Black, whites and neutrals have always been a wardrobe staple but one thing I didn’t realise until recently was just how much certain pastels have become a staple too. Pastels, for me, scream spring time, and the second the blossom flowers and the spring sun starts to shine I’m painting my nails in cornflower blue, pastel pink and the softest coral – but pastels are not just for one season, oh no! In the last couple of years, I’ve started to wear the shades more throughout the year, be it in splashes of clothes, trusty accessories, or a new nail shade – so I delved into the fashion world of pastels, and it turns out I’m not alone…everyone loves pastels!
Pastels are fast becoming the new neutrals and I think this is because they’re so easy to wear. Softer pastels are a great way to inject a little colour to an outfit and they suit every skin tone. I am a black clothing girl through and through, my wardrobe is predominately darker shades but I’ve embraced pastels without realising.
The easiest way to start wearing pastels is to start with your nails. Manicured nails are a great way to add a soft hue to an outfit and with so many different brands available on the high street, you can pick up a range of shades to experiment with before you find your favourite. When it comes to wearing pastels on my nails, I stick to mint green, nude and lemon drop yellow. I like that they’re a little different from your standard soft pinks so they end up being quite noticeable, especially if you’re wearing black or white.
Another way to inject all things pastel to your wardrobe is by accessories. I love accessories and I have more bags and shoes than I can currently store. I’ve found some of my favourite pieces in super affordable high street stores, which will carry me through all seasons. I tend to look for block colour bags which you can dress up or down, and I love if the strap is a little different too. My bag of dreams at the moment is a cornflower blue beauty which I can’t wait to pair with a big woollen coat in the winter but until then, it works perfectly with white linen for the summer. A bag is one of those accessories that will be with you for a long time, so if you’re thinking of dabbling your toes into the pastel-pond, definitely think about a bag first.
Sticking with accessories, jewellery is a great way to introduce colour to your everyday as you can buy so many pieces with beautifully coloured stones. I love wearing various rings, and the Sterling Silver Lemon Quartz ring from jewellerybox has been my go to because it just catches the light with it’s hint of lemon. Jewellerybox also have some beautiful drop earrings with pastel coloured mother of pearl, such as these pink ones.
When wearing pastels in clothes I find I personally stick to dresses, kimonos or tops for my pop of pastel but there are so many ways to bring statement pastels to your wardrobe. Try block colour culottes, peg-leg trousers, or skirts with a plain top. Or, swap that around and go with a pastel top or cover up with jeans. A lot of my dresses are in pretty pastels shades of pink, soft green and creams, all colours I can then carry through the year and layer up with jumpers or duster jackets.
Adding sugary tones has never been easier with the high street awash with choices, you just need to decide where you’re going to start – and trust me, Summer is the best season to play around with these fun colours, let’s all dress like cakes on an afternoon tea stand!