Pink and gray is the quietest color pairing of fall, and the easiest to wear to work. These five outfits put pale pink cashmere, silk, rib knits and poplin with gray wool, suede, alpaca and leather. Keep the pink soft and the gray warm.
Pink and Gray Outfits to Try This Fall
Christian Dior grew up in Granville, Normandy, in a villa called Les Rhumbs. In his 1958 memoir Dior by Dior he wrote that the house was a very soft pink, combined with gray gravel, and that those two shades remained his favorite colors in couture. Galerie Dior still quotes the line on its history page, and I think it is the nicest reason anyone has ever given for a color pairing.
Pink and gray is the quietest pairing in this series. Gray takes the sugar out of pink, and pink keeps gray from looking like a filing cabinet. The softer the pink and the warmer the gray, the more grown up it looks.
A quick test: wear a pale pink knit with gray trousers you already own. If it looks like a uniform you would happily repeat, start buying pink.
Begin With a Pink or Gray Accessory
Khaite's Olivia bag is a slouchy crescent of pale pink suede, and it is the one I would carry most. Lizzie Fortunato's Laguna necklace is pink beads with a few turquoise ones and a gold clasp, more fun than it sounds. For gray, Balenciaga's Le City is the classic motorcycle bag in a charcoal-gray leather, and Bao Bao Issey Miyake's Boston bag is made of glossy charcoal triangles that shift as you carry it.
Pale Pink Cashmere, Gray Trousers
Khaite's Margaux sweater is pale pink cashmere with a high crew neck and full sleeves, and Co's gray trousers are pleated wool and cashmere with a tapered leg and a turned-up hem. It is the most wearable outfit here. Christian Louboutin's Iriza pumps are dusty rose suede, cut open at the side, and Auralee's gray cashmere scarf is long and skinny, made for wrapping twice. How to wear it: tuck the sweater in loosely so the pleats show.
A Big Gray Sweater, a Pink Silk Skirt
MM6 Maison Margiela's sweater is a huge gray V-neck in wool and alpaca that hangs past the hips, and Loro Piana's Giustina skirt is pale pink silk that swishes underneath. The contrast is the point: one slouchy, one fluid. Valentino Garavani's Marie A mules are pink velvet with a satin bow on a low heel, and Givenchy's Antigona tote is gray suede with black leather handles. What I would skip: a fitted top. The sweater should be big.
The Pink Knit Dress, a Gray Jacket
Altuzarra's Lollie dress is a pale pink rib knit with a full skirt, sleeveless and long. Blazé Milano's Chausie jacket goes on top in a dark gray wool blend with a brown collar and patch pockets, so it reads more country than office. Jimmy Choo's Love pumps are pink crackled leather on a mid heel, and Loro Piana's Cedar beanie is gray cable-knit cashmere for cold mornings. A sweet dress in a serious jacket is my favorite kind of outfit.
A Gray Suede Jacket and a Pink Shirt
St. Agni's jacket is gray suede cut like a biker jacket but without the hardware, which makes it easy. Under it, Róhe's pale pink poplin shirt does the work of a pink knit, only crisper. Theory's gray straight-leg pants are stretch wool, and Déhanche's Alcott belt is light gray suede with a silver buckle, so the outfit is gray on gray with a line of pink down the middle. Wear the shirt collar out over the jacket.
Warm the Gray, Soften the Pink
Pink and gray look most grown up when the pink is soft and the gray is warm. Ballet, blush and rose with heather, charcoal and dove all work, while a hot pink can make gray look cold. Mix textures, because cashmere, suede and silk make both colors look richer than flat cotton does. If you only buy one piece, make it a pale pink sweater, since most closets already have gray trousers.
