BLUSH HOUR

Blush Hour Want to work pastels into your wardrobe? Here are four chic ways to make a soft yet powerful style statement. BY JULIA MCEWEN

PETAL PUSHER Accentuate the prettiness of this pleated pastel skirt by topping it with a blossom- embellished tee. For an edgy take, choose a floral with a black backdrop. Cross-body bag, $85, gapcanada.ca. Bracelet, $10, hm.com/ca. T-shirt, $16, joefresh.com. Jacket, $198, fidelity denim.com. Sneakers, $60, aldoshoes.com. MIX MASTER Leopard-print scarf, $14, joefresh.com. Earrings, $55, bananarepublic.ca. Hat, $20, hm.com/ca. Shellys London oxfords, $130, littleburgundyshoes.com.

THE TREND 424 Fifth pleated skirt, $129,

Strike a bold note by cleverly mixing stripes with leopard print. We know it sounds strange, but they work beautifully together. Temper the duo with the soft pink skirt and a charming chapeau. Striped top, $50, lechateau.com. thebay.com. WORK IT Start with a button-down and a neutral overcoat. Then, pack on personality by swapping your usual black pants for this pastel skirt. Earrings, $15, lechateau.com. Anne Klein coat, $179, thebay.com. Handbag, $355, tedbaker.com. Shirt, $124, banana republic.ca. Booties, $169, lechateau.com.

PRETTY POLISHED Balance the girlishness and colour of the skirt with a casual top such as a basic grey tee. Layer with a lightweight trench and floral pumps to give the ensemble harmony. Jones New York trench coat, $249, thebay.com. T-shirt, $27, gapcanada.ca. Sunglasses, $12, aldoshoes.com. Pumps, $120, ninewest.ca.

“The coolest—and, therefore, chicest—way to wear shades of pink is to pair them with black or grey basics. Try a grey tee, a black moto jacket or distressed jeans to give an edge to the dainty hue.”