Stylist Kenny Ho on the Pastel Trend for Men

Pastel colors are a significant current trend spanning from luxury brands to mainstream retailers, according to stylist Kenny Ho. Ho, who has dressed actors including Luke Evans and Aidan Turner, advises men to research which shades suit their complexion before adopting the look.

Choosing the right pastel shade requires understanding your skin's undertone. The color wheel is divided into warm colors like red and orange, and cool colors like green and blue. A simple test involves looking at the veins on your arm; blue veins indicate a cool undertone, while greenish veins suggest a warm one. The general rule is to choose clothing colors from the opposite side of the wheel from your undertone.

There are also 'soft' and 'hard' pastels to consider. Soft pastels are more washed out, while hard pastels are more vibrant. The article breaks down which types work best for different complexions.

Fit and Silhouette

When wearing pastels, avoid combining them with skinny fits, as this can look childish. Instead, opt for a looser slim fit. Kenny Ho recommends tailored blazers, slim-fit chinos, and shorts in bright pastels as good items for experimentation. He cautions against going too oversized, however, noting that pastel colors can make you look bigger than you are, so maintaining a slimmer silhouette is key.

Incorporating Pastels into Different Styles

Pastel suits can work for smart settings like summer weddings, which tend to have less strict dress codes. Ho suggests trying a pastel suit with a white T-shirt and sneakers for a summer party that requires dressing up. The suit's cut should be slim and neat, favoring summer-weight wools and cotton blends over linen. Single-breasted jackets are easiest, but modern four-button double-breasted styles can also work. Trousers should be cropped at the ankle and worn with loafers or sneakers.

For streetwear, introducing color into an existing wardrobe is advised over starting from scratch. Pair a mint green sweatshirt with ripped black denim, or soft lemon sneakers with other items. The 'ton sur ton' approach, wearing different shades of a single color from head to toe, is riskier but can look effortless when done well. Start with a top in a color that suits your skin tone and use darker shades of the same hue on the bottom.

Updating preppy style involves swapping traditional collegiate colors for more subdued pastels. The advice is to stick to one or two key pastel pieces at a time, mixing them with contemporary staples like denim, sneakers, hoodies, and Oxford shirts.

Accessories and Specific Garments

Sneakers are an easy entry point for adding a pop of color. Minimalist tennis shoes or retro classics are a more refined choice than bulky running or basketball sneakers, which can look childish in pastels. For shirts, soft shades like sky blue and pink work well with ties, while more vibrant tones are better for casual Oxford or Cuban collar shirts.

Chinos now come in a wide range of colors and look best cut slim in slightly washed-out shades of pink, blue, or green. For sweatshirts, choose hard pastels with bold logos for the gym, and softer plain versions for the office or pub. If starting from an all-black wardrobe, small items like socks or a baseball cap, or formal accessories like a silk tie or pocket square, can be an easy first step into pastels.