8 Pretty, Punk and Posh Ways to Wear Pink
It's time to rethink the quintessential springtime color—for Labor Day and beyond.
By Clarissa Cruz
Actress Stephanie Szostak, who costars with Ryan Reynolds in the movie R.I.P.D.,
tries soft blushes and bright roses every which way, from pretty to punk to posh.
Retro Active
A fuchsia turtleneck and pencil skirt are the perfect base for a boxy, pale pink bouclé jacket. "The skirt's fabric reminds me of a fantastic pantsuit my mom used to wear," says the actress, whose heritage is a blend of French, Caribbean, American, and Russian. "The hat is a wink to the past as well."
Peacoat, Carven, $2,450; Carven.com. Sweater, $224; Magaschoni.com. Skirt, $600; LorryNewhouse.com. Hat, Lola Hats, $238; Anthropologie; 215-568-2114. Necklace, $90; DanielEspinosa.com. Ring, $265; JenniferFisherJewelry.com. Shoes, $598; Marissa-Webb.com.
A Good Yarn
The sweet end of the pink spectrum contrasts stylishly with a boyish sweater, button-down shirt and trousers. "This is pink worn in a sophisticated way," says Stephanie, who first caught our eye playing editrix Jacqueline Follet in 2006's
The Devil Wears Prada.
Beauty Note
Play up your makeup when wearing borrowed-from-the-boys looks.
"I gave Stephanie a really glossy pink lip [Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Luminous Lip Gloss in Passion Fruit,
$18; ElizabethArden.com] because I love the juxtaposition of the girly color with her menswear-inspired outfit," says makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo. "In more feminine outfits, I'd keep her makeup matte and understated."
Sweater, Comptoir des Cotonniers, $280; 212-460-5289. Striped shirt, $195; ThomasPink.com. Pants, Sportmax, $425; 212-674-1817. Bar necklace, $90; VitaFede.com. Bow tie, $60; ThomasPink.com.
Layer Cake
"This look blends all the facets of my personality—feminine, boyish, rock 'n' roll and country. Awesome!"
A nod to grunge, romance and everything in between, this artfully disheveled ensemble works because the various textures are grounded in pale pink; a leather vest and a pop of fuchsia tulle layered under lace make the vibe more punk than prim.
Leather vest, $655; Maje, $655; 212-775-8330. Pale pink lace dress, Rickie Freeman for Teri Jon, $660; TeriJon.com. Hot pink tulle dress, Nha Khanh, price upon request; 212-947-2600 . Shoes, Bally, $750; 212-751-9082.
Powder Puff
Though Stephanie's off-duty uniform consists of jeans, T-shirts, high-top sneakers and "a lot of black," the mother of two adored this structured powder pink coatdress that unsnaps to reveal a short strapless black number underneath. "Christian Dior is just the ultimate in chic," she says.
Jacket, $4,500, and dress, $3,600, Dior; 800-929-3467. Earrings, $75; GilesandBrother.com.
Flower Power
"This outfit makes me feel like a Degas ballerina."
A rose minidress gets an extra dose of floral when it's topped with a flowered lace sweatshirt. "The skirt of the dress is like a bouquet, but a bouquet that's been roughed up—which means the look is a little more interesting," Stephanie says.
Sweatshirt, $50; LOFT.com. Dress, Nina Ricci, $2,690; Shopbop.com. Earrings, Gerard Yosca, $110; Yosca.com. Pink opal ring, $148; MargaretElizabeth.com. Quartz ring, $150; Kevia.biz. Ring with embellished center, $78; LiaSophia.com. Cuff $108; Sorrelli.com. Notebook, Waku, $10; MollaSpace.com.
Wine and Roses
A buttery leather jacket tops a striped fit-and-flare dress, with the heavier fabrics making the summery color scheme fall-appropriate. "I love the rich colors here," says Stephanie, who also played assassin Ellen Brandt opposite Robert Downey Jr. in
Iron Man 3.
Beauty Note
Mussed-up hair keeps pink ensembles from feeling too teenybopper. "I used a hair paste [Oribe Fiber Groom Elastic Texture Paste,
$29; Oribe.com] for a tousled look," says hairstylist Shintaro Teraoka, who pinned up Stephanie's shoulder-length hair for this story to give it a rakish effect. "I applied more product at the root and less on the ends to create texture and shape."
Leather jacket, $6,990; LWrenScott.com. Dress, Shoshanna, $395; LordandTaylor.com. Earrings, $325; VitaFede.com. Leather wrap bracelet, Louis Vuitton, $415; 866-884-8866. Charm bracelet, $205; LuluFrost.com.
Ready to Flounce
A full-skirted dress is topped with a jaunty trench—perfect for fickle, between-seasons weather.
Coat, $995, and dress, $895, REDValentino; 714-540-6000. Earrings, $168; MargaretElizabeth.com. Shoes, Jacques Levine, $98; NeimanMarcus.com.
Pretty in Pink
Stephanie swings into action in a cozy cashmere sweater and ombré feathered skirt, both in soft shades that echo the plush fabrics. "This skirt is so fun!" says the actress. "In my regular life I don't usually wear girly things, but this is amazing."
Sweater, $340; OrganicbyJohnPatrick.com. Tank, Victoria's Secret Catalogue, $60; VictoriasSecret.com. Skirt, Lela Rose, $1,995; 214-599-6283. Earrings, $150; ToryBurch.com. Rain boots, $150; Hunter-Boot.com.
Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
How to Wear Pink
Tips from O creative director Adam Glassman
If you have pink undertones in your skin, choose dusty rose shades (
like the ones here); hot pinks and fuchsias flatter olive- and darker-skinned women.
Pinks look extra chic when paired with somber fall colors like camel, gray and navy—the darker shades keep rosy pieces from looking too Barbie.
If you're afraid of pink—this means you, avowed black wearers!—try a superpale version (like the vest on page 109). "It's more like white with a light pink wash," says Adam.
Next: 4 fantasy makeovers that will inspire your new look
From the
August 2013 issue of
O, The Oprah Magazine
