Sexism in colors has created great trouble for parents. Often, while shopping for clothes, you select a whole pink dress or some pinkish touch for your boy, but you end up leaving that outfit because pink is not for boys. The same happens for young girls’ shopping since they reject every blue item saying, this is a boy color. Sometimes, your boy selects apink outfit, but you are afraid of breaking the stereotype of pink, a girly color.
So why is pink color a girl color and blue a boy color? In the mid-19th century, pastel colors were introduced for baby clothing. Until the 20th century, these colors were not gender specific. Later, gender testing intrigued designers to make gender-specific clothes. Initially, pink was a boy’s color, and blue was for girls. Later, it was decided that pink should be for girls since it is delicate and blue is more robust, so it should be for boys.
Read this post if you want to kill the curiosity about why pink is for girls and blue for boys.
Why Did Pink Become for Girls and Blue for Boys?
In U.S hospitals, pink and blue outfits are used to signify boys and girls. So, why did pink become for girls and blue for boys? Before the popularity of pastel colors, people dressed their kids white until they were six years old. Pastel colors were introduced in mid 19th century; these colors were not gender-specific until the 20th century.
At the start of the 20th century, several famous clothing stores suggested pink for boys and blue for girls. The trend changed in 1940 when baby boomers dressed their boys in blueand girls in pink. They claimed that pink is a delicate color that suits girls and blue is vigorous, perfect for boys. With a surge in gender-oriented activities in 1980 and onward, pink became a fashion trend for girls and blue for boys.
When Did Pink Become for Girls and Blue for Boys?
In 1940, baby boomers started dressing their kids in sex-specific clothing. For those with no idea ofbaby boomers, let’s explain. After World War 2 in 1945, there was a considerable surge in birth between 1946 and 1964. Due to a significant increase in births these 22 years, the individuals were named “Baby Boomers.”
After the popularization of pastel colors, two colors were selected for babies. Pink was for boys and blue for girls. Baby boomers changed this norm and started dressing kids in gender-specific colors, usingpink for girlsand blue clothing for boys. Though theblueand pink trend faced many rises and falls in history, after gender reveals parties, pink became a highly recommended color for girls and blue for boys.
Who Said Pink Is for Girls and Blue for Boys?
Before 1940, there were many traditional conflicts between coexisting nations. Blue for girls and pink for boys, which is opposite to the current tradition, was first noted byPaoletti. It was a trend that kept fluctuating in history. However, it only gained strength after the 1980s when people became modernized and started following fashion trends in kids’ clothing. However, there is no evidence of the person who said pink is for girls and blue for boys.
What Are Boy Colors?
Gender specific colors were less common in ancient days. The typical boy colors that you might be familiar with are blue, yellow, green. But among all colors, blue is the most prominent one. It doesn’t mean that blue is not for girls. The trend of pink for girls and blue for boys has gained hype since 1980. The masculinity and femininity in colors have no definite rules. You can dress up your boy with any color of his choice. If you want, you can break the stereotype of color specifications in genders by dressing your kids in an outfit of any color.
Is Pink a Boy Color?
Initially, pink was a boy’s color since the early 19th century. According to history, pink became a feminine color after the second world war. Now, pink is for girls. It doesn’t mean that you can’t dress up your boy in pink. In fact, you should dress up your kids in any color regardless of following the sexism in colors.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you got the point of why pink is for girls and blue for boys. Sexism in colors was originated in the 19th century. Later, people started following the useless trend of color specifications in genders. However, you should never discourage your kids from trying different colored outfits. In this way, we can break the stereotype of sexism in colors.
FAQs
Pastel colors were introduced in mid 19th century; these colors were not gender-specific until the 20th century. At the start of the 20th century, several famous clothing stores suggested pink for boys and blue for girls. The trend changed in 1940 when baby boomers dressed their boys in blue and girls in pink.
Was pink a boy color and blue a girl color? ›
It wasn't until the 1940s that the color associations were reversed, with pink becoming a color associated with girls and blue with boys. One of the reasons for this shift in color associations can be traced back to marketing campaigns from the early 20th century.
Is blue a boy or girl color? ›
Since at least the 19th century, the colours pink and blue have been used to indicate gender, particularly for babies and young children. The current tradition in the United States (and an unknown number of other countries) is "pink for girls, blue for boys".
What is the gender stereotype pink for girls and blue for boys? ›
First half of the 20th century
Pink and blue were used together as "baby colors". Birth announcements and baby books used both colors well into the 1950s, and then gradually became accepted as feminine and masculine colors.
What do blue and pink symbolize? ›
“Blue has become a symbol of strength and masculinity, while pink symbolizes sweetness and femininity.”
What gender is Bluey? ›
The creators of "Bluey" have openly stated that Bluey is a girl.
Is pink in for men? ›
The Evolution of Pink in Men's Fashion
The fashion world has been evolving rapidly, and the boundaries of traditional gender-specific colors are fading away. Pink is making a strong comeback in men's fashion, with designers incorporating it into their collections.
Why did pink become a girl color? ›
The First inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953), when Eisenhower's wife Mamie Eisenhower wore a pink dress as her inaugural gown, is thought to have been a key turning point in the association of pink as a color associated with girls.
Is Grey a boy or girl color? ›
According to color historian Eva Heller, "grey is too weak to be considered masculine, but too menacing to be considered a feminine color.
Is blue a girl and magenta a boy? ›
Magenta is Miranda's pet and Blue's next-door neighbor and best friend. She is an artistic female puppy who loves to take and draw pictures, and she is also very friendly, just like her best friend Blue. Just like Blue, she cannot speak, but she can bark to communicate with others, mainly other dogs.
The trend changed in 1940 when baby boomers dressed their boys in blue and girls in pink. They claimed that pink is a delicate color that suits girls and blue is vigorous, perfect for boys. With a surge in gender-oriented activities in 1980 and onward, pink became a fashion trend for girls and blue for boys.
What is the best color for both boys and girls? ›
Gender-neutral colours like yellow, white, brown, green and orange are great choices for boys and girls alike. Even better, all of these colours can be paired with various shades of blue or pink if desired.
What does the color blue symbolize? ›
Blue is a primary color across all models of color space. It is the color of the ocean and the sky; it often symbolizes serenity, stability, inspiration, or wisdom. It can be a calming color, and symbolize reliability.
When did pink stop being a boy color? ›
The baby boomers in the 1940s were the first to be dressed in the sex-specific clothing that Americans are familiar with today. Boys and girls were dressed like miniature men and women instead of uniformly in children's dresses. Pink became the girls' color, blue the boys'.
Why do boys wear blue and girls wear pink? ›
In the 1940s, manufacturers began making clothing that color coordinated for young boys and girls, dividing the population between blue and pink color assignments based on what they believed the public would like and what they would buy. And eventually the gendered color codes we know today won out.
Is it OK to wear blue and pink together? ›
Pastel pink works beautifully with its opposite on the colour wheel. Clearly, opposites attract and play nicely, even though you may think they'd clash. Baby pink and blue can create a calming and serene environment. These pale tones make a fresh and inviting entrance way as shown in the photo below.
Is there such thing as boy colours and girl colours? ›
In Victorian times, blue was used for girls and pink for boys. At some point, probably around the 1920s or so, someone decided that pink was a feminine color and they swapped. It may have been due to the availability of new chemical dyes appearing, which began to be used on dresses. But the whole thing is bogus.
What are female colors? ›
There are many studies that show that women prefer purple and pink feminine color palettes. This is due to the fact that these colors are associated with femininity, which makes them more appealing to women.
Is purple a boy or girl color? ›
Purple is traditionally a “girl” color. In fact, women often pick purple as their favorite color while only a tiny percentage of men do. It makes sense then, that purple is seen in women's attire all the time, yet is practically non-existent in men's clothing.
Is green a boy or girl color? ›
Green, like yellow, is another traditionally neutral baby colour. Quite often, gender-neutral baby clothes pair light or pastel green with pale yellow and white. Most shades of green function as neutrals when paired with other colours.
