Remember way back when, combing pink and red would have been a huge no-no?
Somehow, somewhere, a fairy colour Godmother came along sprinkled magical fairy dust in our eyes and we became immune to what were previously referred to as "clashing colours".
Remember when black and blue were bad?
Not anymore.
Brown and black meant you were colour blind?
Now it just means you're super chic.
And red and purple meant you were one of those ladies from the Red Hat Society?
Those ideas are so old fool school!
In fact, it is hard to find colours that you can't mesh together if you are really clever and bold.
Like this stunning image below…the only thing you risk is making a huge impact.
So which colour combinations still scare you?
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None scares me! But I def. was taught the “rules” about black and navy, black and brown, et al. Phooey on them, as they say in French. I love all the combos you’ve shown, and you look fab in pink/red.
Magenta and orange are two that I’ve started seeing together that I never would have before. I don’t really wear either color but they work surprisingly well together.
Also- people tell me pink and brown go together but I still don’t see it!
Love this fun post, Suzanne!
Yes, I know about those “rules” but I’m not a follower of them at all! Pink and red are wonderful together, I love a colour clash and I can’t think of any that scare me! Great look, loving that jacket. xxx
Rules are for fools especially anything that restricts any use of colour. Like you wisely say everything works when you’re clever and bold.
Love red with pink and that stunning image at the end. Your outfit rocks. xxx
I love, love, love the purple shirt with the red skirt. I saw a picture of Dita Von Teese in a magazine once mixing red and purple, she looked phenomenal! Out with the rules!
P x
NONE! but you all know that by now!
I love pink and red, and I’m totally familiar with the “rules” you’re talking about. I also used to think Red Hat Society when I saw red and purple together, but with “Radiant Orchid” being THE color and everything (whatever that means), I’ve seen the purple paired with plenty of red in really fresh ways.
I also wanted to tell you I’ve found a VINTAGE shop in Nashville that immediately made me think of you. It’s not a thrift shop like those I’ve frequented before. It’s a true vintage shop, categorized by color. And I’m in love. I tried this oversize knee-length pink overcoat. I felt so glam. But it was $240. I’m going to have to save up. I’m talking vintage dresses, sequined fabulous things, and racks of worn-in leather jackets. I could spend hours in there. Too bad I couldn’t find any steals as great as your estate sale “red carpet” gowns!
<3 Liz
Oh Liz….that really does sound like my kind of shop. That overcoat sounds DIVINE! And Pink! perfect for you. Do they ever have sales? The shops around here often do. Also I find that if I go in often enough they start to get to know me and will be willing to negotiate on the prices a bit more. You need to take your camera next time and take some photos!
My theory has always been if you see it together in nature, you can wear it on your body. So I don’t think there are too many color combinations that scare or concern me. However, I did go through a neon phase back in the 80’s/90’s and, well, I don’t think I can go back to that.
I didn’t think pink and red would work, but you’ve convinced me I’ve been brainwashed as I really like what you’ve done. The colour rules are idiotic. Do what feels good and strikes you on the day. I’m not the Queen of Brights, by any means, but I have been a colorful babe in the past, and I think anything goes. Xo
None! Love seeing all my friends who share this thought! Xoxo
‘Blue and green should never be seen’ Ha! I remember that when I was 12, I can wear clashing colours on my dresses, no problem but I am absolutely rubbish at mixing separates (which is probably why I wear dresses so much!) you look stunning x x x
Give me all the colors!!! I’ve read in older books the rules against red and pink and black and navy. How silly.
Isn’t fashion a funny thing? It’s amazing how one season something can seem so beautiful and worth lusting over, only to look hideous the next. It just shows how easily we are influenced by what we see. I wonder what we would dress like if there were no fashion houses dictating the trends. Having no rules can really unleash one’s creativity.
love the post! I love that fashion “rules” can be broken. =D
xo,
nancy
I love the way pink and red look together and you mixed them just perfectly! I think fashion is all about breaking the rules and pushing the limits!
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca
I am not scared of ANY colour combinations!!!
I especially LOVE pink and red together, and pink and orange is another fave.
Whoever came up with this dumb ass colour rules needs a poke in the eye! XXX
I am not scared of ANY colour combinations!!!
I especially LOVE pink and red together, and pink and orange is another fave.
Whoever came up with this dumb ass colour rules needs a poke in the eye! XXX
I love seeing pink and red together; it’s one of my favorite combos!
I love your look. Very elegant. 😉
Take all the color, makeup and general styling rules and toss them out the window. Color is personal. The most interesting combos don’t follow the rules. Coordinating colors is art. Great post!
blue hue wonderland
I fear no color combo! I love pink and red together, especially when they are bright. And you by the way look fabulous in those two colors!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
I am a huge fan of color and I am warming up to pink with red/burgundy. I still struggle with blue and black. Some colors I don’t wear much together is red/green because of looking to holiday.
Great post to remind us that rules are meant to be broken 😉
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
What an interesting post! I usually think of the trends/combinations that I thought were wrong, but now I keep on wearing them and it feels so funny!
Hope you are well and happy!
Lots of kisses
Angelina – http://www.just-angelina.com/
I guess that’s fashion! But yeah at one point it used to be that clashing colours would result in grimaced faces. But now it’s acceptable and actually seen as being fashion forward to successfully ‘clash’ colours. Blue and black is a interesting one as I remember in my retail days having a conversation with a rep from Balenciaga about how the black and blue pieces weren’t as popular as others. They said that on the continent, particularly in France, blue and black have been worn together for quit some time. But in the UK a lot of people still follow the old rule of not wearing the 2 together.
You are right about the magenta and orange. I think they would look best on someone with dark skin.
You would know Vix ; )
The jacket was a thrift store purchase : )
Ooooh…I bet she looks brilliant in it.
ha ha! yep.
Good theory!
Neon’s are tough. I don’t really do them.
Colour does reflect our mood so well when we dress. No doubt why I have so many different colours in my closet.
Ha! how absurd! Blue and green are one of my all time favourite combos.
So very true.
It is funny because when I paint or create an illustration I go back time and time again to the same colours. It’s not good. I need to challenge myself more to work with some I’m not accustomed to.
You’re a great rule breaker Nancy : )
You definitely know how to do that Rebecca : )
You are great at working pink into everything.
ha ha! smart arse ; )
Red and green is probably one of the hardest combos to pull off.
Those Frenchies have always been so ahead of the curve : )
Haha <3 This is awesome and highly informative, because I really didn't know any of those things were faux pas, so I'm pretty sure I pissed off/annoyed a number of people back when those things were supposedly not cool. I dunno. It takes too much effort to live up to some fashion gurus standards. I like the freedom to do whatever I want and if it doesn't live up to someone's weird fashion "code" then so be it. ^_^ That being said, I think you look awesome in pink and red (though I don't think you should care even if I didn't think so.) 😉 <3
- Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Haha <3 This is awesome and highly informative, because I really didn't know any of those things were faux pas, so I'm pretty sure I pissed off/annoyed a number of people back when those things were supposedly not cool. I dunno. It takes too much effort to live up to some fashion gurus standards. I like the freedom to do whatever I want and if it doesn't live up to someone's weird fashion "code" then so be it. ^_^ That being said, I think you look awesome in pink and red (though I don't think you should care even if I didn't think so.) 😉 <3
- Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Haha! This is awesome and highly informative, because I really didn’t know any of those things were faux pas, so I’m pretty sure I pissed off/annoyed a number of people back when those things were supposedly not cool. I dunno. It takes too much effort to live up to some fashion gurus standards. I like the freedom to do whatever I want and if it doesn’t live up to someone’s weird fashion “code” then so be it. ^_^ That being said, I think you look awesome in pink and red (though I don’t think you should care even if I didn’t think so.) 😉
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
I still have problems letting go of these -indeed very silly- ideas. But I have a top in bright pink, red and orange and it is brilliant. Have to do more like this. Thanks for reminding me. I kpnow know what to do with those fantastic new brown booties.
Greetje
Forgot to say you look fantastic in those jeans with the lovely colours on top. Great outfit.
Another great combination and look, Suzanne. Very feminine and pretty.
My mother always said that red and green clashed. And she had a zillion of other no-no’s like that. A few days ago my husband remarked (when I suggested a purple tie on his green shirt):”Green and purple? Noooo!”
Ofcourse all depends on the exact color. There are numerous browns, reds and so on. With a blueish undertone, with a yellowish undertone, light, dark, pale, intense. That makes all the difference. I can imagine e.g. certain greys and specific browns that would look like sh*t together, but in other ‘tones’ they might be a wonderful match.
Rules like our mothers used are way too general and rigid!