-dress makes you look washed out, or reveals every lump, then think again — wear it in moderation. According to Homer, "the only colors that have a chic and camouflaging effect are black, white and beige." Whilst wearing color makes sure you get noticed, ensure that your figure stands out in all the right places too!
If you are feeling a bit cautious about being "in the pink," then simply give a nod to the trend by wearing it on your arm (a clutch?), around your waist (a wide belt?), on your head, or on your feet!
