Trend map: How to wear hot pink
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The color pink -- and I’m not talking about dainty, pale cupcake frosting pink - -has been deemed a statement shade for fall. Milly, Christian Lacroix and Oscar de la Renta are all showing flouncy mini frocks in look-at-me-now shades of fuchsia.
But can you pull it off if you’re not a 24-year-old party girl carrying a flute of Champers? Or Holly Golightly? Heck, yes. Fuchsia is actually an extremely flattering color and it warms pale skin tones and contrasts well with darker complexions. The key to making this vibrant color work for you is to pair a hot pink dress with decidedly adult shoes like sophisticated black pumps or strappy nude stilettos. A simple, black or metallic clutch works best too.
I love how Cate Blanchett electrified the stage at a screening recently in a classic fuchsia blouse. She paired the shirt with a black pencil skirt and so the pop on top didn’t extend to her lower half. Blanchett also opted for muted lips and minimal eye make up.
If the idea of drawing a lot of attention to yourself makes you quiver, you can access the trend with an accessory. Right now, I love this studded, pink suede evening bag from Temperley London ($720 at netaporter.com). It comes with a detachable gold chain and can double as a shoulder bag or a clutch. Hey, clutches are hot for fall too. That’s like killing two trends with one credit card statement.
Oh, and keep in mind that a woman in hot pink can’t be a bore. You had better have some zingers if you plan to swan around in fuchsia. Crib from Ms. Golightly -- or rather, Truman Capote, who wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’s:
Holly: ‘It should take you exactly four seconds to cross from here to that door. I’ll give you two.’
Holly: ‘I’m not hotfooting it after Jose, if that’s what you think. Oh no. As far as I’m concerned he’s the future president of nowhere.’
Holly: ‘Ah... Do I detect a look of disapproval in your eye?
Tough beans buddy, ‘cause that’s the way it’s gonna be.’
Photo credit, Blanchett: WireImage