For a few seasons now, we have seen beautiful lemon, mint, peach, pale pink and powder blue hues around. A few years ago (2016) Pantone named two pastels the "colour of the year" – They couldn’t pick just one, so named both Serenity Blue and Rose Quartz. Pastels are back on trend, and here to stay for a long time. Going all pastel though makes you feel either washed out, or like a Girl headed of to the Easter Parade, so follow these tips and adopt some pastels that will keep you on trend and ladylike.
If you are a beginner in the world of pastels, then stick to the basic minimalism. Use just a few pastel coloured garments in the outfit, and mix with Neutral Colours. Think of the perfect balance, and mix pale green or pastel mint with Navy, Grey or Beige tones. Mixing with Neutrals will make the pastel piece pop. One of my personal favourites is popping Peach / Apricot with Grey.
Generally, go for pieces with clean and sharp lines, which places the emphasis on the shape rather than the pastel shades. If you can’t do without some fancy details, you’re best going with lace for adding the drama to your pastels. Many designers use pastels for lace pieces, creating a real poetic impressionism: whether it’s a dress, top or skirt, lace works well with pastel shades.
You can never go wrong wearing pastels with black or white separates. You can either wear pastel skirts with white or black top and complete the look by adding cool sandals or platform shoes. Adding a Pastel to Black or White outfits will jazz up your persona.
For Racewear you can go for the dress kept to a very simple line dark neutral, or black, then go for a real head turning headpiece, matched to the colour of the Shoes and Bag. All the attention is on the Pastels, but the overall impression is certainly not overly sweet and girly.
This post includes affiliate links - suggestions of items I've hunted out on the Internet for you. If you see anything you like, click the links and decide to buy the suggestion, then the retailer will give me a little commission (maybe even enough to buy a latte) to thank me.
The headpiece illustrated with this outfit is from www.dress-2-impress.com. Click Here for Headpiece.
Earrings: Esberry. Click for Earrings.
Dress: A.L.C. Click for Dress (International).
Eyeshadow: Huda Beauty. Click for Eyeshadow (USA). and for Eyeshadow (in UK).
Lipgloss: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipgloss (International).
Bag: Accessoryo. Click for Bag.
Nail Polish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.
Shoes: Dolce Vita. Click for Shoes (International).
One of the most alluring ways to nail down the pastel trend is the pastel colour blocking. Thus, you can confidently combine pastel pink with pale lemon, blue with mint green, creamy orange with purple, or again follow Pantones selection of Pastel Blue and Pink.
Without any exception, all pastel colours work great with each other and you can even mix and match more than two pastel shades in one outfit.
Bubblegum pink, and Radiant Orchid has been a recent pink/purple hybrid for fashionistas.
It’s also fun to wear pastels with darker, or brighter shades of the same colour to create a monochromatic style. By pairing bright and pastel shades of a colour in your outfit, you’ll add personality, and move confidently out of 'Easter Parade' territory.
The Headband is: Two for Joy Creations.
Click for Headband (International).
Dress is: Karen Millen. Click for Dress (UK) or also available for the (USA).
Earrings: Cuoke Miracle. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow: Hoomuss. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lippy (International).
Bag: Leesun. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Varnish: Sally Hansen. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Porte & Paire. Click for Shoes (UK).
The headpiece illustrated with this outfit is from www.dress-2-impress.com Hat Hire. Click Here for Hat Hire (UK).
Dress: Ted Baker. Click for Dress (International).
Earrings: Cinsionze. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow: Clinique. Click for Eyeshadows (UK).
Lippy: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lippy (USA). or for in the (UK).
Clutch Bag: Leah Ward. Click for Bag.
Nail Polish: O.P.I. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Click for Shoes (International).
Dress: Theia. Click for Dress (International).
Floral Hatinator: House of London Hats. Click for Hatinator (International).
Earrings: Gem Stone King. Click for Earrings (UK).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (UK).
Eyeshadow: Dior. Click for Eyeshadow (USA) or for Eyeshadow (UK).
Bag: JNB. Click for Bag (International).
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (International).
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish.
The Fuschia Floral headpiece illustrated with the outfit is www.dress-2-impress.com Hat Hire. Click Here
Jumpsuit: Zhivago. Click for Jumpsuit.
Earrings: Chic Bijoux. Click for Earrings.
Lipstick: Clinique. Click for Lipstick.
Eyeshadow: Clinique. Click for Eyeshadow.
Nail Varnish: Essie. Click for Nail Varnish.
Bag: Girly Handbags. Click for Bag.
Shoes: Karen Millen. Click for Shoes (UK) and from Karen Millen (USA).
The Hatinator Hat: Etsy. Click for Hat
Dress: Shoshanna. Click for Dress (USA).
Earrings: Plato H. Click for Earrings (International).
Eye Shadow: Sephora. Click for Eye Palette (International).
Lippy: Anastasia Beverley Hills. Click for Bag (UK) or from Bloomingdales (USA).
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (International) or from Bloomingdales (USA).
Nail Varnish: CND. Click for Nail Varnish (USA).
Headpiece is: Gorgeous Hat Company. Click for Headpiece (International).
Dress is: Self Portrait. Click for Dress (USA).
Earrings: Novica. Click for Earrings (International).
Eyeshadow: Pat McGrath. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Lippy: Rare Beauty. Click for Lippy (USA).
Bag: Nina. Click to see Bag (USA).
Nail Polish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish (USA).
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (International). or from. Bloomingdales (USA).
The Headpiece with this outfit is: Gorgeous Hat Company. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Dress: Undra Celeste. Click for Dress (USA).
Earrings: Aoboco. Click for Earrings (International).
Eyeshadow: Estee Lauder. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (International).
Clutch Bag: Charming Tailor. Click for Bag (International).
Nail Polish: Essie. Click for Nail Polish (USA).
Shoes: Sam Edelman. Click for Shoes (USA).
I adore the below outfit for a day at the races. A long A Line skirt, or dress in a Bold Floral print is the perfect fit for a day at the races, or formal wedding, and in a print that also features darker shades, you can bring those colours in to darken the outfit in other pieces too, like the shoes or jacket.
All over pastels can look very flat and washed, especially on light toned skins. Adding in the accessories in deeper colours, picked out from the colours on the dress, adds pops of colour and creativity to the outfit.
The Headpiece is: Etsy. Click to see Headpiece (International)
Dress: Coast. Click for Dress.
Earrings: Chic Bijoux. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow: No.17. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Mac. Click for Lipstick (UK).
The Bag: Leah Ward. Click to see Clutch Bag.
Nail Varnish: O.P.I. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Kurt Geiger. Click for Shoes.
The headpiece with the outfit is: The Gorgeous Hat Company. Click for headpiece (International).
Floral Dress: Leo Lin. Click to see Dress (USA).
Earrings: Linawe. Click for Earrings (International).
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lipstick (International).
Eyeshadow: Sephora. Click for Eyeshadow (USA).
Bag: Jimmy Choo. Click for Clutch Bag.
Nail Varnish: O.P.I. Click for Nail Varnish.
Shoes: Staud. Click for Shoes (International).
The Headpiece is: Sophie Young Click to see Headpiece.
The Dress is: Hope for Flowers. Click for Dress.
Earrings: Gemmance. Click for Earrings.
Eyeshadow Palette: Dior. Click for Eyeshadow.
Lippy: Charlotte Tilbury. Click for Lippy.
Bag: Nina. Click for Bag.
Shoes: Aje+. Click for Shoes.
Nail Polish: O.P.I. Click for Nail Polish.
The Floral Hat: Etsy. Click for Hat
Dress: Ted Baker. Click for Dress (USA). Dress (UK).
Eye Shadows: Dior. Click for Eye Palette (USA) Eye Palette (UK)
Lippy: Dior. Click for Lippy (USA). Lippy (UK).
Bag: Gina Bacconi. Click for Bag.
Shoes: Jimmy Choo. Click for Shoes (USA). Shoes (UK).
Nail Varnish: Chantecaille. Click for Nail Varnish (USA). Nail Varnish (UK).
I love the fashion-forward combination of a futuristic metallic with candy pink, for friends and family attending weddings.
The metallic trend is going nowhere fast, but no one wants to go over board with their metallics anymore than they do their pastels (unless you're the bridesmaids under strict instruction to do so!). With both Pastels and Metallics being so on trend currently, and with neither being something you want to wear head-to-toe, worn half and half is a marriage made in heaven.
The Headpiece with this outfit is: Dress-2-Impess.com. Click Here for Headpiece (International).
Earrings: Swarovski Store. Click for Earrings.
Dress: Self Portrait. Click for Dress (International) also available at: Matches (UK) or available for: the (USA)
Eyeshadow: Tom Ford. Click for Eyeshadow (UK).
Lipstick: Cle De Peau. Click for Lippy (UK).
The Bag is: Milisente. Click for Bag.
Nail Varnish: Rimmel. Click to see Nail Varnish.
Shoes: LK Bennett. Click for Shoes (UK).
Below is a Gallery of other Internet Finds for adding Pastels to your wardrobe in small doses.
View: Jacquemus Pleated Ombre Skirt (International). Knitted in Italy from semi-sheer cotton-blend in a beautiful dégradé effect, this 'Helado Longue' skirt has a wide, flexible waistband and gentle pleats that create movement.
View: Vince Maxi Wrap Floral Dress (International). Vince's dress is cut from lustrous satin blended with LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose for added softness. Printed with painted bouquets against a 'Pale Dew' background, it has a wrap front with a plunging neckline and adjustable ties.
View: Kobi Halperin Floral Dress (USA). Showcasing a whimsical floral print, Kobi Halperin's Trace peasant dress is designed with a V-neck, self-tie belt, and tiered skirt.
View: Zimmermann Fall 22 Kaleidoscope Printed Dress (International). and also at: Harvey Nichols (UK).Crafted from a blend of linen and soft silk, this billowing style is embellished with beaded trims and decorated with a whimsical print by Scottish artist Anita Inverarity.
View: & Other Stories Pleated Dress (UK) Made from Recycled Polyester. Printed sleeveless midi dress with a plissé pleated finish. Featuring a laser cut, frilled neckline.
View: LK Bennett (UK) and also available at: John Lewis (UK). Easy to wear in an A-line silhouette, this knee-length dress by L.K.Bennett is available in either Mint or Pink. A chic, smart dress with collar and puff sleeves.
View: Bebe Pink Mini Dress (International). Add drama to your look with this sexy scuba dress that has tiered ruffles cascading from one shoulder and a shimmery crystal-trimmed mock neck.
View: LK Bennett Viola Shoes (UK).A stand-out court shoe, the Viola courts are pretty in pink. Crafted from vibrant watermelon pink satin, they have a pointed toe, bow detail across the front of the foot, a sleek silhouette and a leather-covered stiletto heel.
View: Leo Lin Floral Dress (USA). LEO LIN "Nellie" belted silk-linen midi dress in a sunflower print
View: A.L.C Pleated Renzo Dress (USA). Also available in other pretty colours.
View: Phase Eight Powder Blue Jumpsuit (UK). This pastel blue jumpsuit features woven silver thread detail, an embellished waistband and falls to a pleated wide leg.
View: Self Portrait Belted Bouclé Dress (International). Self-Portrait's green midi dress features a bouclé tweed bodice with beaded buttons, then falls to a pleated chiffon skirt outlined with floral lace.
View: Goddiva Mint Bird Print Dress (UK). Bird print wrap style dress with tie waist, midi length amd kimono sleeves.
View: Phase Eight (UK). Designed with a dramatic head to toe frill detail, the Cassie Dress is a style statement for your formal events this Summer. Cut in a sleeveless silhouette, this midi length dress is finished with an adjustable buckle belt to define your figure.
View: Green Ash Mint Plaited Headband (International). Super pretty plaited headband in one of Pantones Top Colours for 2021 - Green Ash. Perfect headband for Spring 2021. Will we still be making Zoom calls then, or back out and about? Either way this headband will keep any fashionista photo ready.
View: Dune Malibu Crystal Shoes (UK). Elevate your special occasion or wedding guest outfits with these pastel sandals. They're a statement choice that's complete with cross-over straps and crystal embellished heels.
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