Real Men Wear Pink: Why Boys Shouldn’t Fear Colour
When it comes to clothing, colour has always carried meaning. Today, pink is often boxed in as “feminine”. The reason I started thinking about this relationship with colour was whilst at an evening reception in Barcelona, sporting a rather lovely pair of rosé pink Clarks Wallabees. One of the other attendees, a chap I knew, half-jokingly, asked me why I was “wearing my wife’s shoes”.
Pink hasn’t always been perceived as ‘girly’. In fact, the idea that boys shouldn’t wear pink is a relatively modern invention, and I think it’s time we unpick it.
A Colour with History
Go back just a little over a century and you’ll find that pink was once considered strong and masculine. It was seen as a lighter shade of red — the colour of courage, energy, and action. Blue, meanwhile, was often linked with softness and innocence. The reversal of these associations only really set in during the mid-20th century, when fashion marketers leaned into gendered coding of clothes to sell more children’s wear.
Confidence in Colour
Wearing pink today doesn’t undermine masculinity — it amplifies confidence. A flash of pink in a shirt, hoodie, or pair of trainers says: I’m comfortable in who I am. Pink stands out in a crowd, but in the best way: it’s bold, stylish, and unapologetic.
Even Football Did It First
Even football, often seen as the bastion of tradition and ‘manliness’, has a colourful past. Scotland’s hasn’t always been navy blue. In the late 19th century the Scotland team turned out in Lord Rosebery’s colours of pink and primrose hoops. That choice wasn’t met with derision; it was simply the kit of proud pioneers. If pink was good enough for the early days of Scottish football, it should certainly be good enough for boys today.
Break the Binary Boundary!
When boys (and men) are told to avoid pink, it’s really a way of policing identity. But the truth is that colours don’t belong to genders — they belong to people. Choosing pink is choosing to push back against outdated stereotypes.
The best part about pink? It’s versatile. Go pastel for a softer vibe, neon for streetwear edge, or deeper shades like salmon and rose for a more polished, smart-casual feel. Pair it with neutrals like grey, beige, navy, or black and you’ve got a balanced look that pops.
Final Thoughts
The next time you’re picking an outfit, don’t let old-fashioned thinking limit your wardrobe. Pink isn’t just for girls — it’s for anyone brave enough to wear it. So tip your feathers, stand tall, and wear your colours with joy!