In the last few years, there has been a new colour invading high fashion and personal accessories: the colour pink. Pink lovers are finding new ways to incorporate their favourite colour, using pink as a fashion statement that seems to represent a whole outlook on life, even become an obsession. How did this trend start?
The story of Pink - Surprisingly, prior to World War II, the colour pink was more often associated with baby boys than girls. Red was viewed as a masculine colour, and baby boys were expected to wear the diluted colour red. Baby girls were often dressed in blue! However, things began to change starting sometime after the second World War, and pink began the rise to feminine dominance that would continue for decades.
The 1950s saw the rise of pink as a feminine symbol, as women returned from working in factories to working in the home. The booming post-war economy led to a rise in make-up sales and a corresponding association of the colour pink with women. Pink crept into high fashion: there was an "all pink" sequence in the Audrey Hepburn film "Funny Face." The phrase "Think pink" appeared in a musical number in the film and began to be used as a marketing phrase in magazines. The decade also saw the growing popularity of Barbie dolls, who were often dressed in the colour pink. The 1960s added to the trend with the "Pink Panther" films, which gave an ironic, cheeky twist to the colour. The 1980s gave us the song "Pink Cadillac" and films like "Pretty in Pink." The 2000s saw the rise of the musician Pink, who started her career with a shocking pink hair.
What Started the Current Pink Obsession? - The real cause of the current pink obsession may be the 2001 film "Legally Blond." In the film, Reese Witherspoon stars as Elle Woods, a law student with a pink-clad Chihuahua who manages to overcome the sexism of her cruel boyfriend and the legal system by pluckiness and a love of the colour pink. The film, which depicts how a woman can simultaneously be intelligent and sexy, was so popular that it was even turned into a Broadway musical. The popularity of pink climbed as women began to embrace the colour as the perfect symbol of modern femininity.
Pink in the Home - Those in search of a rosier world can now find a wide range of ways to decorate their homes in fashionable pink things. Pink can be the dominant colour scheme for a room, or it can be used as an accent colour to bring a little fun to the everyday. In the bedroom, pink blankets and sheets create a cosy haven, with pink fuzzy slippers waiting at the foot of the bed. In the bathroom, pink toothbrushes and shower curtains can create a sense of pampering, and pink clocks and rugs create elegant touches for the living room as well. Pink has even invaded the kitchen. Now pink kitchen accessories are available, from pink kettles and toasters to a pink microwave oven!
Pink Motoring - Those who love pink do not just want it for the home, however. Pink car accessories are now the rage, with pink flashlights, key chains, and even car mats for pink floors. Travellers heading overseas may decide to purchase pink luggage, which not only makes a statement but is easy to spot at the airport.
A Psychology of Pink - A "pink princess" is the nickname given to women devoted to the colour pink. Pink princesses embrace pink as a whole identity, a personal statement and an outlook on life. Edith Piaf's song "Ma Vie En Rose" translates well for these pink lovers: "My Life in Pink." The colour offers a wonderful combination of associations: on the one hand, pink is soft and flirty, but it is also elegant and fashionable. The growing field of colour psychology makes even more dramatic claims about pink, arguing that the presence of pink even has the power to soothe. Studies suggest that even criminals may behave better when surrounded by the colour pink.
The rise of pink may be driven by these new psychological explanations. Pink lovers are doing more than just choosing a few fashion accessories. They are hoping to "see the world through rose-colored glasses," to use the power of a positive colour to bring more happiness to their lives. - 30289
The story of Pink - Surprisingly, prior to World War II, the colour pink was more often associated with baby boys than girls. Red was viewed as a masculine colour, and baby boys were expected to wear the diluted colour red. Baby girls were often dressed in blue! However, things began to change starting sometime after the second World War, and pink began the rise to feminine dominance that would continue for decades.
The 1950s saw the rise of pink as a feminine symbol, as women returned from working in factories to working in the home. The booming post-war economy led to a rise in make-up sales and a corresponding association of the colour pink with women. Pink crept into high fashion: there was an "all pink" sequence in the Audrey Hepburn film "Funny Face." The phrase "Think pink" appeared in a musical number in the film and began to be used as a marketing phrase in magazines. The decade also saw the growing popularity of Barbie dolls, who were often dressed in the colour pink. The 1960s added to the trend with the "Pink Panther" films, which gave an ironic, cheeky twist to the colour. The 1980s gave us the song "Pink Cadillac" and films like "Pretty in Pink." The 2000s saw the rise of the musician Pink, who started her career with a shocking pink hair.
What Started the Current Pink Obsession? - The real cause of the current pink obsession may be the 2001 film "Legally Blond." In the film, Reese Witherspoon stars as Elle Woods, a law student with a pink-clad Chihuahua who manages to overcome the sexism of her cruel boyfriend and the legal system by pluckiness and a love of the colour pink. The film, which depicts how a woman can simultaneously be intelligent and sexy, was so popular that it was even turned into a Broadway musical. The popularity of pink climbed as women began to embrace the colour as the perfect symbol of modern femininity.
Pink in the Home - Those in search of a rosier world can now find a wide range of ways to decorate their homes in fashionable pink things. Pink can be the dominant colour scheme for a room, or it can be used as an accent colour to bring a little fun to the everyday. In the bedroom, pink blankets and sheets create a cosy haven, with pink fuzzy slippers waiting at the foot of the bed. In the bathroom, pink toothbrushes and shower curtains can create a sense of pampering, and pink clocks and rugs create elegant touches for the living room as well. Pink has even invaded the kitchen. Now pink kitchen accessories are available, from pink kettles and toasters to a pink microwave oven!
Pink Motoring - Those who love pink do not just want it for the home, however. Pink car accessories are now the rage, with pink flashlights, key chains, and even car mats for pink floors. Travellers heading overseas may decide to purchase pink luggage, which not only makes a statement but is easy to spot at the airport.
A Psychology of Pink - A "pink princess" is the nickname given to women devoted to the colour pink. Pink princesses embrace pink as a whole identity, a personal statement and an outlook on life. Edith Piaf's song "Ma Vie En Rose" translates well for these pink lovers: "My Life in Pink." The colour offers a wonderful combination of associations: on the one hand, pink is soft and flirty, but it is also elegant and fashionable. The growing field of colour psychology makes even more dramatic claims about pink, arguing that the presence of pink even has the power to soothe. Studies suggest that even criminals may behave better when surrounded by the colour pink.
The rise of pink may be driven by these new psychological explanations. Pink lovers are doing more than just choosing a few fashion accessories. They are hoping to "see the world through rose-colored glasses," to use the power of a positive colour to bring more happiness to their lives. - 30289
About the Author:
Ian talks about new automobile trends like pink car mats alternatively known as rose accessoires auto
