Baby pink is a light and delicate shade of pink that has traditionally been associated with babies and young children. The exact tone can vary, but in general true baby pink tends to be a very pale, soft pink. Some key things to know about the color baby pink:
Intro
Baby pink got its name because it is commonly used for baby girl clothing and nursery decor. It connotes softness, innocence, and femininity. The color became strongly gendered as blue was marketed for baby boys and pink for girls especially in the 1940s-1950s. Today, the term baby pink still evokes imagery of traditional baby girl items.
Where does the term “baby pink” come from?
The term baby pink has been used since at least the early 20th century to refer to a soft, light pink shade associated with baby girls. Some sources suggest it came into use in the 1940s when pink was being strongly marketed for girls and blue for boys. However, the term appears earlier such as in 1918 with a reference to “baby pink coat” for a little girl.
While pink had been a common color for baby clothing in the early 1900s, the 1940s and 50s saw a strong increase in gendered color marketing. Retailers actively promoted pink for girls and blue for boys. Baby pink stood out as the perfect soft, delicate shade for baby products. The name baby pink has stuck ever since as a way to describe the pale pink shade we still commonly see in baby girl clothing today.
What are the origins of the color pink?
The color pink itself has roots dating back centuries, though its associations with gender are more modern.
In medieval and Renaissance art, colors had symbolic meaning more so than gender association. Pink was derived from the flowers called “pinks” which had frilly edged petals. The color pink came to symbolize love, beauty, and femininity without necessarily linking directly to female gender.
Starting in the 18th century, pink gained more widespread use in women’s fashion. However, boys and men also wore pink clothing. Pink was seen as a delicate and refined color, and was used for dressing upper class babies as well.
The stronger association of pink with girls and blue with boys accelerated in the early-mid 20th century. Department stores promoted pink for girls and blue for boys, linking color and gender. Pink was seen as an inherently feminine, gender-appropriate color for baby girls in this marketing shift. The soft baby pink continues to be used for baby girls today.
What are some different shades of baby pink?
There is a range of pink hues that can be considered baby pink:
– Pastel Pink – A very light and soft pink. Minimal saturation.
– Blush Pink – Has a touch more color saturation than pastel pink. Equal parts soft pink and white.
– Ballerina Pink – A light pink with a very subtle hint of purple or lavender. May also be called ballet slipper pink.
– Fairy Pink – Extremely pale, with a slightly purplish/blue tint.
– Tickle Me Pink – A light peachy take on pink.
– Piglet Pink – A very pale pink that is subtly flesh-toned.
The most typical baby pink is a very light pastel pink, blush pink, or barely pigmented ballet slipper pink. These all share a soft, muted, delicate quality while having enough pink tone to be clearly pink.
How does baby pink differ from other shades of pink?
Baby pink is differentiated from other types of pink by being an extremely light, subtle tone of the color. Here are some comparisons:
– Hot Pink – A vivid bold pink that is highly saturated. Much brighter than soft baby pink.
– Candy Pink – Also bright and highly saturated like hot pink.
– Rose Pink – A medium pink tone inspired by rose petals. More color than baby pink.
– Cotton Candy Pink – Very pale like baby pink but cooler toned and with more blue undertone (vs. yellow/peach in baby pink)
– Salmon Pink – A light orangey pink. Still has too much saturation to be a true baby pink.
– Bubblegum Pink – A bright, cool-toned pink. Too intense for baby pink.
Baby pink is most similar to pastel pink, blush pink and ballet slipper pink because of its lightness. But it differs from those in small ways – blush leans more peachy, ballet more subtle purple vs. baby pink’s clean soft pink. Overall though, the palest end of the pink family spectrum defines baby pink.
How do you make the color baby pink?
Baby pink can be made a couple different ways:
– Tinting white with a small amount of pure pink pigment. The less pigment added, the paler the baby pink.
– Mixing a large portion of white paint/ink with a small portion of light pink paint/ink. For example, starting with white and adding 5-10% light pink.
– Combining light amounts of pale red and pale blue pigment to make a soft, delicate pink.
– Mixing white, red, and blue equally to create a less saturated pink.
– Adding a tiny touch of yellow and dark pink to white paint to tone down the darkness.
In print and web design, baby pink is commonly created by using a pink hex code like #FFCEDA, #FCDFFF, or #FCEBF5 and applying a semi-transparent white overlay on top to wash it out. Overall, combining white with a little pink pigmentation is key for achieving that ideal baby pink look.
What are hexadecimal codes for baby pink colors?
Here are some commonly used hex codes to get a true baby pink color in design programs:
– #FFD1DC – A very pale pink with 91% red, 82% green, and 86% blue.
– #FFDFFD – 92% red, 87% green, and 99% blue creates light pink.
– #FCCFE2 – 98% red, 81% green, 89% blue is a peachy soft pink.
– #FCEAFA – 98% red, 92% green, 98% blue gives a pale pink.
– #FAE0F5 – A lighter baby pink with 98% red, 88% green, 96% blue.
– #FFDBEF – 100% red, 86% green, 94% blue makes a nice pastel pink.
– #FFE1F2 – Another good option with 100% red, 88% green, 95% blue.
Any hex code in the #FFC0 – #FFF0 range will produce an appropriately pale baby pink color when used on a web page or digital design. The goal is keeping the saturation very low.
How is baby pink used in fashion and design?
Baby pink has enduring popularity in the fashion world, especially for clothing and accessories for little girls. It commonly appears in baby and toddler girl outfits, dresses, onesies, hair accessories, shoes and more.
Beyond fashion, baby pink sees frequent use in:
– Nursery decor – Wall paint, cribs, blankets, lamp shades
– Baby shower themes and designs
– Scrapbooking pages about babies or young girls
– Party supplies like invitations or balloons for baby showers or girl’s birthdays
– Icing and cake decorations for girls’ birthday cakes
– Women’s fashion – blouses, skirts, jackets, purses, etc.
– Logo design – Some girly brands use baby pink in all or part of their logos
– Decor like throw pillows, rugs, vases and other home decor items
The soft, delicate nature of baby pink makes it fit well aesthetically for many things involving babies, girls, women and/or femininity. It has become a staple girly color in our culture.
What colors go well with baby pink?
Some colors that complement and look great paired with baby pink include:
– White – Provides contrast and makes the pink pop while still keeping the feel light and airy.
– Gray – Subtle gray is the perfect accent color with baby pink. Works well in nursery decor.
– Gold – Adds a luxe feel. Especially nice together in fashion.
– Mint Green – Fresh pastel mint green complements the pink softly.
– Lavender – Mixing light purple and pink gives a delightful Spring vibe.
– Yellow – Cheerful with pink for a sunny girly look.
– Blue – Opt for pale sky blue rather than navy. Baby blue + pink screams girl in a sweet way.
– Silver – Metallic silver pairs nicely with pink for jewelry, accessories, decor.
Sticking with lighter more delicate shades allows the colors to enhance the femininity of the baby pink. Dark or super bold colors tend to clash rather than complement.
Are there any cultural associations with baby pink?
Baby pink is strongly associated with girl babies and femininity in American culture as well as throughout Europe. However, perspectives on the color vary across cultures:
– Western cultures like the US and Europe show strong gendering of baby pink for girls and this has been true since the 1940s-50s.
– In Asia, pink is also considered feminine but less exclusively “for girls” than in the West. Pink apparel for boys is not uncommon in some Asian countries.
– Sweden has worked to move away from gendered pink/blue in recent years. Gender-neutral baby schemes including pale yellow, green, and gray are now common.
– Gender divide over pink is still minimal in many African and Latin American countries. Pink doesn’t carry feminine-only baggage in these regions.
So while baby pink reads as a very girly color for babies and kids in American culture, it’s important to note that this association arose fairly recently and is not necessarily universal across all world cultures. The strong feminine meaning attached to pink is culturally constructed, not innate to the color itself.
Conclusion
Baby pink is an extremely light and muted pink shade that originated from the historical use of palest pink in baby girls’ clothing and nursery decor. It maintains strong feminine connotations in most Western cultures. While any very light pink can qualify as baby pink, the most typical versions contain a touch of yellow/peach to soften the tone and make it more delicate. Baby pink as a description is more about the washout pale pinkness than a specific color mixture. Through its use over the past 70+ years in baby fashions and designs, the term baby pink has cemented its status as the go-to color for anything involving girl babies or expressing traditional femininity.
| Color Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Pastel Pink | #FFD1DC |
| Blush Pink | #FCDFFF |
| Piglet Pink | #FCEBF5 |
