Copse and Spinney

Originally published on January 6, 2023|Color Stories at Natural Posh Vintage.com

Every January after carefully putting away all the Christmas decorations, I settle into winter mode. The decor is usually still in grays and whites with sheep fur throws, candles, greenery and white crocheted snowflakes. But this year was different. Pink peonies and roses, Valentine hearts, strawberry cream yogurt, heart shaped cookies with a strawberry jelly center called my name! Pink, in my mind, is color of the season. And it’s not even February yet!  

Some time ago, I started keeping track of color moods in my journal as a way to remember people and events as related to color.  Here I have compiled  a few of my “Pink” Memories.

My first diary was pink…

 This was a dress (above) that my great grandmother made for me when she was 93. I was three.  It was made from a cotton Swiss dot material and had flutter sleeves!

Leah (below) at age six, in a pink raw silk and tulle dress looks like a ballerina princess! 

There is just something wonderful about walking outside in the evening only to discover that who sky has turned pink!

Pink had a huge resurgence with the whole Coquette Aesthetic  and “Ballerina core” which reached a peak in popularity with teens in the last few years. I learned about “Coquette style” in a pretty round about way…(because it is just a reinvented y2k style.)

I once had a white cotton pointelle camisole that I really enjoyed. It had small rosebuds on the fabric and three or four dainty buttons at the top. I just knew I really liked that kind of fabric and kind of missed it.  In my search, I kept coming across this word for dainty printed pointelle fabric tanks that were tagged “coquette style”,

While looking for a similar tank to replace the one that was long gone, it was fun to discover that the three button girly “Henley” style tanks actually got their name because they were styled after the traditional uniform of rowers in the English town of Henley-on-Thames. I did not know this.  

Its interesting how each generation translates the styles of the past and makes it their own. I wore pink ballet flats in high school with white lacy tights, a white petticoat under a dress covered in tiny rose buds.  At the time, Laura Ashley was extremely popular and has made quite a comeback with  Cottage Core style. 

My daughter got me this cute pink and cream vintage pajama jacket (below) with tulip shaped🌷 pockets. We wanted to give it a little “uplift”, so we added a small touch of bows with pearls on the buttons! It pairs nicely with the cotton pointelle ballet style top shown in the second picture!

Have fun and be yourself no matter your age. You are unique and special. !

Try adding pink in a simple accessory like pink ballet flats with a long dress or a pink purse that’s “Chanel Style”! Most of us may never own a Chanel purse (they cost as much as a small car!) But there are many cute purses that can match the aesthetic.  (Vera Bradley and other designers have made some pretty cute Chanel style purses. 

Adding little bits of pink and some hearts to your home decor, gives a delicate touch. It is said that the color pink brings a sense of calmness. 

There are so many variations of the color pink from a soft baby pink, to blush pink and cotton candy pink etc. If you are more into a natural color palette, and if you like natural fibers and diy, you can make your own natural pink dye using Avocado peelings. These vintage lace pieces have been dyed in this way.

Borrowing from time honored classic styles and French romanticism, you can add small touches of pretty pink in unexpected ways: adding a rosebud print tank under a Henley top, a pair of heart shaped earrings, or a pearl necklace to dress up an outfit.

Men can sport some pink too! Pink is not gender specific. My dad, who grew up in the 1950’s said that pink and grey were all the rage and one of his favorite shirts was a pink and grey button down.

Pink is the color of some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. God’s glory is seen in a gorgeously pink sky! But the steadfast love of the Lord reaches to the heavens! Psalm 36:5)  

Fashions may come and go but there is nothing new under the sun.  Everything that’s happening now has been before. (My grandma who was a seamstress for a living, once told me that the styles keep repeating themselves.) 

I hope you have enjoyed this feature about the color pink. Please check out my other color stories… blue, green and red! 

                               “Seasons may change, passions may fade
                               But one thing remains
                               Fashions they pass, here for a day
                               But one thing remains

                               I’ll always love, I’ll always love
                               I’ll always love Your name”  ~song by Matt Redman