Painting the Town Pink and Purple

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

In a time of unknowns — who will be elected president, how the economy will fare in the coming months — women this spring have turned to a familiar and reliably beautiful wardrobe choice: pink, from the lightest blush to a deep purple shade, in day and evening.

Nature, of course, has signaled its agreement, with cherry blossoms and wisteria blooming all around town. And it will continue to do so, with gorgeous pink peonies and roses on the way. The Conservatory Ball at the New York Botanical Garden on June 5, and the Rose Garden Dinner at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on June 10, will be fine spots to see both women and flowers in bloom.

Party decorators are in on the pink and purple scheme, too, covering tabletops at fund-raising dinners with pink and purple flowers and glassware. The Paper Bag Players had a pink paper cake for their 50th anniversary, which its founder, Judith Martin, matched. At the Joyce Theater’s 25th anniversary gala at the IAC Building, the décor went a step further, with a digital wall lit purple and the names of the dance troupes that have performed at the Joyce scrolling across.

Pink has sometimes suffered a bad reputation as a too-feminine or unserious color. Women this season have put the color in good standing by wearing it in modern, monochromatic styles without a lot of frills, as well as in hot and neon shades — and looking fantastic.

Another perk of pink is that goes well with the black of a man’s tuxedo.

agordon@nysun.com


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