Pinkish mauve is a light pastel shade that combines pink and purple tones. It sits between the more vibrant pink and subdued mauve on the color wheel, creating a soft, feminine look.
Where does pinkish mauve fit on the color wheel?
The color wheel arranges colors by hue and shade. Pinkish mauve falls between pink and purple on the wheel, blending aspects of both into a unique color.
Pink sits opposite green on the color wheel. It is a secondary color created by combining the primary colors red and white. Pink contains more red tones and less white than pinkish mauve, giving it a brighter, bolder appearance.
Mauve is a tertiary purple tone that combines the secondary color purple with white to soften it. It has more white undertones than pinkish mauve, creating a more subdued effect.
By mixing pink and mauve together, pinkish mauve strikes a balance between vivid pink and muted mauve. It pulls the vibrant pop of pink into the hazy purple ground of mauve.
What are the hex, RGB, and CMYK codes for pinkish mauve?
Here are the main color codes for pinkish mauve:
| Hex Code | #D75DA3 |
| RGB Code | R: 215, G: 93, B: 163 |
| CMYK Code | C: 0, M: 57, Y: 24, K: 16 |
The hex code is a 6-digit HTML color code prefixed with a # sign. This code defines the exact shade of pinkish mauve on the web.
The RGB code specifies how much red, green, and blue is mixed to create the color. More red and blue than green is needed for pinkish mauve.
The CMYK code defines the amount of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink needed to print pinkish mauve. Magenta and yellow are dominant with less black for a softer look.
What colors make up pinkish mauve?
Pinkish mauve is composed of:
- Pink – Adds vibrancy and red/white tones
- Mauve – Contributes muted purple and white tones
- White – Softens and lightens the color
- Red – Brings warmth and vibrancy
- Blue – Cools down the tone and shifts it toward purple
By blending all of these colors together in different proportions, various hues of pinkish mauve can be created. More pink yields a brighter, bolder pinkish mauve. More mauve makes a dreamier, more subdued version.
How does pinkish mauve look different than regular pink and mauve?
Here’s how pinkish mauve compares to pink and mauve:
| Color | Description |
| Pink | Vibrant, bold, intense pink tone. More red than white undertones. |
| Pinkish Mauve | Subtle blend of pink and mauve. Soft, feminine tone. |
| Mauve | Muted purple with significant white undertones. More subtle than pinkish mauve. |
Pink is the brightest of the three, with the most saturation. Mauve is the most muted. Pinkish mauve strikes a balance between the two, taking the vibrancy of pink and cooling it down with mauve’s hazy purple.
When was pinkish mauve first used as a color name?
The first known use of the color name “pinkish mauve” was in 1988. However, shades approximating pinkish mauve have been around since the late 19th century.
In the Victorian era, mauve became a popular color for clothing and interiors. Mauve-toned dyes were first chemically produced in 1856, allowing the color to be mass produced.
Pastel pink also rose into prominence in the late 1800s. Using new chemical dyes, clothing makers created soft, delicate shades of pink.
By combining these popular pink and mauve tones, Victorian tastemakers likely produced early versions of pinkish mauve. But the specific name didn’t appear until over a century later in the 1980s.
What are some examples of pinkish mauve in nature?
While not extremely common, a few flowers and plants contain pigments that produce pinkish mauve hues. Examples include:
- Clematis flowers – Species like the Clematis tangutica have petals in shades of pinkish mauve.
- Peruvian lilies – These striking blooms come in pinkish mauve varieties.
- Heather shrubs – Heath plants like the Erica carnea produce tiny bell-shaped mauve-pink flowers.
- Pink ladies – These roses showcase gradients of pinkish mauve on the tips of their petals.
- Dusty miller – The silver-grey leaves of this plant have a pinkish mauve undertone.
The color is not super common in nature, but can be found in a handful of flowers, shrubs, and succulents that blend pink and lavender tones.
What are some cultural associations with pinkish mauve?
Here are some of the cultural connections and moods evoked by pinkish mauve:
- Femininity – Like pink, the color has traditionally feminine associations.
- Romance – Its soft, delicate nature evokes romance and charm.
- Nostalgia – Has an old-fashioned, vintage vibe, hearkening back to the Victorian era.
- Whimsy – Evokes a sense of fancifulness and imagination.
- Calmness – The muted tone has a gentle, peaceful quality.
- Elegance – Associated with refined sophistication and grace.
In many cultures, pinkish mauve reads as ultra-feminine, dreamy, and delicate. It triggers a sense of nostalgia along with feelings of charm and elegance.
What are some common color pairings with pinkish mauve?
Pinkish mauve pairs beautifully with other soft, muted pastel colors. Here are some complementary combinations:
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
| Pinkish mauve | Seafoam green |
| Pinkish mauve | Buttercream |
| Pinkish mauve | Lavender |
| Pinkish mauve | Baby blue |
| Pinkish mauve | Sage green |
These pastel color schemes create an ultra-feminine, dreamy aesthetic. Pinkish mauve also pairs well with metallic accents like rose gold and silver.
How is pinkish mauve used in fashion and interior design?
In fashion, pinkish mauve works beautifully for women’s clothing, accessories, and makeup. Specific uses include:
- Bridesmaid dresses in airy chiffon or lace
- Cashmere sweaters and lightweight scarves
- Slip dresses made of satin or silk
- Blush pinkish mauve eyeshadow and lipstick
- Feminine heels and purses
- Soft pinkish mauve nail polish
In decor, pinkish mauve can create a charming, romantic ambiance. Ideas include:
- Feature walls or accents in a powder room
- Drapes, pillows, and blankets in a bedroom
- Painting dressers, bookshelves, and thrifted furniture
- Mixing into florals and botanical prints
- Layering with cream, gray, and pale blue
The color works well when blended with other dusty pastels to create a dreamy, vintage vibe. Metallic accents also help pinkish mauve shine.
What colors can be made by combining pinkish mauve?
Mixing pinkish mauve with other colors produces soft, blendable new shades. Combinations include:
- Pinkish mauve + Lilac = Mauve pink
- Pinkish mauve + Peach = Dusty peach
- Pinkish mauve + Pale yellow = Pastel melon
- Pinkish mauve + Mint green = Seafoam
- Pinkish mauve + Lavender blue = Pale iris
Since pinkish mauve is a pastel base, adding more saturation via brighter colors allows you to mix up a wide palette of aesthetically pleasing shades.
What are some alternative names for pinkish mauve?
Pinkish mauve goes by many poetic names and variations. Some alternate terms include:
- Pale mauve
- Dusty mauve
- Lilac pink
- Mauve rose
- Pink heather
- Victorian pink
- Old rose
- Antique mauve
These names evoke the soft, nostalgic, feminine qualities associated with the color. They capture its blend of pink and mauve in creative ways.
Conclusion
With its blend of pink and mauve tones, pinkish mauve is a delicate, romantic color. Its soft, dream-like quality evokes nostalgia along with a feminine charm. In fashion and decor, pinkish mauve creates a lush, vintage aesthetic that pairs beautifully with other pastels. This distinctive shade stands out for its ability to mix pink’s cheer with mauve’s sophistication.