Millennial Pink vs Revolutionary Red

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In the world of fashion, this season we’re witnessing a true clash of the titans. Red has always been a symbol of power and even rebellion. It has been featured in numerous collections, from those presented by Dolce and Gabbana to Jil Sander. Of course, in the wake of a very strange political climate, it’s no wonder the color has taken over. After all, it has always been a sign of rebellion, but it seems that right now, that ‘purpose’ is stronger than ever. It is obvious in the attire choices of Hillary Clinton, and perhaps even more obvious in the TV adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel,
The Handmaid’s Tale. The main theme of the novel which was written 1986 is authoritarian patriarchy, and for those who aren’t familiar, the handmaids in question are forced to wear long wide red dresses and cloaks – exclusively. Somehow, they come to own the color that is imposed on them, and it becomes a sign of silent rebellion. The adaptation comes at a time when the dystopian topic resonates truer than ever, which is probably one of the strongest reasons for such a strong comeback of this color, in all its different shades. Whether rocked in the form of monochromatic outfits or a single strategically placed accessory, it is both a timeless sign of femininity and female power.

Now, if you’re wondering about the right way to rock it, the answer is simple – however you want. There doesn’t seem to be the slightest risk of making a mistake when rocking red. You can go with an ultra-feminine bodycon dress as seen on the eternally fierce Sofia Vergara and make the most seductive impact ever. You can, of course, take a route that is both powerful yet modest, while incorporating two of the hottest trends – suits and the color red. Pantsuits are definitely back, and they’re not drab, dull or constricting. On the contrary, their place as one of the most powerful items in the land known as power-dressing has been given back to them, and when on the subject of power, it doesn’t get more fierce than true red. It makes a very strong statement – not only are women taking the ‘uniform’ from the boys, but they’re here to tell the world that this isn’t a man’s world anymore. Of course, it takes courage to wear such a conspicuous outfit, and you surely will be in head-to-toe red, but you can always start small. Use accessories such as bags to bring the vividness into your wardrobe. Australian women have found their favorites in the red bags so it would be smart to take their cue and find your go-to red bag supplier; it’s a good way to start the wardrobe revolution. Red suede ankle boots are also a wonderfully understated yet noticeable way to go, so go and find the boots that are made for walking. Pencil skirts, polka-dot dresses, coats, bags, even jewelry – everything goes, just make it happen. This is the year of red.

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Now, let’s talk about the seemingly fleeting millennial pink? For those who are still a bit unclear as to what shade of pink this actually is, well, there is no simple explanation. It has been rocked in the same way red is being now – tracksuits, hip New Balance sneakers, dresses, blazers, coats – you name it, Zara had it. It’s actually several variations of pink that go by the same name. It’s described as a softer shade that looks as if all the blue notes have been taken out, and later expanded to include a range of shades from beige with just a touch of blush to a peach-salmon hybrid, and it was the official Pantone color of the year 2015. To some it’s also known as Tumblr Pink and even Scandi Pink. The question that remains is – why did it experience such a surge in popularity, and what brought the invention of this particular set of hues in the first place? , According to The Cut, the intention of this hue is to emphasize the blurring of gender roles that has taken place in the 21st century. This hue (or multitudes of it) is a physical representation of an androgynous generation that refuses to be defined in limited gender terms. Boys, girls and undecided flaunt their pink garments proudly, even male celebrities. It’s the hue that tells us all gender barriers are broken and there is no such thing as a ‘girly’ or ‘masculine’ color anymore.

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On the one hand, we don’t think the powerful and ever-opinionated millennials will allow for it to fade in popularity quite as quickly, but on the other hand, they are part of the movements that are now battling larger injustices, including some of the gender-related ones, with extra issues added. So, it’s not as if the ‘purpose’ of millennial pink is being overshadowed. In fact, it seems that revolutionary red has welcomed everything the soft pink stands for. That is exactly why red trumps pink – it’s all-encompassing in meaning and timeless in appearance.

This is a guest blog post by Claire in Australia

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