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Pink: The Surprising History of a Color

That Wasn't Always Sweet

18th-century painting of a nobleman in a pink suit, reflecting pink’s history as a symbol of power and prestige before its modern reinvention.

Pink: Pretty, Powerful, and Full of Surprises
Think pink means soft and feminine? Think again. This color has a bold backstory tied to kings, soldiers, rebels, and rule breakers.


Once a Power Color
In the 18th century, pink signaled status and strength. European noblemen wore pink suits, and soldiers sported pink uniforms. It was bold, masculine, and anything but dainty.


Victorian Makeover
By the 19th century, pink softened. Victorians embraced it as a romantic, pastel hue symbolizing innocence and elegance. Pink lemonade and frilly decor became popular.


From Boys to Barbie
Before the 1940s, pink was for boys and blue for girls. Retailers flipped the script, and Barbie sealed pink’s place as the color of girlhood in 1959.


Pink as Rebellion
From Elsa Schiaparelli’s “shocking pink” to punk, pop, and LGBTQ+ pride, pink became fierce, loud, rebellious, and unapologetic.


Pink Today
Now, pink defies categories. Millennial

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