Here's how to wear pink and red together (2024)

Here's how to wear pink and red together (1)

LIKE NAVY AND BLACK or purple and green, pink and red is a colour combination with a marred reputation.

As prescribed in the unofficial rulebook of sartorial guidelines, wearing red and pink together has long been considered a major fashion faux pas. It was long believed that hues that sat opposite each other on the colour wheel were ‘complementary’, and therefore made for a chicer outfit when paired together. However, the sister shades are actually two of the easiest colours to combine and — when styled well — pink and red make for a powerful, punchy combination that will elevate and add fun to your outfit.

In recent years designers have begun to see the benefits of the once-shunned colour combination, with Jacquemus, Giambattista Valli and Blumarine sending optimistic collections drenched in the colours down the runway. Accordingly, pink and red is making its way into the mainstream, slowly beginning to shed the shackles of its stigmatised past.

If you want in on the controversial trend yourself, below BAZAAR breaks down how to perfectly pair the two tones to prove that fashion rule-breaking never looked so good.

How to wear pink and red together?

1. Colour block

One can never go wrong with colour blocking — especially when it comes to these sister shades.

Given the colours can appear visually similar, blocking a deep cherry shade against a bubblegum or watermelon pink is a great way to highlight their harmony without having them appear too alike.

Ensuring the colours are clearly separated by a geometric line further differentiates them from each other for a chicer, more put-together look.

Here's how to wear pink and red together (2)

2. Pick a hero colour

If you’re still on the fence about breaking a fashion guideline, why not begin by just dipping your toe into the pink and red trend Instead of opting for a full, half-an-half ‘fit, make one colour your statement, opting for accessories or accents in the opposite shade.

It works with either red or pink as your hero, as evidenced by these inverted looks from Giambattista Valli’s spring 2022 Ready to Wear collection.

Here's how to wear pink and red together (3)
Here's how to wear pink and red together (4)

3. Choose your tone

As with any other colour combination, you want to choose shades of pink and red that complement each other.

If you are going for Valentino vibes or shades of fluro or fuschia, balance it with a bright or electric red. Alternately, pair deep wine and maroon shades with pastel and pale pinks.

Here's how to wear pink and red together (5)

4. Accessorise

Another way to incorporate the pink and red trend into your sartorial roster is through smart accessorising. You can start by small, adding subtly patterned scarves or red and pink jewellery, before working your way up to more statement-making pieces.

If you have a pink outfit, why not opt for a scarlet hat or shoes? Or, for a red outfit, select peach statement earrings or a candy-coloured scarf.

Here's how to wear pink and red together (6)
Here's how to wear pink and red together (2024)

FAQs

How to wear pink and red together? ›

The best part is that mastering the pink and red combo is easy. Keeping a 50:50 ratio of pink to red pieces is the best way of maintaining aesthetic balance, shockingly. If you've got a hot pink dress and a crimson bomber jacket, have your shoes one colour and your bag the other.

Can you wear pink and red yes or no? ›

Pink and red may seem like an unlikely color combination, but they actually look great together. Red and pink sit next to each other on the color wheel, which makes them analogous. Analogous color combinations are often fool-proof and have a low contrast.

What does pink and red mean? ›

Both red and pink represent love. The color red represents heat and passion, while the color pink represents romance and charm. Pink is made up from a combination of red and white which is where it gets some of its characteristics from. The deeper the pink color, the more passion and energy it radiates.

What color compliments pink? ›

Like yellow, warm-toned gold, bronze, or brass accents pair beautifully with pink walls or furniture. Blogger Sydne Summer paired brass accents with a vibrant pink velvet couch in her living room, using plenty of white and lucite accents to enhance the fresh, light-flooded space.

Why don't red and pink go together? ›

You may have been told that pink and red together is a colour pairing no-no. Well, we're here to shatter that myth. These tones sit next to each other on the colour wheel and, as such, they can make an impactful combination. Dark shades will add some drama - just look at this Mylands' Theatre Land™ No.

What is the best color to wear with red? ›

Neutral Colors are Your Best Friend: Black, navy blue, and grey provide the perfect neutral backdrop to allow red to take center stage. A red sweater with dark wash jeans and black boots creates a bold yet sophisticated look. Denim Duos: Red and denim are a match made in casual heaven.

Why is pink not considered red? ›

In optics, the word "pink" can refer to any of the pale shades of colors between bluish red to red in hue, of medium to high lightness, and of low to moderate saturation. Although pink is generally considered a tint of red, the colors of most tints of pink are slightly bluish, and lie between red and magenta.

What does wearing all pink mean? ›

As the mix between red's passion and white's purity, pink symbolizes love, nurture and compassion. It evokes feelings of comfort, warmth and hope. Pink is also a sign of good health with the phrase “in the pink.” It symbolizes success in the expression that “everything is rosy” and happiness with “tickled pink.”

Can you wear pink shoes with red? ›

Yes, pink and red go together, and not just for Valentine's Night. This colour, like red, has cool undertones, so they work together very well. Pink shoes worn with a red dress, when paired carefully, is trendy, powerful and packs a punch.

Is red complementary to pink? ›

As with any other color combination, you want to choose shades of pink and red that complement each other. Grab yourself some paint sample cards and play around with different combinations, like burgundy and blush; cherry red and marshmallow pink; coral and hot pink, to see which one suits the vision you have in mind.

Is red a flirty color? ›

Perhaps not surprisingly, red also symbolizes passion, love, and desire. These associations could explain why people wearing red are consistently rated as more attractive by the opposite sex.

Is red or pink for love? ›

Red and pink are colors we often associate with love. Red is symbolic of more of a romantic type of love, while pink represents friendships and family love.

What is the best colour to wear with pink? ›

Sophistication in dark tones: Pairing your pink outfit with cool, dark colors like black and navy exudes sophistication and a sense of safety. Heating Things Up with reds and oranges: To turn up the heat, consider mixing your pink outfit with fiery red or vibrant orange for a bold and eye-catching combination.

What color is the opposite of red? ›

If you take a look at red on the color wheel, you'll see it is directly across from green. In this article, we are going to look at green as an antonym, or “a word opposite in meaning to another,” of red.

What color if you mix red and pink? ›

What Color Do Red and Pink Make with Paint? If you mix red and pink paint together, you'll get a lighter red or a darker pink, depending on how you look at it. Most people refer to this color as raspberry pink or rose pink.

How to decorate with pink and red? ›

Combine related pink and red shades for a calm, tonal scheme

For a harmonious interior, use soft, related shades to achieve a sense of tranquillity. Choose pink-based neutrals such as the powder-like Masquerade for a comforting living space that exudes warmth.

Does pink go with wine red? ›

Burgundy & Pink

This combination can be perfectly executed through fashion and interiors. From light to medium shades of pink, you can easily pick up a number to go with burgundy. It's best to avoid neon and striking shades of pink, as it will become a battle of the spotlight!

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