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I don't know about you, but I'm not getting NEARLY enough sleep these days, what with my uncontainable excitement about the holidays. And also my completely insane work schedule, and the two nights a week of pee wee basketball practice, and the laundry and the bills and ...
Anyway, I'm tired of looking tired, so I have busted out my Secret Weapon: my pink scarf.
Lightweight cashmere scarf in punch, J. Crew, $68.00
Adult women tend to shy away from wearing pink, for fear that it will make us look too girly and not smart or competent enough. We default to dark neutrals -- black, brown, navy -- in an effort to look more qualified and business like. Honestly, though, all that dark fabric really just makes us look tired.
Pink is universally flattering, because it draws out the healthy color in your face, or at least mimics color. Think about little kids coming in from the cold with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. You can get that healthy, happy look, too, by adding just a shot of pink to your everyday wardrobe.
Start by choosing a shade of pink that is flattering to your skin tone. Pinks range from sheer, light pastel shades to bright, brilliant fuschias; you can look for a pink with a blue or an orange undertone, depending on your coloring and preference. Hold scarves and sweaters up under your chin, in strong light, and see how you look -- healthy and happy, or washed out and wan? Go with the shades that give you a lift.
Wear a pink sweater on its own or over a white shirt or under your suit jacket. Layer a pink scarf at the collar of your dark neutral winter coat, or add a pink hat and gloves for a little pop of color. Even a simple necklace of pink beads can liven up a classic neutral silhouette.
A sheer or lightly tinted pink lip gloss can also wake your face up, as can a soft wash of pink blush. But don't overdo it; bubble gum pink cheeks and lips with a PeptoBismol toned sweater really will make you look like a little girl. A badly dressed little girl, to be honest.
What other style tricks can you try to look a little less tired and more festive? Style Shaker has the dish on gray dresses, which are lighter than the classic black, but just as chic.
Don't own a pink scarf? That's okay -- tis the season for shopping, and Molly at These Little Moments wants to know what you've bought yourself this year.
And finally, real men DO wear pink, at least at the rodeo: keep your eye out for Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer fund raisers in your community. My husband works for a cancer center and recently attended a Tough Enough event, and while he did not wear pink, he came home talking about how touched he was, and about what a great program this is. Next time, we're going to take our kids, and you bet we will all be wearing pink.
Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and The Working Closet and Fashion Find. She does not own the J. Crew cashmere scarf pictured here, and she's wondering why that is.
