How To Wear Pink: A Man's Guide

An enlightened man no longer thinks of pink as something that only comes cut with an A-line hem or replete with buttons that fasten the wrong way around. And yet, it’s still a colour that’s criminally underrepresented in most wardrobes.

“The main worry for guys is that they could look effeminate in pink,” says Mr Porter contributing style director Dan May. “But no colour is off limits. It’s just the way you style it and the confidence with which you pull it off.”

The likelihood is that your wardrobe already has a rosy tinge. You’ve probably got a pink shirt, which you may or may not call ‘salmon’ and break out only for weddings. Tucked in a drawer, there’s a pair of pink socks that you got for Christmas and only air on laundry day. Perhaps there’s a cerise-and-black striped tie that you wear, despite not being convinced you like it, because someone once said it suited you.

And that’s a shame. Because deployed properly – rather than as an afterthought – pink is personality. “Wearing pink automatically tells people you’re a confident character,” says Tony Cook, a stylist who has dressed the likes of A$AP Rocky.

Its absence from most outfits means it stands out in yours and, so long as you pick hues that suit your skin tone and that sit pretty with the rest of your outfit, it’s a statement that flatters.

A History Of Men Wearing Pink

Though these days Barbie’s outfits come in pink and Action Man’s don’t (admittedly, pink doesn’t exactly make for great camouflage), it’s a modern gender split, says May. “Until the 20th century, toddlers of either sex were normally dressed in white, but when colours were used, boys were dressed in pink.”

The thinking was that since pink was closer to red and therefore a strong colour, it was inherently more masculine. It wasn’t until some spurious mid-century neurology was misunderstood to mean women preferred redder tints that Barbie began to opt for the hot pink paint job on her convertible, while Action Man donned fatigues.

The notion of men in pink has oscillated in and out of acceptance ever since. In the shape of a pink Oxford shirt, it’s become a preppy staple. For fans of the blazer and pocket square, it’s a summer look seemingly impervious to trends. It has even influenced the football casuals crowd, who would reach for pink polo shirts to stand out on the terraces.

And now, as nostalgia reigns supreme and sportswear-clad subcultures’ styles swing back into fashion, pink is once again a look worth tapping. Here’s how.

The Right Pink For Your Skin Tone

The key to making pink work for you is ensuring it’s the right one. “Picking the wrong shade can wash out your skin tone and work against your complexion,” says Cook.

As with so much in fashion, you need to work in opposites. “For paler skin, a stronger, deeper tone works best. A pale or pastel pink, the kind usually associated with Oxford shirts, complements a post-holiday glow and darker skin.”

But that doesn’t mean men with Ron Weasley’s complexion should reach for fuschia tailoring. “You can’t really wear a great deal of pink if you’re very light-skinned,” says May. “It will wash you out. A lot of sartorial rules can be broken, or at least bent if it’s done in the right way, but that one’s for certain.”

Colours That Work With Pink

Every colour has a Morecambe to its metaphorical Wise. For camel, it’s navy; for green, it’s grey; and for pink it’s no different. While a whole range of hues is up for grabs, rogue tones look best alongside darker blues and browns, but can also pair with white for a striking high-summer statement.

Similar Colours (Easiest To Pair): Reds and mauve pinks.
Contrasting Colours (Harder To Pair): Blue violets and yellow greens.
Complementary Colours (Hardest To Pair): Blue greens.
Recommended: Grey, beige and white, along with darker shades of green and blue.

5 Ways To Wear Pink

Pink As An Accessory

Aside from picking the right shade, wearing pink requires steely self-esteem. If you’re more of a shrinking violet, experiment with smaller, subtle pieces that are worn away from the skin such as a pocket square or a flash of pink sock.

Pink In Winter

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to restrict wearing pink to the summer months. In winter, rosy layering pieces offer contrast, peeking out from underneath heavier outerwear, and will inject some colour into wardrobes that have a tendency to steer as sober as the colder seasons’ cloud-bruised skies.

Pink At Work

Despite appearing punchy, pink won’t struggle to slot into what you already wear. In tailoring, it plays especially well with other traditionally masculine colours – there’s a reason the salmon shirt and navy suit has become a modern power dressing staple. Grey also works well in formalwear or, for a more contemporary approach, black and pink together nod to the grunge trend.

How Can You Tell If Your Clothes Are Good Quality?

Quality is what everyone wants in their clothing. If only it was easy to define what quality clothing is these days. Quality might appear to boil down to construction and cloth. But which cloth? Does it matter where a garment is made, or by whom? And are these really factors worth paying more for?

A quality assessment now goes beyond the garment itself to include where, how and the conditions in which your new purchase was made too. What does it say of a new suit, for example, that it was made in China, and not a specific post code in London?

At a time when society is producing more clothes that at any point in human history, you have to assume that much of the surplus is sub-par, or at least made from cheaper fabrics in parts of the world where labour costs less. And not every brand is going to be forthcoming on matters of supply chains or mark-ups. True quality assessment, in other words, makes more demands of you to do your own investigations.

Thankfully, the information you need to make educated purchases is increasingly accessible – and, if you can’t find it, demand it from a maker before you buy their products. It pays to be skeptical. In the meantime, here’s your primer for buying quality clothes in 2019.

Understand Fabric Choice

The standard line has it that natural fibres are always superior to synthetics. And certainly they have admirable qualities – cotton is naturally breathable; it’s warm in the winter and cool in summer; depending on how it’s woven, it can be hard-wearing. Wool is highly insulating relative to its weight. And so on.

This is one reason why natural fibres are typically associated with quality. But this is also something of a cliche, along with the idea that man-made synthetics are always itchy, sweaty and cheap. As a rule of thumb, natural fibres are more agreeable to wear and care for, but note that with textile technology as advanced as it is, many of the latest man-made fibres outperform natural ones in terms of protection and comfort.

Turnbull & Asser

“Quality becomes in part a matter of what you need the garment to do and how it best can do it,” says Becky French, creative director of Turnbull & Asser, which is using Tencel in its esteemed shirts for the first time this season.

“It’s become a very complex issue – non-natural fibres, for example, are harder to recycle. And yet natural fibres aren’t necessarily the most sustainable either,” as, for example, the intensity of water and pesticide use involved in cotton production suggests.

Quality cloth, in other words, should feel good, wash and wear well, and provide good service. But also be aware that for certain fabrics, that will be the same depending on whether it’s a ‘cheap’ version or a ‘luxury’ one. Your designer sweatshirt, for example, could be made from the same kind of loopback jersey as one that costs a tenth of the price.

Does Where It’s Made Matter?

Some nations have historic reputations for making high quality clothing, and/or for clothing design. It’s why the country of origin labels ‘Made in the UK’ or ‘Made in Italy’, for example, act as brands in their own right, and are closely associated with quality.

And certainly some countries’ long expertise still counts with regards to certain specialisms: England for traditional shoes, Scotland for knitting cashmere, Italy for its ready-to-wear tailoring, Japan for its raw denim, and so on.

Turnbull & Asser’s Gloucester factory

Of course, from a sustainability stand-point of air miles travelled, it helps if you happen to live in the same country. But, again, while some companies benefit from their country of origin label – Italy was among those who overturned an EU proposal to have all labelling state ‘Made in the EU’, while countries less well associated with quality clothing were all in favour of the change – this is not to say that other nations are incapable of making quality products, as the number of ‘designer’ garments now made in Turkey, for example, arguably testifies to.

“You can find fantastic quality clothing now made in China,” notes tailor Tony Lutwyche. “They’ve long had the technology to make whatever standard of garment is requested of them. The difference is that certain country of origin labels provide confidence as to how workers in that supply chain have been treated.”

Wool tends to be more expensive than synthetic fibres

Lutwyche also says that the laws governing country of origin labelling are far from stringently applied: something almost wholly made in one country can claim to be have been made in another if the finishing is done there – and finishing may amount to little more than sewing on a few buttons.

Don’t Get Caught Up In Brand Names

Of course, some brands have a long tradition of making a specialist kind of garment, and their expertise in doing so adds value to their product: Barbour is well-known for its waxed cotton jackets; Sunspel for its underwear; Red Wing for its boots, and so on. But while some brands are built over many years, others become so typically through advertising spend – and that’s money not then invested in, for example, product development.

The minimal check lining of a Burberry jacket

“Wearing certain brands can make you feel better about yourself but they’re not automatic pointers to quality,” warns Lutwyche. “The value of any brand changes with each generation – and even really big brands experience long phases of low quality.”

It’s often because big brands are failing to provide a quality version of a type of garment that a gap opens in the market. Given the access to our wallets provided by the internet now, these gaps are often filled by un-established names you’ve probably never heard of, yet what they make can be of the highest standard, especially if they focus on something specific.

“Every brand tends to claim it does what it does to the highest quality,” notes French. “It’s down to the consumer to consider what a brand stands for and, importantly, whether it can really back those claims up. But it’s down to brands to earn our trust.”

Looking For The Details

“We live in a world in which some consumers are happy to spend £3 on a latte but are reluctant to spend more than £2 on a T-shirt,” says Lutwyche. “But you can’t do that without really considering the economics. And at that price, the manufacturing process is clearly going to be having a negative impact on someone in some part of the world. For that reason alone it pays to invest in quality.”

Sure, it does mean forgoing the thrill of the regular purchase and it’s easier said than done for those on a budget – but buying better, less often, is a wise policy if you want your clothing to be both ethical, and of a high technical standard. Assessing whether it’s the latter is a question of forensic analysis of the kind most of us are reluctant to do in the buzz of the moment.

Selvedge denim jeans complete with a chainstitched hem

Is the stitching regular, straight and neat? Are seams overlocked or taped – the kind of detail one expects in a more expensive product? Have button holes been neatly finished or are there loose threads everywhere? Does the fabric feel good in the hand – substantial or lightweight or smooth or textured as you so wish? It’s personal, of course, but has the garment been cut to fit well? And, something you’ll discover only later, does it wash well, without shrinkage, distortion or fading? Your experience wearing it might well determine whether you return to that brand again.

“Naturally, the more you spend, the more you should have high expectations of construction and cloth, and quite rightly,” says Lutwyche. “Shopping for quality is actually really hard. You have to think about it and not fall for the hype. You have to put some work in. But it’s worth it.”

The All White Outfit Guide For Men

Dressing head-to-toe in one colour has its advantages. It’s simple, eye-catching, saves time in the morning and you can walk out of the house absolutely certain that everything you’re wearing matches. All-black outfits have been a menswear staple for decades and minimalist dressers swear by the understated power of navy blue. Tonal dressing with greens or even pastels has been popular recently.

But white? All white?

Usually, that’s left to nineties boybands, Simon Cowell loafing about a Mediterranean villa or P Diddy at peak bling. It’s a big look, and one that’s easy to get wrong. Even the High Priest of Menswear himself, David Beckham, looked sub-awesome (sorry, Dave) when he got married in an all-white suit.

So why the hell is it trending? The SS19 catwalks were dusted with all-white outfits, from sportswear to tailoring and amazingly, it looked good. Futuristic but comfortable, stark but in a good way. So how do you do white-out menswear without looking like you’ve seen a ghost?

6 Style Tips For An All-White Outfit

There Is A Grey (and Cream, and Beige) Area

First up, when we say all white, that includes off-white. Otherwise, you’ll look white as a sheet. To give your all-white outfit some depth, think chalk, ivory, stone, ecru and neutral tones which can be especially flattering for those with an alabaster complexion.

Chris Hobbs, MatchesFashion.com senior style editor, suggests you play by the same rules as when wearing double denim. “Keep the lighter colours at the top and go darker on the bottom. A white T-shirt, cream shirt and tan trousers is always a winner.”

All-White Doesn’t Have To Mean All-White

To avoid looking like a crime scene investigator, you can break things up with contrasting shoes, belts and accessories.

“Steer clear of black as it’s too much of a clash,” says Hobbs. “Instead, opt for tan or darker browns.”

Zara

Choose Your Fabrics Wisely

As ASOS head of menswear Nick Eley says, “There are no set rules when it comes to all-white, but playing with different textures and fabrics is an easy way to soften the edges.”

Contrasting tough, matte fabrics such as denim with smooth cottons and linens is a good way to differentiate your pieces and avoid the onesie look.

Fit Is Everything

There’s a careful balance to be struck when wearing all-white. Skinny fits are best left on Johnny Borrell circa 2006, while anything too oversized can end up feeling a bit ‘mum on a family holiday.’

“Stick to regular fits or experiment with slightly exaggerated shapes and layering for a more interesting silhouette,” says Eley.

You Are Allowed To Cheat

If the thought of all-white fills you with dread, you can con your way to a similar effect while incorporating a well-placed stripe or some subtle colour.

“If I’m allowed to cheat slightly I might wear a Breton top, depending on the weather,” says Hobbs. “I would also consider khaki to be an almost-neutral.”

Pick Your Timings

The American rule of no white after Labor Day is a little strict for our liking. Instead we stick to the (made-up) guide of not wearing white if there’s snow on the ground.

Equally, going all-white means there’s absolutely no hiding spills and stains, so steer clear if you’re eating spaghetti or indulging in red wine.

3 Failsafe All-White Outfits

Smart

“Unless it’s a Vegas wedding, I’d avoid a true all-white suit,” recommends Eley.

For formal summer occasions, stone or ecru coloured suits are much more wearable and flattering, or try tonal separates instead. Pair a white jacket with light grey on your bottom half, or a stone-coloured top half with crisp white trousers – just make sure that both pieces are in a similar weight and texture of fabric with a decent contrast between shades.

Leave the tie at home and wear with an open-collar shirt or tee, which you can swap for a slim roll-neck in the autumn. Smarten things up with a neutral pocket square and a proper pair of shoes.

Smart-Casual

As is always the case with a smart-casual invite, it pays to analyse the dress code a little before stepping out.

All-white isn’t really suited to business casual settings, but it can prove an excellent choice for weekend outings where a little more effort than usual is required (think: the birthday drinks where you’re bound to bump into your ex).

A white Cuban shirt with ivory chinos and minimalist tennis shoes is an easy way to impress, though you could go high-low by tucking a pristine white tee into an ecru pair of tailored trousers, too.

Massimo Dutti

7 Modern T-Shirt Styles You Should Consider This Season

Summer in the northern hemisphere can at best be described as fickle, but there are a few certainties. One you can bank on is that there will be at least one week during which you call the supermarket freezer aisle your second home while lamenting the lack of quality T-shirts in your wardrobe, having soaked through your entire stock by Thursday.

Perhaps, then, you’d like to take a moment to familiarise yourself with our round-up of the seven modern men’s T-shirt styles all well-dressed man should consider this season.

From linen types for blokes conscious of sweating their bits off, to all-over printed versions for the braver, more intrepid dressers out there. Here’s to a long, hot summer.

The Linen T-shirt

Good news: you don’t have to own a yacht and some boat shoes to pull off linen – though it wouldn’t do any harm. The key with this fabric is not to get too bogged down by associations with affluent dads who wear trousers made of the stuff to kick back on deck. Instead, focus on the fact that T-shirts crafted from linen (or cotton-linen blends) will keep you looking and feeling cool throughout the hotter months.

Lightweight, breathable and quick-drying, linen is a lifesaver for men prone to overheating and excessive sweating. Both designers and the high street offer strong options, all of which can be styled up relatively effortlessly, seeing as they typically come in low-key, neutral shades.

Opt for a style in white, stone or beige to maximise versatility. These colours can be slotted beneath lightweight blazers in navy, grey or khaki for a sharp smart-casual look.

Equally, linen T-shirts team just as easily on their own with jeans or chinos at the weekend. Or you can pair with some charcoal tailored shorts for an on-point holiday outfit that shows you’ve put a little more thought into your look than the rest of your mates.

The Bold Colour Crew Neck

From James Dean to David Beckham, Marlon Brando to Ryan Gosling, the ubiquitous white T-shirt has long prevailed as the go-to style for men. Nowadays, however, there are so many more options available that slinging on a simple crew neck with a pair of selvedge jeans and a leather biker jacket needn’t make you appear the same as every other guy replicating the look.

A block-colour T-shirt, in either a striking primary shade or pared-back pastel, is the easiest way to experiment with different hues, add a point of difference to a look and tie an outfit together.

Unless you play fast and loose with your cash or you have a dry cleaner on speed dial, there’s little point in investing in big ticket names for any shade that might show up a stain. Instead, head to the high street where the likes of Uniqlo, H&M and Marks & Spencer are all turning out examples packing technology that helps the tees retain their shape and colour all summer long.

At the other end of the scale, labels such as Sunspel and James Perse have redefined the premium T-shirt, producing it in luxurious, super-soft pima and sea island cottons that are worthy of their higher price tag.

The Longline T-Shirt

T-shirt hemlines have been heading south in recent years, as oversized skate-inspired fits jostled for rail space with the classic crew neck. While exploded proportions of near dress-length are more than a little ridiculous, alternative cuts are a good way to get involved with trends such as Kanye-approved reverse layering.

It didn’t take long after designers such as Craig Green and Jonathan Saunders began experimenting with sportier, streetwear tees in thigh-skimming lengths for the high street to follow suit. Now, Topman, River Island, ASOS, H&M and co. are home to some of the best drop-waisted examples on the market.

If looking to get in on this style, just make sure you buy a T-shirt designed to be worn as such rather than simply buying up a standard cut in a size or three too big which will make you look like, well, you bought a T-shirt a size or three too big.

For the best effect, team yours with slim-fit jeans to capitalise on the elongated silhouette it creates. (Avoid skinny cuts, which create a ‘lampshading’ effect akin to a Weeble Wobble.) Equally, throw one on under a cropped T-shirt or bomber in a contrasting colour for a fresh riff on lightweight layering.