With February comes Valentine’s Day and the start of the spring fashion season. This year, romance isn’t just in the air – it’s also taking over your wardrobe. Soft powder pink blossomed on the spring runways and is emerging as the front-runner trend for spring, meaning you can bring the romance past February 14th.
Moving on from the fuchsia-bright Barbie-core shade, designers, including Khaite, Simone Rocha and Bottega Veneta, have favoured a duskier, dustier, soft blush pink that’s decidedly more romantic.
![Cardigan, €176, Kitri](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2HV7344A55H6XKXRK3M22F34I4.jpg?auth=4503f04d3e9dc74d79643aa9571fe89b670de8c32bb7a8d00a39eb637e9a0579&width=800&height=600)
![Pointed courts, €69, Charles & Keith](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MFNSVOQAGNERFPLTBQMSKA7V5E.jpg?auth=19be66d0df209ec3045a8662d11a90a23715a69c631b8c91833e55ca97ee7ed4&width=800&height=363)
![Pink satin dress, €99, & Other Stories](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/4O5X6CTZJNFQDIHTFGGVQJMWZY.jpg?auth=3371fc71760a0eeba35a43962e2c993e2935833281e67312eee913cf4656b66f&width=800&height=1120)
![Blouse, €79, Arket](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2ZLQL4SNAJAI7HKVX3DE7QEAZU.jpg?auth=19d395aabc95b1f79c61dfb71e2f942387f8f27e6614579220d6089e04d1f7b6&width=800&height=1066)
Chanel showed tactile pink designs, with the fashion house utilising macramé, crochet and silky polo dresses in a soft, powdery tone. Leaning fully into the romantic softness of the shade, Rocha crafted ruffled tulle dresses in pink and wove the soft shade into her menswear offering with wide-leg trousers and floral-encrusted suiting.
Also embracing tailoring, Erdem and Emilia Wickstead proved pink isn’t just for frothy styles, showcasing clean-line elegant tailoring. Brandon Maxwell and Miu Miu also stuck to straight, sharp silhouettes when showcasing their interpretations of pink. The Italian fashion house Miu Miu paired a pink patent skirt with a white T-shirt for easy at-home re-creation.
An amped-up neutral with a feminine flourish, the gentle, pastel tone is super wearable whether you want to embrace Valentine’s Day or refresh your wardrobe for spring. This season, the catwalks are touting head-to-toe powder pink for maximum impact. But the soft shade pairs well with crisp white, pale-wash denim and steely grey.
Because the powder pink is such a pared-back pastel, veering on a neutral, it can be a stylish substitute for other muted tones such as whites or creams. An easy update for your work wardrobe that’s simple but elevated is swapping out your classic white shirt for a pink version. Pair it with grey, black or navy – or any colour you’d typically pair with white. Unexpected shades of camel, red or even butter yellow can all pair beautifully with the pale pink if you want to amp up your look further.
If you got on board the burgundy bandwagon during autumn, the good news is that the two shades make a chic pairing.
And if you prefer the less saccharine styling of soft pink, olive and khaki tones are other alternative combinations. Texture play is another way of keeping the sweet shade on the sophisticated side. Try teaming pink satin with sleek leather for a modern edge or balancing floaty tulle with rugged denim.
![Simone Rocha wove the soft shade into her menswear offering with wide-leg trousers and floral-encrusted suiting. Photograph: Ben Broomfield](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/7P4XXDNLZZD5LIDOHJ7SI2LBA4.jpg?auth=56cec187daa88344013d4fa8ae3db3c81adae769d20ddadbac02c41b02f6886f&width=800&height=1000)
![Scallop pink waistcoat, €128, Monsoon](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ZHB5LB3T6JCQTCNI3DWDY4AM2Q.jpg?auth=ae4a4a7fc8398f73888ea526e74908aba0bcb67ef59716076eff7c0f8c3c910e&width=800&height=1024)
![Wide-leg trousers, €128, Monsoon](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MUBWS5UFHZHKHPKJXASSWZCCY4.jpg?auth=e227dec4bc117e0aae62ee63308ece3f5df869dd0fbe1bf7f469dff006faafa6&width=800&height=1024)
![Blazer, €24, Penneys](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MQP3WX5FSZFJNIJWR3WM2YDG6Q.jpg?auth=a9dc07abf16288adeee0882b59ca508a41188d9d396bd708473c3cee053f1d1d&width=800&height=1066)
![Rotate: Copenhagen Fashion Week. Photograph: James Cochrane](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/A2U3WMZNGVGQPKN3TSMJ6B5UQM.jpg?auth=79531f5b3753db57868f39d0c972105988af5e833ae54dd4526a9c5a66b8b4fc&width=800&height=1000)
![Cotton collared shirt, €70, Autograph, M&S](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/NJZYDHG2LVHHFK4LUUIGQFOQ6M.jpg?auth=b583fd45cc379790f82c716ba1b38983484fb4034697b5968f9f1a4a4a0f81b9&width=800&height=1039)
Already flying into new-in sections across the high street, powder pink appears on everything from tailoring to coats, knits to shoes.
An easy way to cheat the feeling of spring when it’s still chilly is to opt for light-hued outerwear that gives a spring feeling without sacrificing comfort or warmth. Similarly, a chunky knit in this soft shade will provide the same cosy effect with new-season feels, making it the perfect transitional piece.
![Argyle knit, €49.95, Zara](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/RLZ7SDLSH5GARANMXWZS3IAE64.jpg?auth=a28da696c62dcc1c90bfc5ef696eebb97630f1bf5ad85053766114138e001f3b&width=800&height=1200)
![Double-breasted wool coat, €129, Zara](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/Z4OWHMUIFBG37POOPSDE4NELPQ.jpg?auth=6f89f5874260e3138e9e6baa558923bcb1ecf2a8c0c80a8e0e2a213fd3d3aaf4&width=800&height=1200)
![Crystalised Mary Janes, €275, Stine Goya, Macbees](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/DEE742TII5BXZCPX7KGSKCMSFQ.jpg?auth=11a3d7dd0d6cc50270d71d56fd823abe85ca73e85048425cfb03ed6ccbc7f285&width=800&height=321)
![Mesh ballet flats, €410, Dear Frances](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/WEX6ZAVQTND4HD5I3MHTCW6Z7E.jpg?auth=e463aeeeb12b0bdb555c8b10854da8906ac0e1cd000e582276777f478513d9be&width=800&height=258)
![Pink coat, €249, & Other stories](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/KTZ7EJKALRHL7PQ2WUV3CDL3PM.jpg?auth=453357cfc0a119f164db2638266d228f38c516772004ed69f1dabf521c2d4a75&width=800&height=1120)
![Knitted vest, €89, Cos](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/QHL4KZJV6BBY5EVRHORGDDA3N4.jpg?auth=a3c9e04915f8ece06cf679bf7e0d282aa1f7601224fa95571406a1885a69d4e2&width=800&height=1200)