What is pastel?
Pastel colors are Soft, muted, and light shades of any color on the color wheel, created by diluting the base pigment with white. The term is borrowed from fine art, where pastels are used to describe artists' crayons with a high chalk content. They produce a characteristic matte, powdery finish without a glossy sheen.
The main characteristic of pastel in clothing is its low saturation and complete lack of harshness. Visually, these shades reduce the contrast of an outfit, making it lighter and more tranquil. Unlike neon or pure spectral colors, pastel doesn't steal the show, but rather acts as a subtle background. In wardrobes, this often manifests itself in the form of basic cashmere sweaters, silk blouses, or classic coats in muted tones.
The main types of pastel shades
In color theory, pastel colors are divided into three main groups based on color temperature. Cool pastels include baby blue, mint, lavender, and icy gray. These shades create a fresh and cool effect and are traditionally used in spring/summer collections of lightweight dresses and shirts.
Warm pastels include peach, powder pink, creamy yellow, and light coral. They add softness and visual warmth to an outfit and look harmonious with dense textures like tweed, corduroy, or heavy cotton. Neutral pastels combine cream, ecru, ivory, and sand.
Neutral light tones are a versatile wardrobe staple. They pair easily with both bright accents and cool or warm pastel palettes without overwhelming the outfit.
What to combine with
A pastel all-over look involves combining several elements in the same or adjacent light shades. For example, a powder pink pantsuit or a lavender jumper paired with a mint skirt create a cohesive, visually effortless look. To add complexity to this outfit, use contrasting textures—smooth silk paired with chunky knit or heavy denim.
Pairing pastel pieces with basic achromatic colors like white or light gray greatly enhances their freshness. A classic example of a casual wardrobe is a soft blue, loose-fitting poplin shirt paired with white straight-leg trousers.
Pairing pastels with dark shades helps ground the look and remove any overly romanticism. Black, navy, or chocolate brown adapt lighter tones to a formal business wardrobe. For example, a peach blouse paired with a navy pencil skirt or an ecru jacket with dark blue jeans looks understated and appropriate in an urban setting.
