The parallel universes of interiors and fashion have always shared plenty of common ground. When palm prints are in favour on lamps and armchairs, it seems inevitable that the same motif will pop up on dresses and skirts.
It’s the same story with fabrication. For instance, corduroy is a major catwalk story this season so, of course, it’s only a matter of time until Made.com et al start offering sofas in the same textile.
On the matter of colour, things get more interesting. Not least because what counts as a neutral in our wardrobes (see navy and oatmeal) is rarely neutral when splayed across our bedroom walls. Accordingly, when colour expert Little Greene debuted its coveted juniper ash paint — a dramatic hue of greyish navy — it was snapped up by those looking to create a dark, brooding effect in their lounges. And later by Ikea, which has made it the chain’s go-to colour. As a paint colour navy is a zeitgeisty choice. As a sweater colour it’s as classic as they come.
It’s from the same backstory that fashion’s current preoccupation with pale pink emerges. Having established itself as the unofficial colour of the year among on-the-pulse Londoners looking for a light but not twee palette with which to jazz up the spare room, powder or plaster of Paris pink is our new wardrobe neutral. Paint your bedroom with a pot of Farrow and Ball’s Pink Ground and you’ll find yourself with a interiors conversation starter that is far from unassuming. And nowhere more so than on Instagram, where discussions about the perfect shade of pink are as commonplace as Donald Trump memes.
On lightweight knitwear or as the base shade of your new winter coat, the colour works because it blends in beautifully.
As a result, shades of powder and blush are all over the shops this season with pink giving navy a run for its money as a seasonal classic. Among the most popular items in the hue are layering pieces such as roll necks and long sleeve T-shirts. Try putting one on under a sweatshirt in a contrasting hue — a charcoal grey or creamy shade of white is a good idea — and you’ll quickly understand why.
While navy is among the most complimentary of all neutral hues, there’s no denying that it can be a little dull when worn head to toe. A flash of pale pink on a cuff or a collar is a breath of fresh air.
To make it work for you, be careful to match with your skin tone. A washed-out pink will have the same colour-draining effect on a pale complexion, so seek deeper hues if you’re feeling pasty. Those with darker skin tones will have an easier time carrying it off. It’s also imperative that you regard this trend as a base layer. Your bedroom wall aside, few things look good in head-to-toe pink, so aim to incorporate accents of the shade rather than going the whole hog.
Greys and dark blues are fine companions for the shade but if you fancy pushing the boat out a little, give shades of ivory or, dare I say it, magnolia a try.
A pair of cream jeans worn with a pale pink sweater is the ultimate springtime in winter outfit. A corduroy skirt, worn with a silk shirt in a muted shade of rose, is another dead cert success.
Of course it’s when party season rolls around that this pretty palette could come into its own. Not least because it’s the perfect antidote to the inevitable sea of navy and black that is the standard cocktail party attire. Try teaming a fine gauge knit in powder pink under a delicate slip dress for a look that has much in the way of style kudos. Or seek out a metallic skirt — a silk slip works best — and team with simple sandals and chunky knit sweater in the perfect plaster of Paris hue.
Want more? Paint your whole house in the shade. There’s no shame in making a statement.
