How to Wear Pink and Red

Every year, as Valentine’s Day gets closer, I start to wonder if I should do a post about what to wear. I’m not someone who really dresses for a specific holiday, but I know that I have many readers out there who love to do this. Incorporating red, pink, and heart-themed clothing and accessories into your wardrobe can be a fun and festive way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so I decided to share some tips on how to wear pink and red, as well as some Valentine’s Day-inspired finds from places like Loft, Talbots, Chico’s, and J.Crew Factory.

CHENILLE STRIPED PULLOVER size M / KALLIE STRAIGHT-LEG PANT size 8 / ECCO SLIP-ON SNEAKER on sale

Can you wear pink and red together?

Of course, you can! Pink and red may seem like an unlikely color combination, but they actually look great together. Red and pink sit next to each other on the color wheel, which makes them analogous. Analogous color combinations are often fool-proof and have a low contrast. You can wear analogous colors combined in the same item or in separates, such as pink pants with a red sweater. When paired together, they create a visually striking contrast that is both bold and playful.

See also- How To Find Your Personal Contrast Level And Why It Matters

ITEMS FROM TALBOTS LAST YEAR

Subtle and Sophisticated

You can either wear pink with red in a subtle way or pull out all the stops and go for over-the-top vibrancy. This is a strictly personal preference, and you should wear what you love that makes you happy.

PINK OXFORD SHIRT size M / SCHOOLBOY SWEATER BLAZER size S / SLIM BOYFRIEND JEANS size 28 / COURT SNEAKER runs TTS

I lean toward clothing pieces that can be worn again and again that don’t scream Valentine’s Day. Perhaps the easiest way to add a pop of red or pink to your wardrobe is by choosing a solid red or pink top. If you aren’t scared of bold outerwear, you could also try a red or pink blazer or jacket.

EILEEN FISHER ORGANIC COTTON RECYCLED CASHMERE PULLOVER size S

I don’t wear red, but if I did, this is the shade of red I would wear. It’s closer to a raspberry shade that appears red on my low-contrast coloring. Bright fire engine red overpowers me, but this one, I can get away with. FYI- The color looks much brighter on the website than in person.

See also- How To Find Your Personal Contrast Level And Why It Matters

There are also other ways to incorporate red, pink, and heart-themed clothing into your wardrobe. Start by incorporating red or pink accessories into your outfit, like a scarf, bag, or shoe. You can also add some fun accessories like a pair of earrings, a brooch, or even a pair of socks. These small touches will add a playful touch to your outfit without being too over-the-top.

Over the Top

While these pieces can be fun and festive, it’s important to keep in mind that they may not be wearable past February 14th. In fact, I think they really should only be worn leading up to and on the actual holiday.

WEARING – STRIPED POPLIN SHIRT size MHEART SWEATER size M / STOVEPIPE STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS size 29

They aren’t workhorse wardrobe pieces that you can repeatedly wear because they look like Valentine’s Day pieces. If you’re a fan of seasonal clothing and have ample storage room for these pieces, then go for it. If not, opt for some more subtle options.

More Red, Pink, and Heart Styles:

Do you like to wear pink and red together? Are you a fan of heart-themed clothing and accessories?

I’d love to hear from you below!

Be sure to wear what makes you feel confident and delights you.

47 Comments

  1. Elisa M Gray says:

    That red sweater looks divine on you.

  2. I recently attended an appreciation get-together at our investment firm and most of the people attending looked like they came right from work. Two of the women, one of which was “of an age”, had paired red heels with their serious business attire and totally rocked the look! When I was working outside the home and needed courage for a meeting or performance review, I wore red. It just made me feel powerful!

  3. Thank you for mentioning the email difficulties. I noticed yesterday that I hadnā€™t been receiving your messages so I signed up for them again via your website. Ironically, I think the emails were disrupted when I bought you a coffee! Iā€™m so happy to have you back in my inbox. šŸ’•

    1. There was a change in the way Gmail categorized blogs so we are working to get that all sorted out.I’m glad you’re back!

      1. I have been focused on work and suddenly realized something I looked forward to as a ray of sunshine was missingā€¦.your email. I am so glad I keep my favorites and signed up again. Thanks for bringing joy!

      2. Iā€™m glad too!! I noticed youā€™re also using Gmail and Google has made some changes this year which marks my blog as promotion so you may need to check your spam folder.

  4. I love the red sweater on you! I wear red and pink. I once read that everyone looks good in some shade of pink. Do you think thatā€™s true? I usually donā€™t like hearts but last year I bought a sweater from Chicoā€™s that is black with a few hearts (red, pink and white) on it. I wear it to my daughter and son-in-laws Valentineā€™s Day wine tasting. They have a small winery and tasting room.
    I donā€™t post often but I enjoy your blog!

    1. I believe there is a flattering shade of red for every complexion.

  5. I do much better when the red has a blue base. But, girl, that red color looks so good on you! You should definitely get that and wear it! It puts a real glow to your complexion.
    Wishing luck on the sofa. Our home was built back in the 80s and the doors are very slim. My husband bought a sofa and love seat to put in his bar. Well when it got here, the doors were too narrow. lol. The delivery men had to take the door and the frame off to get them into the room. My first experience in making sure of measurements before purchasing large items.šŸ˜

    1. Wow! Hopefully, it will fit in.

  6. I love pink and red together so that striped Talbots shirt is calling me. Like you, red-red doesnā€™t work on me but raspberry and cranberry do. I wouldnā€™t wear anything too holiday themed, but you showed some fun perky items. I need to go back and read carefully your piece on color contrast; sounds like it was helpful to many readers. Thanks for all your advice!

  7. I absolutely love pink, the brighter the better. The sweaters with the hearts on them are really cute, but I agree, only on or around Valentine’s Day.

    Looking forward to hearing more about the retreat. It seems like you had a fantastic relaxing time. I would really enjoy going to one of the Miraval resorts.

  8. I love the red Eileen Fisher sweater on you. You definitely should own that one. And, youā€™ve just missed all our wonderful Vancouver snow.

    1. I know! I was surprised to love it

  9. Good Morning, love this post. As much as I’d like to wear any of the sweaters, very sweet collection, I don’t really go for any design on my clothes. However, I look good in pinks and reds, colors I don’t wear enough. I’m thinking for Valentines to wear a pink button down under a white sweater, and a favorite necklace, red cascading hearts. Valentine subtle…I’ve tried to do the personal contrast exercise and just can’t get it right…but I do know what doesn’t work on me…….I do love the striped sweater you are modeling from Talbots last year…..if it was available, I’d purchase it……

  10. Love the pink and red! The raspberry red looks lovely on you. I just bought a top from Nordstrom that is navy/white stripe with tiny red and pink hearts scattered on it. Love all your choices!

  11. I love red (not orange red) but I donā€™t gravitate towards pink. I also donā€™t wear theme clothes so would pass on hearts, instead picking a solid red top for Valentines.
    I think red & pink are pretty together. I donā€™t own anything in that combo but would certainly try it on.
    Welcome back to Vancouver! How exciting that your sofa is arriving. Setting up your apartment will make it your home away from home.

    1. I sure hope this couch fits down our hallway and in the door šŸ™‚

  12. Janice in Ky says:

    I love pink, itā€™s my favorite color. Iā€™m a cool winter, the brighter the better. I do wear red but not nearly as much as pink. My closet is mostly shades of pink and blue. When shopping both online and in person I head straight for the pink šŸ’•. I have and wear themed items, up to and some items beyond the holiday. Just an FYI the raspberry sweater looks lovely on you. Thanks for all your hard work.
    Enjoy your visit with your daughter.

  13. I really love red and pink. I have a tee that has small hearts on it that I only wear leading up to Valentine’s day. Other then that I wouldn’t wear it. I like the pink and white striped tee. I would wear that year round. I think you look great in the raspberry top!

  14. I am not a fan wearing red and pink together. I do wear a red sweater around Christmas time. I like a nice medium pink button down shirt with black pants .
    The raspberry color is very pretty that you show. I don’t wear hearts on shirts, but I do have some pretty silver earrings that are hearts.

  15. suzanstew says:

    I have become part of a group that is expected to wear red to events. Ugh. I looked through my wardrobe and I have a red sweater and jacket, each of which is at least ten years old and just not quite right. This article had such a nice variety of current red items. And even though most of the women will wear stark red, there’s no reason why I can’t do what Jennifer does and go raspberry or even a lighter burgundy and be doing the right thing.

    1. Absolutely wear the shade of red/raspberry that you like!

  16. Not a pink wearer or holiday clothing gal, but I love the little touch of pink on the court sneakers (at least it looks pinkā€™ishā€™ on my monitor šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø

  17. These outfits have a happy vibe! Pink is one of my signature colors, so I am always looking for pieces to round out my wardrobe. There are some great options here. I would wear some of the more subtle heart prints beyond Valentine’s day. The navy crew neck with pink hearts is an example. I’m glad you had a good retreat, Jennifer!

  18. As an autumn I don’t wear pink. I do wear red year round as its one of my best colors. I don’t associate it with a holiday. My style is dramatic minimalist so I find holiday themed clothing too cute fore me. I just read your post on finding your contrast level and its brilliant. When I went from brown to my natural frosted champagne hair color I really struggled with outfit combinations. I have relatively light skin and green eyes so my contrast level changed from medium/high to low. I get it now. The post is a must read. Hope you are enjoying your retreat. I look forward to hearing more about it.

    1. Iā€™ve always admired dramatic minimalism. Lovely! Iā€™m so glad you enjoyed that article on contrast.

  19. I love that pink J Crew shirt! Ordering today! I wouldnā€™t buy pieces with hearts, I just like to have a bit more versatility. But pink, yes!

  20. Such cute options for Valentineā€™s Day! Iā€™m not really into the holiday themed clothes either. Thanks for sharing.

  21. Cute post! I am 100% not a heart wearer and am 100% a pink and red wearer. Now that Iā€™ve narrowed down my winterness to dark winter and have less contrast as my dark brunette hair silvers, I go for darker cool reds, darker fuchsia, and burgundy as my reds and pinks.

    1. Those are lovely colors for you.

  22. Those light shades of pink really give your complexion a rosy hue. Beautiful look on you.

  23. I love pink and try to wear it when I can, but find its harder to get away with the brighter tones of it as I have gotten older. Red is also a colour I dont wear a lot of but find for my colouring I am better with a blue undertoned red compared to a yellow undertoned red. I purchased a really nice red jumpsuit for Christmas 2022 and received a multitude of complements on how great it looked on me. Glad to see that the brights are coming back in, I am so much better with brighter colors for my skintone (I am a summer).

    1. Iā€™m seeing a lot of vibrant brights for spring. Itā€™s a nice change.

  24. Jennifer, I love red and always have! I look better in warmer reds and wear them year round in tops and blouses. Not a holiday clothing fan either, but your selections were very tasteful!

    I donā€™t seem to be getting the comments anymore so I donā€™t understand the controversy that seems to be going on.

    Thanks for your emails!
    Janet

    1. The comments should be below the post. Let me look into it.

      1. On Safari, the comments donā€™t show up so I switched to Chrome and now I get them. Gmail is still putting you in my promotional side and not the primary side of my email.

      2. Thank you for letting me know.

  25. Pat Patterson says:

    Good morning Jennifer, pink makes me smilešŸ’•šŸ˜€ letā€™s all wear a bit of pink and you will find yourselves smiling!

    1. It is a happy color šŸ’•

  26. Funnily enough, last night I went to a birthday dinner held outside (the weather is hot) and wore a sleeveless summer dress which is a hot pink mixed with red colour. To complete my unintentional ā€˜pretty in pinkā€™ theme, I wore some hot pink sandals. I love both pink and red – perfect for summer. Canā€™t say I am a fan of heart themed clothing and accessories, probably due to a life long apathy towards St Valentineā€™s Day. Enjoy your time with your beautiful daughter and hope you see some snow.

  27. I don’t wear hearts unless they are making up a 5 petalled flower .
    As to pink and red I can’t really wear orangey reds or purplish pinks but do like eg a deep red with a warm pink . Am I deciding based on value/contrast ?

    1. Sound like youā€™re deciding based on warmth and saturation.

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