Ageless style: Wardrobes staples for everyone by fashion stylist Arabella Greenhill

Updated: 15:24 BST, 12 August 2023

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Unless you live under a rock, you’ll be aware of the Barbie effect dominating fashion, with designers such as Valentino dedicating much of their latest collections to the vibrant shade.

Pink can be a way to look ultra-feminine, but if that’s not your style, how do you pull off the colour without actually looking like a Barbie?

Blazer, £69.99, zara.com. Top, £21, boden.co.uk. Trousers, £45, marksandspencer.com. Necklace, £49.99, and earrings, £19.99, pilgrim.net. Bag, £50, shop.mango.com. Sandals, £95, dunelondon.com

Wear now

Pink comes in many tones, so experiment to find the one that suits you best. Bright pink goes well with black or navy, while pastel shades work with whites and creams. Feeling adventurous? Try colour-blocking – orange and green are striking when paired with pink. Or go tonal, with one shade of pink on top, and another on your lower half.
For an elegant balance choose a grown-up, tailored silhouette. And team plain pink pieces with neutrals (see right).
When dressing head-to-toe in pink, keep accessories neutral and opt for gold jewellery, which complements the colour best.

Wear later

While not typically considered an autumnal shade, try pairing pink with dark browns and mustard. The splash of colour will make a statement. Mix up textures, too – such as a pink knit with a satin slip skirt.