If you paid close attention to the spring 2026 menswear shows, it was hard not to notice the current presence of clothes in shades of muted, dusty pink — a color palette more commonly associated with women’s fashion than what most people wear every day. Yet it was there, on suits and separates at Brunello Cucinelli, on leather goods and outerwear at Louis Vuitton, and on all manner of apparel at Zegna and Dior.
“It’s a soft, soft pink,” says celebrity stylist Jane Yang of the moment, calling it one of her signature colors. “I remember sending a swatch to Fendi years ago for Jason Momoa. It was really before we saw a lot of peacocks on the red carpet.”
Dark pink suit by Brunello Cucinelli.
Courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli
For today’s menswear designers, creating clothes in these pink hues seems less about pushing the sartorial envelope and more about referencing history. Go back a long time and pink was considered perfectly appropriate for creating a commanding, masculine look.
In the 18th century, natural red fabric dyes made from Indian madder root and South American Brazil wood were key to producing the pink cloth that was worn by both men and women during the reign of King Louis XV. Famous Rococo portraitists including Maurice-Quentin de la Tour, François Boucher, and Jean-Baptiste Perroneau frequently used these soft shades in their paintings, associating pink with wealth, power, and sophistication. (See also: Salmon cloth wrapped around figure of Apollo in Boucher. sunrise and the all-pink suit in Peronneau’s 1756 portrait of the shipping magnate Olivier Journo.)
Saint Laurent calls the color of this silk shirt “Rose des Bois” or Rosewood.
Courtesy of Saint Laurent
It’s precisely the era that Jonathan Anderson referenced in his first menswear outing for Dior, for which he also applied color to preppy staples like a cable-knit sweater and a pair of pleated pants. “Pink has always been a welcome color in the prep wardrobe, from button-down shirts to polos to well-worn chinos or shorts,” says Gian de Leon, men’s fashion director at Nordstrom. “With this particular style more relevant than ever, it’s no surprise to see it gain steam once again.”
So what do real people look like? First: Stop worrying that it’s going to make you look weird. “Pink is probably one of the most illuminating tones for anyone,” says Yang. “It makes you look so alive and gives you color.” Second: Don’t think you have to buy a whole new wardrobe for it to work. “If you’re going to introduce it, you have to do it with muted tones,” she adds. Check out this season’s Hermès show, which paired a pink scarf with a cozy black jacket and brown trousers. Styled: Try it at the office, says Bloomingdale’s fashion director David Thilebiol, “where restraint is key.”
Head to toe pink in Zegna
Thanks to Zegna
Of course, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can commit to wearing it head-to-toe—and no shortage of great menswear can help. Think of it as the ultimate sign of confidence and a way to telegraph that you’re willing to take risks.
“If one thing people can take away from celebrity looks and runway collections is to allow themselves to go out and express themselves more, that’s amazing,” says Yang. “Let’s get on with it!”
