You can spot a good pink dress from right across a room, and it's not really about the shade at all. The poor ones go a bit chalky under shop lighting, like something's been left in the sun too long, while a good one holds its colour whether you're stood under a spotlight or queuing in the drizzle outside the chippy. That's the whole test, really.
If you've got no pink in the wardrobe at all, start somewhere plain in shape, a simple midi with no fuss on it, because the colour is doing enough work on its own without a frill or a cut out joining in. Blush and dusty rose are the easiest entry point, proper bubblegum pink takes a bit more nerve and suits someone who's already decided they don't care what anyone thinks, fair play to them. Go for a fabric with a bit of weight to it rather than anything floaty and thin, because thin pink fabric shows every crease from being sat in a bag, and you will end up sat in a bag at some point, that's just dresses.
Wash it cold, every time, no exceptions, because pink is one of those colours that fades fast in a hot wash and then you're left with something closer to the colour of a plaster. I learned this the hard way with a dress that went from coral to "sun faded traffic cone" in about six washes, and no amount of fabric conditioner brought it back. After that I started doing the cold wash, inside out, and the same dress has done two summers now without losing much at all. It'll still soften up over time, the fabric relaxes and gets a bit more forgiving round the hips, which I don't mind, but keep an eye on seams under the arms, that's where cheaper ones give up first. Pink does its best work from late spring through to the end of summer, weddings especially, christenings, anything outdoors with a glass of something in your hand. It can do a winter occasion too if the fabric's got some substance to it, but a thin cotton pink dress in December is just asking for trouble, and a cardigan over it rather defeats the point.
For every day wear round it out with things you've already got, a plain denim jacket works harder than people expect against pink, so does a neutral bag and flat sandals if you're not fussed about looking dressed up. Gold jewellery sits nicer against most pinks than silver, I've gone back and forth on that one for years and gold wins every time. Plimsolls instead of heels if you're on your feet all day, which, let's face it, you probably are.
Plus Size DressesPlus Size Pink Maxi Dresses We Love Right Now
Plus Size DressesPlus Size Pink Summer Dresses We’ve Been Saving
Jersey DressesPink Wrap Jersey Dresses That Do All the Work for You
Wrap DressesThe Pink Wrap Mini Dresses Worth Your Wardrobe Space
Summer DressesThe Pink Wrap Summer Dresses Worth Your Wardrobe Space
Tunic DressesPink Tunic Dresses That Feel Special
Work DressesPink Work Midi Dresses for Every Occasion on Your Calendar
Fit and Flare DressesEffortless Pink V Neck Fit and Flare Dresses We Love
V Neck DressesOur Pick of the Best Pink V Neck Floral DressesAlso worth a lookMidi DressesI used to think midi dresses were what you wore when you'd given up on deciding whether to…See the collections →
V Neck DressesPink V Neck Jersey Dresses: Our Top Picks
V Neck DressesPink V Neck Lace Dresses That Feel Special
V Neck DressesPink V Neck Long Sleeve Dresses Picked by Us
V Neck DressesOur Go To Pink V Neck Mini Dresses
V Neck DressesPink V Neck Party Dresses With Real Wardrobe Staying Power
Velvet DressesShop the Edit: Pink Velvet Dresses
Wedding Guest DressesPink Wedding Guest Dresses for the Big Day
Wedding Guest DressesPink Wedding Guest Floral Dresses That Flatter Without Trying
Wedding Guest DressesThe Best Looking Pink Wedding Guest Jersey Dresses Out ThereAlso worth a lookMaxi DressesA maxi dress is only as good as its hem, because that is the part that catches wind,…See the collections →
Wedding Guest DressesPink Wedding Guest Midi Dresses That Earn Their Place
Wedding Guest DressesPink Wedding Guest Satin Dresses on Our Radar
Wedding Guest DressesThe Only Pink Wedding Guest Wrap Dresses You Need to See
Floral DressesPink Tulle Floral Dresses You Can Dress Up or Down
Knitted DressesPink Wool Knitted Dresses That Feel Special
Shift DressesShop Our Favourite Pink Strappy Shift Dresses
Tie Waist DressesPink Tie Waist Wrap Dresses Worth a Closer Look
Shirt DressesPink Strappy Shirt Dresses That Feel Special
Tiered DressesPink Tiered A Line Dresses That Have Caught Our EyeAlso worth a lookMini DressesThe thing nobody mentions about a mini dress is what happens to the hem after the third wash and the fifth wear.See the collections →
Summer DressesEffortless Pink Strappy Summer Dresses We Love
Blazer DressesPink Tiered Blazer Dresses That Always Get Compliments
Tiered DressesPink Strappy Tiered Dresses That Tick Every Box
Tiered DressesA Closer Look at the Best Pink Tiered Denim Dresses
Wedding Guest DressesPink Strappy Wedding Guest Dresses Edited Down to the Best
Tiered DressesShop the Edit: Pink Tiered Floral Dresses
Work DressesOur Kind of Pink Strappy Work Dresses
Tiered DressesEffortless Pink Tiered Lace Dresses We Love
