Formerly the preserve of little girls' toys and kitsch women like Barbie and Legally Blonde ’s Elle Woods, pink has recently been reclaimed by designers, magazine makers, and makeup artists who have recovered it from the clutches of sickly sweet gender stereotypes and positioned it at the centre of their aesthetic.
With artists like Molly Soda and Arvida Byström, who originated on Tumblr and are now Instagram personalities, and feminist printed publications such as BBY and Mushpit using pink as part of their playful branding, SS17’s catwalks also saw the colour worn in every shade, from fuchsia to rose via peach and magenta.
Balenciaga paired ruched raspberry with lavender, while Valentino opted for a block colour-clash against red. Chloé served its signature dusty hue, and Rihanna’s Fenty x Puma collaboration showed just how nicely carnation and amaranth suits silky sportswear.
Interestingly, as young people reject gender binaries, a colour traditionally associated with hyper-femininity is increasing in popularity. Just why have creatives embraced pink? Well, people are wearing what they want, how they want: men are wearing makeup, women have shaved heads... it’s 2017, for God’s sake and people won’t be categorised. It could also be a backlash against the minimalism of normcore from seasons past – the maximalist Gucci effect is in full force, with feminine pieces artfully thrown together in a party of prints, colours, and textures – and which colour is more fun to play around with than pink?
Whether you’re taking your cue from Tumblr’s dreamy aesthetic or you’re looking for a colour to amp up your get-up, click through to see our favourite pink pieces available now...
Channel your inner Bowie with these faux-suede beauties.
Public Desire Blu Squared Toe Block Heel Ankle Boots, £39.99, available at Public Desire.
Red and pink are the ultimate colour combination - and this cheeky slogan is a fave from Lazy Oaf's Spring drop.
Lazy Oaf Bored Already Cardigan, £75, available at Lazy Oaf.
Get your '70s Starman on with this electric-pink high-waisted pair.
Zara High Rise Trousers with Zips, £39.99, available at Zara
Coloured faux fur is here to stay and this is the cutest of them all – just look at the '60s rounded shoulders and glittery striped ties!
Shrimps Adelaide Coat, £595, available at Shrimps
Did somebody say Prada? & Other Stories does brilliant knitwear, and this stripy number has every shade of pink you need.
& Other Stories Striped Cotton Sweater, £45, available at & Other Stories
You can rely on London design duo Marques'Almeida for a good distressed denim hemline – pair with the co-ord skirt for extra kudos.
Marques'Almeida Pink One Shoulder Top with Front Slit, £235, available at Marques'Almeida
The hugely anticipated Vetements collaboration with Manolo Blahnik produced these chic babies. That's right, kitten heels are back, and you'll be wearing them in pink satin.
Vetements + Manolo Blahnik Satin Slingback Pumps, £1,115, available at Net-A-Porter
Gucci 's Alessandro Michele is the master of putting women in grown-up pink. Wear this silk shirt tucked into brocade trousers or under a gingham dress.
Gucci Silk Crêpe Shirt, £725, available at Gucci
Zara is the place to go for your hit of pink, as this frilly-sleeved shirt shows. The ties at the wrist make it even better.
Zara Frilled Top, £29.99, available at Zara
How much does this strawberry embroidered bag remind you of the one you had as a child?
Shrimps Embroidered Adela Bag, £375, available at Shrimps
These bubblegum-pink trousers were made for box-fresh trainers and a classic mac for spring workwear done right.
Warehouse Stitch Seam Trousers, £42, available at Warehouse
This skirt is a triple threat: a bias cut is always flattering, the asymmetric hemline sets it apart from your average bottom-half, and it's in the colour du jour.
Topshop Unique Evelyn Asymmetric Pleated Silk Crêpe de Chine Skirt, £155, available at Net-A-Porter
Wear these knitted socks with black patent brogues for a flash of colour.
Warehouse Waffle Knit Socks, £5, available at Warehouse
Wear this raspberry piece XXL and under your long duster coat.
ASOS Oversized Hoodie in Pink, £20, available at ASOS
Leandra Medine schooling us on how feminine (the colour, the ties) and masculine (the shape) work together oh-so-well.
MR by Man Repeller Two-Tone Satin Loafers, £295, available at Net-A-Porter
Molly Goddard is the queen of feminine dressing – but you'd be mistaken to think she only uses tulle. This puff-sleeved beauty nips in at the waist, so is perfect teamed with black skinny trousers and flat pumps.
Molly Goddard Tessa Pink Top, £349, available at Molly Goddard
Refresh your floral dress with an asymmetric hemline and chunky white boots.
Topshop Floral Ruffle Midi Dress, £49, available at Topshop
J-Dubs' Pierce bags are the only ones to be seen carrying – see fashion week street style for more evidence.
J.W.Anderson Pierce Medium Leather Shoulder Bag, £1,295, available at Matches Fashion
This dress ticks so many boxes: embroidered sleeves, gingham, peplum hem, and – you guessed it – pink.
Ragged Priest Gingham Peplum Dress, £50, available at Topshop
This polished front-flap handbag pulls any look together, while the classic hue and boxy shape will stay relevant for decades.
Mansur Gavriel Posternak Top-Handle Leather Bag, £725, available at Matches Fashion
Low-key camo will be your winter-to-autumn transitional print – sport this jacket oversized, partnered with your favourite band tee.
Topshop Pink Camouflage Shacket, £49, available at Topshop
We love HADES melancholy messages, reading Anxiety, Bonjour Tristesse, Inner Privacy, and Inner Self. We'll take this blush number, with it's sentiment sewn on the heart.
HADES Unrequited Love Jumper, £180, available at HADES.
Mules will be your staple spring footwear, and this hot pink pair - handmade in Portugal - were inspired by woven baskets. Cute.
A. Andreassen Elskling Leather Mule, £140, available at A. Andreassen.
We're hooked on &Other Stories' spring drop, and this fuchsia tie-sleeve blouse is breathing some much needed life into our workwear wardrobes.
&Other Stories Knotted Cuff Blouse, £39, available at &Other Stories.
Russell & Bromley's classic loafer gets a 2017 refresh with these metallic pink beauties.
Russell & Bromley Penny Loader, £195, available at Russell & Bromley.
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