During the Victorian era, pink was considered a sweet, feminine color, suitable for the gowns of young ladies in their first season. It was also fashionable for more mature Victorian women, who often wore evening dresses made of fine pink satins and silks. Most commonly of all, pink was an accent color used for trim and accessories. Ladies carried pink parasols and pink fans. They decorated their bonnets with pink ribbons and flowers. And, in the summer, their light cotton gowns were brightened with pink stripes and pink floral sprigs. In today’s article, we look at some of the loveliest examples of the color pink in Victorian fashion.
GOWNS
The 1862 edition of Littell’s Living Age states that pale pink was not an ideal shade for daytime wear, explaining that “in daylight, pink heightens the sallowness of the complexion.” For evening dress, however, pink was highly recommended as it was “often becoming by candle-light.” The below dress is a classic example of a late 19th century pink evening dress. Made of silk, it is trimmed in pink flowers.
(Cincinnati Art Museum)
According to Littell’s Living Age, pink was most flattering when “uncombined with other colors.” As for trimmings, Victorian ladies were advised that a pink evening dress was “more elegant” when worn with flowers or trimmings that were also a shade of pink. As an example, the below evening dress is made with a pale pink satin and a slightly darker pink tulle.
(Victoria and Albert Museum)
Pink was considered a flattering color for blondes and fair-skinned brunettes, but the 1860 issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book advises that “those of darker complexion must avoid pinks.” Littell’s Living Age echoes this sentiment, warning ladies with “raven hair and dark eyes” to steer clear of pink and choose deep reds instead. The pink silk ball gown below looks like it may have fit the bill for a Victorian blonde or brunette.
(Met Museum)
Slightly darker shades of pink were suitable for morning dresses, day dresses, and tea gowns. These included colors such as “shrimp-pink” and “salmon-pink” (frequently mentioned in Victorian fashion magazines of the day). The brighter shades of pink could be quite dramatic, as illustrated by the silk taffeta afternoon dress shown below.
(Museum at FIT)
Darker pinks could be contrasted with other colors, such as white or black. Black could be especially striking when worn with pink, but Littell’s Living Age is careful to warn that “black, although agreeable, is so positive a contrast, as to savor somewhat of the theatre.” A harsh judgment indeed! The below pink cotton dress employs black trim in what would have been an acceptable fashion.
(Met Museum)
Pink and white was another popular color combination—especially for young ladies. Pale pink roses and ribbons often adorned white ensembles, while pink and white stripes were regularly seen in summer day dresses and evening gowns. The below dress of pink striped silk taffeta is one example.
(Kyoto Costume Institute)
Pink paired well as a trim with other warm colors. It looked particularly pretty with browns and tans. The evening dress below is tan silk faille trimmed with pink.
(Philadelphia Museum of Art)
When pink was paired with a cold color, such as blue or gray, Littell’s Living Age advises that the cold color “should always predominate.” This advice is illustrated perfectly by the dress below. Made of green-blue silk, it is trimmed with pink ribbons and bows.
(Manchester Art Gallery)
(Manchester Art Gallery)
SHOES
Pink accessories were quite fashionable during the Victorian era. Pink slippers, pumps, and boots were also considered very stylish. The silk evening pumps below are one example of how pink was used in Victorian footwear.
(Met Musem)
Pink boots could be worn for day, evening, and formal occasions—even weddings. Below is a gorgeous pair of pink evening boots from 1870.
(Met Museum)
BONNETS
Pink ribbons, pink plumes, and pink silk flowers were popular trimmings for Victorian era straw bonnets. The straw hat below features pink flowers, ribbons, and white plumes at the back.
(Met Museum)
Pale pink was particularly pretty when combined with the lace on ladies’ indoor caps. These sorts of caps were worn by matrons and spinsters throughout the 19th century. Below is an 1880 lace cap trimmed with pink silk ribbons.
(Met Museum)
PARASOLS
Pink parasols were another fashionable accessory. They were generally made of silk and came in a range of shades, including pale pink and delicate pink prints. Many of them were trimmed with lace, adding to their soft, feminine appeal.
(Met Museum)
FANS
For evening dress, a soft, pink fan could be a lovely accessory. In addition to painted paper fans, there were decadent feather fans like the one below. Note the hummingbird drinking from the orange blossoms!
(MFA Boston)
JEWELRY
Pink jewels, like pink diamonds and pink sapphires, may sound like a modern fad, but they existed in the Victorian era as well. Even more popular were necklaces, rings, and brooches made of pink topaz or pink conch pearls. Conch pearls were highly prized during the 19th century. In his 1886 book Pearls and Pearling Life, Edwin Streeter describes them as having a “wavy appearance and a peculiar sheen, something like that of watered silk.” Most were irregular in shape. Those that were perfectly round were exceedingly valuable. They were used in all manner of jewelry, including brooches, rings, and even hatpins.
(Victoria and Albert Museum)
A FEW FINAL WORDS...
I hope the above has given you some idea of how shades of pink were used in Victorian women’s fashion. For a refresher on the shades of Victorian fashion that we have already covered, the previous articles in my series are available here:
Shades of Victorian Fashion: Orange, Pumpkin, and Peach
Shades of Victorian Fashion: Butter, Lemon, Gold, and Yellow
Shades of Victorian Fashion: Crimson, Claret, Scarlet, and Red
Shades of Victorian Fashion: Cerulean, Mazarine, Navy, and Blue
Shades of Victorian Fashion: Lilacs, Lavenders, Plums, and Purples
In future, I’ll be profiling other popular shades of the era. Until then, I leave you with the following quote from Littell’s Living Age:
“It is chiefly in the choice and arrangement of color that a woman’s taste in dress is displayed.”
Sources
Audsley, George Ashdown. Color in Dress: A Manual for Ladies. Philadelphia: George Maclean, 1870.
Godey’s Lady’s Book. Vol. 54-55. Philadelphia: Louis A. Godey, 1857.
“How to Adorn the Person.” Godey’s Lady’s Book. Vol. 60. Philadelphia: Louis A. Godey, 1860.
“A Lady’s Dress.” Littell’s Living Age. Vol. 75. Boston: Littell, Son, and Company, 1862.
“London Fashions for the Month.” Ladies’ Cabinet of Fashion. London: Geo Henderson, 1841.
Paxton, Joseph Rupert. Jewelry and the Precious Stones. Philadelphia: John Penington & Son, 1856.
Streeter, Edwin William. Pearls and Pearling Life. London: George Bell & Sons, 1886.
COMING SOON
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I eschewed pink for many years, having grown up with Sindy and Barbie, and their usual rather unfortunate accessories in what was called cerise when I was very little and is now usually called Barbie Pink. However, I will say I use it now as an accent with grey, brown, navy or olive. Pink on its own, especially a bright pink, is a little overwhelming unless you are black, and fairly dark at that. It makes some fair skinned people – those with more Celtic complexions – look decidedly yellow.
It’s good to know the 19th century advice about pink making fair ladies look sallow still applies! I think so much depends upon the shade. I do have some pink clothes myself, but I much prefer pink’s far more aggressive cousin red :)
I’ve found the opposite to be true. I’m light skinned of celtic heritage, and coral makes me look sallow. Cerise makes me look amazing.
Unfortunately, I don’t wear it very often, because I’m in a masculine field, and I’m afraid of being taken less seriously if I show up for work in “Barbie pink”.
Pink can definitely be viewed as over-girly in certain professions. But it’s great in small doses!
Such beautiful dresses – but I can’t get over the size of their waists!
Corsets were really effective for keeping the waist & bust in proportion!
Love to see grouping by color! What fun !
Thanks :) I’m glad you like it!
I have never been a huge fan of pink myself (my hair is too red), but it is my mother’s favorite color. I do love that Worth gown in tan silk trimmed with dusty rose, though – that would be something that I would wear, as it looks more mature than the frothier confections. I would also wear those pink silk evening boots, perhaps under a love black or charcoal silk gown (although I know those colors weren’t commonly used for evening wear in the Victorian era).
*that should be “lovely” black . . .”
I feel the same way about pink, Pam. I love to look at it and admire it, but wear it? Not so much. It makes a great accent color, though!
Much of my workout wear is black and pink. So according to Littell’s, I’m likely putting on a show at the gym ;)
Ha! Just one of the many benefits of being modern women. We can be as dramatic in our dress as we please–wherever we please.
The fan is a hoot!
It’s really unique!
What a lovely post! Thanks for gathering all these beautiful photos and historical facts into one place. :-)
You’re very welcome, Angela :) Glad you enjoyed it!
Gorgeous post! I am so glad I stumbled across your blog. THIS is what I was looking for. I will be fervently looking forward to your posts, Mimi. I am in awe of how fashion has changed over the last century. Some of the dresses shown above were worn at the turn of the 20th century. How is it that the unspoken, unofficial uniform of our day boils down to wearing jeans? I am baffled by how much we have lost in terms of fashion. I always wonder how shocked women of centuries passed would be if they saw the… Read more »
Thanks, May :) I’m so glad you enjoyed my article. Fashion has changed a great deal since the 19th century. There was much more emphasis on utility and practicality as women’s roles in society began to change. Wearing a silk bustled dress while entertaining at home is one thing, but bicycling or playing sports or working required a different wardrobe altogether!