Like it or not, pastels are here to stay. We’ve had the lilac phase, the peach phase and the pale pink phase, and now the palette has been extended to include sky blue, orange sorbet, faded coral and soft green.
While this might sound daunting for fans of white t-shirts and jeans, it’s actually surprisingly easy to integrate pastels into your wardrobe, without sacrificing your masculinity. In fact, pastel shades can be incredibly flattering, if you choose the right one for your skin tone. Go for blues, greens and lilacs if you are pale, and oranges, pinks and yellows for darker skin.
Pastels look particularly good with light neutrals – beige, tan and grey – and with denim. In fact, the only thing they don’t look great with is other pastels. Just limit yourself to one pastel item per outfit – no one can pull off head to toe pastels.
The pastel t-shirt
This is probably the easiest way to get into the pastel trend. Pastel shades look great with denim, and colours such as faded tangerine or coral are perfect for the summer. Wear this pastel orange t-shirt to the beach, or layer under your favourite shirt to add a pop of colour to a casual outfit.
The pastel trainers
You know a trend has arrived when it gets the Adidas Originals treatment. These pale blue trainers are fresh and versatile – wear them with dark jeans or joggers, or just keep them in the box until they become a collector’s item in a few years’ time.
The pastel hoodie
It’s all too easy to catch yourself leaving the house in one block of colour – double denim, grey sweats and sweatshirt, or black on black – but a pastel hoodie is an easy way to add a pop of colour. Throw it on over a t-shirt, or layer it underneath a denim jacket or dark blazer.
![Topman Pastel Blue Chino Shorts]()
TopmanPastel Blue Chino Shorts£22SHOP NOWThe pastel shorts
If you’re still feeling wary of the pastel trend, use your next holiday to test it out. These pastel blue shorts were made for sunny days, and they are easily dressed down with a pair of flip flops and a long-sleeved t-shirt.
The pastel joggers
Coloured jogging bottoms are an easy way to make the most comfortable trousers in the world seem a bit more formal. Nike joggers are now available in great washed-out alternatives to the usual black or grey joggers. Wear with a longline tee and trainers by day, and with a smart jacket by night.
![Noose & Monkey Ellroy Suit Jacket]()
Noose & MonkeyEllroy Suit Jacket£120SHOP NOWThe pastel blazer
A pastel suit jacket is both stylish and traditional, making it the perfect choice for summer weddings or other formal occasions. The style featured (also available in pastel blue or pink) is quintessentially English and needs nothing more than a white shirt and black trousers to finish off the outfit.
The pastel chinos
Don’t be afraid of pastel chinos – they might look a bit ‘much’ on the hanger, but once you’re wearing them you’ll quickly realise how versatile they are. These pale pink chinos can be dressed up or dressed down. Add a shirt, a tie and a jacket and you’re ready for a business meeting; then roll up the hem and throw on a t-shirt and plimsolls for a BBQ in the park.
