Pink? But That's a Girl's Colour!

Rose, Fuchsia, Barbie, Flamingo...

Debunking the myths around society's much-discussed hue

"Boys can't wear pink!"

"Barbie's favourite colour!"

"You wouldn't catch me wearing that!" *barf*

Pink, pinker, pinkest! The Mean Girls trio. Image: PinkNews (really!) 

Nothing says divisive, gender-based segregation than the 'pink for a girl, blue for a boy' mantra. Of all the colours of the rainbow, pink has had more than its fair share of misuse and misguided abuse. But what is the origin of the stereotype that pink is for girls? Can boys really wear pink? (Spoiler alert! The answer is yes!)

The one-and-only Leonardo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby. Image: Celebsclothing

Historically, pink was actually worn more by boys than girls. The reason for this was that pink, as a diluted but still potent form of red, conjured up ideas of strength, battle, blood and other such manly associations. Although infants and young children were usually dressed in plain, neutral tones to minimise the use of expensive dyes, up until the 19th century the rosy hue was mainly favoured by boys. Girls often sported the calmer, more tranquil blue, thought to better suit their docile nature.

Thomas Lawrence's 1794 painting, dubbed Pinkie. Image: Wikipedia

So, what changed? In the aftermath of World War ll many people chose to express the end of rationing and society's return to normality in their dress. Designers such as Christian Dior and Elsa Schiaparelli opted for bright, exciting, happy hues under the umbrella of 'pink'. As people began to shop commercially rather than make up their own outfits, it was extremely important to take note of what the icons of day were strutting out in. High-profile personalities such as Mamie Eisenhower and Jayne Mansfield created massive buzz in outfits of unapologetic pink-ness, spurring women all over the Western World to imitate the look. 

Jayne Mansfield in her House of Love. Image: WordPress

Still, it was only until about the 1970s that the trend started to seriously impact sales of gendered clothing for babies. Toy manufacturers soon caught onto the shift and began to advertise ranges catered specifically to boys and girls, the identifier being blue for boys, pink for girls. Gradually it became what is still is today: the way a young child learned about what it means to be a girl or boy: if they are a girl, they should enjoy wearing pink dresses and play with dolls, and if they are a boy, it's normal to play with fire engines and wear blue. What was initially one of fashion's phases became a hugely influential commentary on the role of gender and colour in society. As a result, pink is the most politicised colour out there. It will define our gender, and even our sexual orientation, if we let it.

The Pink and Blue Project by JeongMee Yoon. Image: JeongMee Yoon

Hold the phone and shut the front door! You're saying anybody off the street can judge me on what colour I'm wearing that day? That's ridiculous! And it is. As one critic of the pink-for-girls trend said, wearing head-to-toe black used to be a symbol of mourning, yet we don't ask a person if someone's died if they favour the colour. Why should pink be any different?

Cinderella was a fan of blue. Image: Pinterest

The 2000s ushered in a new kind of pink-promoting pop-culture. Legally Blonde, with the incorrigible Elle Woods, and teen flick Mean Girls, with the immortal "On a Wednesday's wear pink" line, helped to consolidate the idea that any self-respecting female held it in her best interests to wear pink loud 'n' proud.

Reese Witherspoon rocking pink in Legally Blonde. Image: Cosmopolitan

Despite all of the above, pink is finally being reclaimed as a colour for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Millennial pink has risen from the ashes of the misinformed gender-based melee, and it's as inclusive as you like! Celebs such as Drake and Jay Z are notable fans of the colour, and have been snapped wearing it out a fair few times as well as in music videos. The stereotype that says pink is synonymous with femininity and sweetness is being discarded en mass. Solange's gorgeous video for Cranes in the Sky shows her wearing a selection of pink get-ups which transcend the mildly nauseating girly vibe perpetuated in the 2000s, and head straight for a new era of inspired rosy loveliness. As told by Stylist magazine, "Pink is the shade of the feminist revolution, radical femininity and the anti-gender construct zeitgeist." 

Solange in her Cranes in the Sky video. Image: YouTube

Where does that leave me and pink? Wherever you like! It's time to depoliticise and redefine the colour and knock it down a peg or two. It should no longer define you; it's time you defined it: as fun, classy, bold, sassy, powerful and individual— as long as it's up to you!

Our peachy Stone dress: pink 'n' proud!

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Climate Concerns

Global Climate Change Week

Global Climate Change Week is coming up folks— it begins on October 9th! In light of this, we thought we'd take the opportunity to share some info about the climate. 

Alaska, the home of these bears, is being hit pretty hard by the effects of global warming

So what is going on with climate change today? 

Good question. Whether you believe in it or don't, or just aren't sure who to believe, here's the lowdown.

The Technical Stuff

Earth's climate has always fluctuated, since before the dinosaurs were hanging out with us, but the biggest human-made change in climate in the UK was during the Industrial Revolution, which began in the 1700s. This marked the point when industries began to use fossil fuels to replace renewable fuels such as wood or water. In the mid-1800s scientists discovered just how effective gases like CO₂ are at trapping heat— and began to realise how much was released into the atmosphere as a result of the Industrial Revolution.

It's interesting to note how much the industrialisation of the Western world relied on fossil fuels, and the consequences of this. Many people are still only just realising the impact of everyday actions on the climate.

According to NASA, the evidence of our changing climate can be found in 'ice cores', which are "cylinders of ice drilled out of an ice sheet or glacier", in Greenland and Antarctica. Ancient tree rings and layers of sedimentary rock can also provide evidence for significant climate change. This evidence shows that global warming is increasing at the rate of—brace yourselves—ten times the average rate of global warming, measured against millions of years of atmospheric changes on Earth. Scary, huh? For a thorough, reliable and eye-opening source on climate change, click here.

A joint statement issued by 11 international science academies in 2005 summarises: "The evidence [for climate change] comes from direct measurements of rising surface air temperatures and subsurface ocean temperatures and from phenomena such as increases in average global sea levels, retreating glaciers, and changes to many physical and biological systems". However: before things start to feel depressing, let's take a look at the future... #crystalball

A graph showing carbon dioxide levels over 400 000 years

Coping with Climate Change

NASA reckons the 'solution' to climate change (yes! There is one!) has 2 main parts: mitigation, or reducing the amounts of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere; and adaptation, or how we can adapt ourselves to our changing climate, including what it might be like in 200 years.

There are some really inspirational stories of cities which have taken climate concerns into their own hands: Samsø, a Danish island, "achieved carbon neutrality" in about 5 years in the late '90s through eschewing fossil fuels and replacing them with clean, renewable energy sources such as wind turbines. Amazingly, these turbines were funded by the inhabitants of Samsø themselves! How about that?

You may have heard of the Paris Agreement— this is a large part of the United Nations' current work on climate change awareness and action, on an international scale. According to its website, the UN declares that the Paris Agreement "brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so". Exciting, no? It might seem on a small scale as if agreements like this are not doing enough to combat the effects of climate change, but it's really a huge step in the right direction. It means that climate change is finally an issue of international importance. More on the Paris Agreement and the UN here.

How can you help? 

Educate yourself! (This blog's a great place to start, we say). Leonardo DiCaprio has set up his own foundation, the LDF (Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation) which is "dedicated to the long-term health and wellbeing of all Earth's inhabitants". The LDF website is full of great info on climate change, vulnerable marine life and landscapes, plus much more. Check it out here. 

For a closer-to-home company focused on clean energy production, look no further than Ecotricity, founded by Stroud's very own Dale Vince. They are pioneers for a cleaner, more effective and eco-friendly source of energy. Ecotricity are contributing to local economy and sustainability in a fantastic way. So there you have it: a provider of clean, green energy so you can binge Netflix guilt-free! More about Ecotricity here.

You could also... Buy all your clothes from Madia & Matilda! Yes, this really is a solution. Supporting small local businesses is important as it boosts local economy and morale. As to our business, it is founded with ethical and ecological concerns at heart. We upcycle materials and breathe new life into pre-loved garments, meaning that our carbon footprint is as small as possible.

Altering your diet to include less meat could also significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Cows and sheep are famously good producers of methane, a hefty greenhouse gas. There are many other arguments surrounding the production of meat, focussing on the ethics/lack of in the meat industry— but let's save that for another day (don't think you're off the hook, steak lovers: more on this another time!)

Interestingly, shelling out for an electric car won't result in a cut to your carbon emissions as effectively as maintaining and using your old car properly will (at least according to the Guardian). If looked after, cars will go and go, unless you're one of those people who loves to drive through Scottish lochs in your holidays.

For loads more ways to reduce your own carbon footprint, look at this cool article by The Guardian, or do your own research! There are SO MANY ways to do your bit. (Please share your findings with us if you hit anything super good!) +Madia & Matilda follow us on Instagram or twitter.

Sincerely Madia & Matilda