Pink and black outfits are the toughest way to wear pink this fall, sweet and sharp at once. I put pale pink cashmere, satin, poplin and beads with black leather, trousers and a blazer across five looks.
Trending this week1.2k
Pink and Black Outfits to Try This Fall
Rizzo leads the Pink Ladies in Grease (1978), and she dresses almost entirely in black. Clothes on Film points out that even in the cartoon opening titles, Rizzo strips off a pink polo neck in favor of her signature black. I think of her every time I put a pink knit next to black leather.
Pink and black is the toughest way to wear pink. Black takes the sweetness out, pink takes the severity out of black, and the result sits somewhere between a ballet class and a punk show. Pale pink looks pretty with black and hot pink looks loud, and both are fair.
A quick test: put a pale pink sweater with black trousers and black boots. If it looks a little bit tough, you have done it right.
Pink Beads, Black Leather
Jennifer Behr's Sidonie necklace is a strand of pale pink beads with a rose quartz drop, and Bottega Veneta's Pinacoteca tote is pink intrecciato leather, small and structured, the prettiest bag here. For black, Liffner's bucket bag has a big gold buckle that looks like a safety pin (very Rizzo), and Paris Texas' Jane boots are black leather knee boots with a pointed toe and a low heel. Wear any of the pink with something black and you have started.
A Pink Cardigan, Gaultier Trousers
Brandon Maxwell's Sloane cardigan is pale pink silk and cashmere with a deep V and pearly buttons, as soft as it looks. Jean Paul Gaultier's wool trousers are black with a wide leg and deep cuffs, so the outfit has some swagger. Our Legacy's Camion boots are square-toed black leather, and Balenciaga's Hourglass bag is small, black and curved at the base like its name. How to wear it: button the cardigan and wear it as a top.
A Black Turtleneck, a Pink Slip Skirt
Stella McCartney's satin midi skirt is pale pink with a lace hem, basically a slip, and Tom Ford's chunky black turtleneck makes it a day outfit. That is the whole trick of pink and black: one soft piece, one hard one. Staud's Sebastian slingbacks are black snake-effect leather on a kitten heel, and Erdem's Bloom clutch is black satin with beading and a gold flower on top. What I would skip: pink shoes. Black keeps it sharp.
The Ruffled Pink Dress and a Black Leather Jacket
Marrakshi Life's maxi dress is pink cotton poplin in loose ruffled tiers, very sweet on its own. Liberowe's Raja jacket fixes that: cropped black leather with a shearling collar, like a bomber made for a much cooler person. Lemaire's Crease boots are tall black leather on a block heel, and Maison Margiela's Box bag is a long black leather shoulder bag. This is my favorite outfit in the edit, and the most Rizzo.
A Black Blazer Over a Pink Blouse
Sharon Wauchob's blazer is long black wool with soft shoulders, and Lemlem's Mita shirt underneath is pale pink cotton gathered at the neck, so only a little pink shows. Suzie Kondi's Kyria skirt is black cotton poplin, gathered and full to mid-calf, and Jennifer Chamandi's Lorenzo flats are black mesh with suede trim and a strap. Mostly black with a soft pink center: this is the version for work.
Let Black Keep Pink Honest
Pink and black works because each one cancels out the other's cliché. Pale pink with black looks romantic and a little tough, and hot pink with black looks bold, so decide which mood you want before you buy. I keep pink to one or two pieces and let black take the shoes, the bag and the outer layer. A pale pink knit is the easiest first piece, since everyone owns black trousers. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Pink and Gray Outfits to Try This Fall and Plum and Black Outfits to Try This Fall.
