pink

Being quite the girly-girl, pink has always been a present color (though never a primary one). Just a few weeks ago, I had a overwhelming urge to wear something pink. And when I say “pink,” I mean that sugery-sweet cotton-candy color of soft pink. But I was shocked when I turned to a completely lacking closet. Who pulled the plug and drained all of the pink from my closet?! Despite the frilly skirts, puffy sleeves, and silk shirts that abound in my wardrobe—it’s as if the absence of pink is a ding to my femininity.

Being the youngest of four and the only girl, I’ve been swaddled in pinks from the day I was born. From the hot pink tu-tu for my tap dancing recital to the elegant blush-colored easter dress—pink has always been en vogue in my fashion book. However, its been a surprising 10 years since I last recall purchasing a pink clothing piece…it was a short-sleeved angora sweater since lost from my collection. One day while wearing said sweater my grandfather commented on how pretty I looked. It was an out-of-the-blue sort of compliment, the kind that gets to you the most. It wouldn’t have surprised me if I went on wearing pink every day just because of it.

So the moment I noticed the pink flight in my closet, I promptly set out to rectify the situation. Much to my dismay, I’ve been completely unsuccessful. Sure, I’m sorely lacking in finances and so I’ve been relegated to the very inexpensive LA street-side shops…but surely there are other gals out there who also want pink?! Are we that limited to the color trends that when a girl is searching for the perfect pink blouse, there’s not one to be found?

Of course, I have found some pink-ish articles of clothing. The $3 bargain ribbed tank in either barely-there pink or fuschia. The light pink polo shirt. And a number of loud, look-at-me pinks that simply don’t begin to fit the bill. What I’m looking for is the understated, makes-you-feel –like-a-woman-the-minute-you-put-it-on sort of pink clothing…not too white of a pink and not too bright of a pink.

Searching Ebay for “pink” under women’s clothing returned gauds of lingerie, Victoria Secret branded “Pink,” and a varied assortment of fashion disasters. I had a momentary spark of hope when I remembered Betsey Johnson – her stores are clad in pink, surely she must have something. Turnign to Ebay once again, I was disappointed. While there was one gorgeous Betsey Johnson party dress and another lovely blouse…neither were in my size (nor my budget).

So what’s a girl to do? I think I have no choice but to dive even deeper into the feminine and pull out my sewing machine. When the world doesn’t present me with the choices that I care to choose from, I’m always glad to be able to choose my own way. And hopefully, with a quick trip to the fabric district and an afternoon with my faithful machine – I’ll be frolicking on a hillside out in the blue yonder….wearing nothing but fabulous PINK!

<<<*P.S.*>>> I did take to my machine…but ended up sewing a dress in blue. The dress fit so fantastically I decided to make a skirt in the same pattern, using a fabulous piece of material I’d been saving. It’s a woven wool with both pink and black threads. I’m particularly proud of this article as I took the extra effort to finish off the inner seams with a Hong Kong finish, using the most fabulous color of pink silk (of which I also added a pleat panel with). And if this weren’t enough…I finally found a bargain of a shirt quite unexpectedly…which I think fits the bill quite nice. It’s good to be back in pink again!