How To Toughen Up Pastels

Pastels are one of the biggest trends of the season, but I always seem to have a problem with them.  Pastels are frilly, they’re preppy, they’re girly, they’re…well, they’re pastel-ly.  Nothing about pastels screams fashion-forward, cutting edge, or risky.  As fashionistas, how are we supposed to redefine the very ideas of fashion when we are playing it safe with pastels?  How do we not end up looking like an Easter egg, or one of the cherubic children in search of said egg?  Pastels can be problematic.  But they can also be the starting point for some really great outfit ideas.  What better way to show off your creativity and fashion know-how than to incorporate pastels in a very un-pastel way?  Follow the five ideas below to get your daily splash of pastel, while staying true to the cutting-edge fashionista that you are.

1. The easiest way?  Channel a biker, or a rock star.  When do they NOT look tough?

2. Or go boho.  When you’re looking hippie-dippie, you don’t look girly-preppy, right?

3. Colorblock!

4. Pair with some serious footwear.  Roll up those pastel jeans at the ankle, and apply a few good inches to your heels.  Then go casual on top.  Pastel?  Whatever.

5. Cut it out.  When have you ever seen a geometric cut out revealing some serious skin and thought, “pastel is so lame”?

Got other ideas for toughening up pastels?  Let me know in the comments section below!

After graduating from college in ’09, Allyson Barkan flew off to Greece to teach English Literature at a private high school and explore Greek and European culture for a year.  Since returning stateside, she now works in Entertainment Public Relations in New York City.  For travel advice, stray observations as a 20-something in the big city, and the occasional hilarious misadventure, follow Allyson atwww.allysonbarkan.com and on twitter at @aebarkan.