Do real men wear pink?

Macho or Sissy? An internet search reveals that this could be just another one of those historical throwbacks. At some point, pink was actually preferred for boys because of its strong striking hue and blue, which was associated with the Virgin Mary, was for girls.

It is said to be the colour of passion, at least according to Aerosmith’s song, titled Pink. But we all know it as a girls colour. Maybe it is the commercial world fault pushing all this pink things for baby girls, and Barbie’s and grown up girlie girls. Or women have a certain affinity to the mix of red and white. Whatever way you look at it, pink comes off as a feminine hue, the girl’s colour, almost to the point of becoming synonymous with pretty and delicate.

But today, we see men wearing pink. And not in subtle ‘I am ashamed to be wearing this and had nothing else to wear’ but in flagrant displays of the colour. Pink shirts, pink jackets, pink scarfs, pink ties, pink caps, pink shoes even the rare pink pants. Not to forget the pink cleverly disguised in florals, stripes and chequers, which all show up on shirts. For a colour formally eschewed by macho men and perceived to be too frivolous and girly, pink seems to be everywhere in men’s clothes!

An internet search reveals that this could be just another one of those historical throwbacks. At some point, pink was actually preferred for boys because of its strong striking hue and blue which was associated with the Virgin Mary, was for girls.

What is the general perception of men wearing pink, aside from the tired “it is a girl’s colour?” “It is a colour like any other says one, another says anything to break the monotony of that ‘boring to death blue white and cream’, yet another says that men who wear pink are sensitive. The woman who gives the last comment can’t explain how exactly one’s garment hue shows what is inside even when I put it to her that it is much like saying, wearing red makes a man a great lover and wearing white makes him pure or holy. So women do have qualms about wearing pink, one in three if my little research is anything to go by.

According to Ahmed Alame the proprietor of Viva and Oscar fashion which deals in mainly men’s fashion and boasts a, men wearing pink shirts is just a trend. It is not an indication that men are taking pink from the girls, or even back from the girls depending on what part of history you believe. In fact it is not a statement of any kind except maybe a fashion one. He echoes Luzzi Paul’s observation; “It goes well with other colours, black and grey.

It looks nice especially at occasions on top of this which is why men would prefer it. It doesnot stop at that as Alame gives another reason why men in pink are not news. From his observations of the merchandise currently flying off the shelf the trend like all others in fashion is moving on. And of late purple is the new pink at least in shirts. So yes, we can conclusively say, Men in pink? No big deal!

What do you think about wearing pink?

Victor Kakuba, skin specialist
I think pink is a great colour and it’s not really limited to women only. I for one own a pink shirt and I usually wear it, but you have to be very careful when matching it.

Erick Odongkara, programme manager
Pink is a good colour but I think for one to pull it off, the material matters. I think pink is also fashionable depending on when and what you wear it with.

Patriko Mujuka, actor
I like pink shirts. Pink is a unique colour. Pink shirts also go well with a black suit, cream suit, but I prefer it in black. You can also match a pink shirt with a nice matching tie to pull off your look.

Michael Kato, supervisor at Moil
Pink is a very nice colour and I love pink shirts. I also think a pink shirt is like a Benz, you easily stand out from the crowds. They are fashionable and you won’t find just anybody wearing it. You also need to be attractive as a man and a pink shirt can help you make that statement. I think pink is good for dark skinned people. Pink also goes well with black.

Suula Walusimbi, business man
Pink is not my favourite colour and few people even wear it. It also goes with very few colours, mostly black. However, I think one can still wear pink and be able to pull off the look but it takes a lot of guts for me to wear pink because it’s “shouting”. However, I wouldn’t mind wearing anything in that colour provided I look smart.

Peter Igaga, NTV MEN host
I think pink is not bad, but it has to be worn carefully. You should also have something dark to contrast it. It takes a bold man to wear pink. I personally do not love pink shirts. However, if a man can wear a pink shirt, then such a man is confident and trusts himself.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com