Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Unflip

1 2

Original poster

The colour pink?

30 replies

pinkorno · 02/09/2023 12:43

Hi!

just thought this would be a friendly debate or discussion point maybe?

do you consider pink an unprofessional colour, if so, why?

for example, I was recently told off at work for wearing pink because it’s unprofessional. But all other colours are ok (blue, purple, yellow etc) it’s just pink that’s a problem. Obviously pink is a colour that anyone can like but it’s traditionally in the past it’s been associated in our society as being linked to femininity/women/girls etc. I suppose it made me wonder, why is femininity therefore synonymous with unprofessional?

(I’m sitting here trying to write an important essay for work on something completely different and im just procrastinating and doing anything I can to avoid it lol so just thinking about all of this as a distraction haha)

just wondered what other people’s thoughts on it were? 🙂

OP posts:

Annoyingnamechangerperson · 02/09/2023 13:58

I love pink it’s my favourite colour and I’m about as far from a ‘Barbie / legally blonde girl’ as you can get.
Whenever I see someone in pink I think oooh my favourite colour 😂
I did recently see a speech therapist with my son who wore a shiny red pleather skirt and I did think that wasn’t appropriate for work, mainly because they tend to get on the floor with the children but that said she look fabulous in it 😁

TheAloe · 02/09/2023 13:53

Who told you off and why did you listen?

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 02/09/2023 13:51

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 02/09/2023 12:50

Does that matter though? Would a green/blue/purple suit be questioned? I'm asking a genuine question not being snippey

Is it the brightness that's an issue? 🤔

Show quote history

I'm not sure. Pink to me is a fun colour I suppose so head to toe is a bit 'out there' for work at least. What OP describes sounds perfectly ok

Original poster

pinkorno · 02/09/2023 13:44

Hufflepods · 02/09/2023 13:39

True though. Why would you make change for this post?

Show quote history

What do you mean?

OP posts:

cocksstrideintheevening · 02/09/2023 13:42

This is bizarre. Loads of men in my office wear pink shirts, I wear pink, I've got a pink office dress. Nothing unprofessional about it all.

Hufflepods · 02/09/2023 13:39

pinkorno · 02/09/2023 13:01

That’s a great contribution, thank you very much.

Show quote history

True though. Why would you make change for this post?

TizerorFizz · 02/09/2023 13:38

@sparepantsandtoothbrush Was it a man who told her off? See through is usually more of an issue than a colour. Depends on job though.

Anotherchristianmama · 02/09/2023 13:37

Misogyny in action

HardcoreLadyType · 02/09/2023 13:12

Lots of things associated with women are seen as “lesser”. Traditional women’s crafts (note, they are craft, not art) and traditional women’s jobs (why are cleaning and childcare deemed of less value than bricklaying?) amongst others.

If a yellow or green chiffon shirt of the same kind would be acceptable, then I think that, yes, your workplace is associating women’s things with a lack of professionalism.

And stop procrastinating and get on with your essay, FFS!

cushioncovers · 02/09/2023 13:09

So my point was perhaps some people link it to being girly and child like. 🤷🏻‍♀️ but as I said I love the colour pink.

GrandHighPoohbah · 02/09/2023 13:08

I have never heard of a workplace taking exception to a particular colour before. I can see why certain garments or styles might be inappropriate, but not a colour. Loads of men wear pink ties or shirts as well.

cushioncovers · 02/09/2023 13:07

I have a lot of pink in my house. Some visitors have suggested it's slightly childish to have pink in the house as it reminds them of being a young girl. Personally I love it it goes well with most colours.

Alycidon · 02/09/2023 13:07

My first meeting with one of the senior managers in my department, she was wearing pink - something designer - and I was bowled over by her overall professional appearance and manner. That part of her outfit was pink only registered when I read your OP.

gillygeey · 02/09/2023 13:05

sounds a bit sexist, do any of the men wear pink shirts?

cushioncovers · 02/09/2023 13:05

Legomania · 02/09/2023 13:04

Are you a funeral director?

🤣

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 02/09/2023 13:05

TizerorFizz · 02/09/2023 12:57

No it’s not unprofessional. Chiffon might be more of an issue. Is there a written dress code? If not, I don’t agree that pink should even have been mentioned. Maybe try a pink bra under a black chiffon top next time. Joke!

Again is that just because men don't wear chiffon as a rule?

Legomania · 02/09/2023 13:04

Are you a funeral director?

Original poster

pinkorno · 02/09/2023 13:01

Hufflepods · 02/09/2023 12:56

I find it hard to believe a workplace has actually “told you off” for wearing pink and called it unprofessional.

That’s a great contribution, thank you very much.

OP posts:

Ducksinthebath · 02/09/2023 13:00

Depends on your job doesn’t it? Head to toe pink in my job wouldn’t even attract attention, in DH’s job where sober corporate style is not just the norm, it’s a requirement, you’d be sent to find a different outfit.

LovePoppy · 02/09/2023 12:57

Shouldn’t matter.

TizerorFizz · 02/09/2023 12:57

KimberleyClark · 02/09/2023 12:56

The female CEO at my last job wore pink occasionally. Don’t think anyone would question her competence!

Hufflepods · 02/09/2023 12:56

I find it hard to believe a workplace has actually “told you off” for wearing pink and called it unprofessional.

Stripeypyjamas · 02/09/2023 12:54

It's associated with femininity and women who are stereotyped to embody feminist traits that are typically stereotyped as warm but not competent. So pink is therefore seen to equate to lower competence. But this only applies to women wearing pink of course because men (at least white men) are more likely to be seen as competent and warm regardless of what they wear.

So women get told to wear more 'professional' colours but what this really means is try to trick people you are not feminine and more masculine so we can then berate you for beint a hard nosed bossy cow instead. You can't win.

Original poster

pinkorno · 02/09/2023 12:54

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 02/09/2023 12:50

Does that matter though? Would a green/blue/purple suit be questioned? I'm asking a genuine question not being snippey

Is it the brightness that's an issue? 🤔

Show quote history

I suppose that’s what I was wondering too. Is it the link to femininity that specifically makes pink unfavourable? (Like you, that’s not meant in a snipey way, just a general question I was mulling over!)

OP posts:

Unflip

1 2