In honor of Women’s History Month, I wanted to take some time to talk about the complex history of one of the most recognizable symbols of femininity: the color pink. Whether you love it or hate it, pink is commonly accepted as a “feminine color”, especially in the US. It is used so frequently in products, clothing, and advertisements targeted towards women that it is rarely questioned. However, the color i has a rich history. Pink has always been a color with a lot of meaning behind it, and cultural attitudes seem to be ever-changing.
Pink was initially popularized in the 1700s, and was seen not as a symbol of femininity, but as a symbol of wealth and high social class. Specifically, the light powdery color “pompadour pink” was popular, and was worn by the French aristocrat Madame Pompadour. With pink being so extensively associated with femininity, it may be surprising to learn that this has not always been the case. Pink only became popularized as a girly color around the 1940s, and formerly was actually a popular color for baby boys. Additionally, when pink and blue became known as gender specific colors in the early 1900s, blue was recommended as a color for baby girls. However, the 1940s and 1950s saw a swift shift in cultural perceptions of the color pink. Mamie Eisenhower’s pink inaugural gown in 1953 is often considered the turning point. Her appearance helped begin popularizing pink as a feminine color. During this time, the hues of pinks available also shifted, moving away from the delicate pastel shades of pink which were previously popular, and popularizing darker, more vibrant shades which were now available due to more versatile dyes.
Gender association with the color pink is not the only important transition over time. When pink initially became popular, it was mainly a symbol of wealth and the finer things in life. Pink is often specifically associated with the French Rococo period, and its extravagant yet delicate aesthetic. While pink was seen mainly as a masculine color, it was used for baby boys. It retained some of the original perception of pink, as a gentle and sweet color. However Mamie Eisenhower’s love of pink not only popularized the color, but gave it a whole new meaning. The bolder and brighter pinks of the 20th century became a power color, representing luxury while simultaneously making a statement, and allowing the attire to stand out in a crowd. Afterwards, however, pink became simply the expected “girl color”, and began to lose some of that empowering symbolism.
In the modern era, the color pink is a very divisive topic. Some people love it, and some hate it and view it as a representation of sexism. This exhaustion with the color pink makes perfect sense, as girls are often bombarded with pink colored products and toys throughout their entire life. Alongside gender disparities such as the “pink tax” (the higher price of “feminine” products targeted towards women), pink has gotten a pretty bad reputation recently. However, its meaning is beginning to change once again. Pink is taking on a new meaning of empowerment and agency over women’s health and reproductive rights, as it is becoming incorporated in many feminist movements. Additionally, it sports as the color for breast cancer awareness. In many ways, pink is even coming full circle, as many men are starting to incorporate pink into their wardrobes.
Pink has had a long and complicated history, marked by eras of change of meaning. . However one thing is certain — pink takes on whatever meaning culture assigns to it. For now, pink is more or less being reclaimed, as it shifts away from being a childlike or delicate “feminine” color, and into a color of empowerment and progress.