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How to Style Pastels Properly: A Technical, Brand-Led Guide to Wearing Pastel Clothing Well (UK & USA)

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Pastels have become a modern wardrobe staple—no longer confined to spring weddings or Easter weekends. These soft, chalky tones are now worn year-round and across all categories, from tailoring to knitwear. But wearing pastels well requires technical understanding of colour pairing, balance, fabric weight, and fit.

In this detailed 1,000-word guide, we’ll break down how to wear pastel clothing confidently in the UK and USA. You’ll discover the best high street and designer brands for pastel pieces, styling do’s and don’ts, and—most importantly—how to find pastel clothing that fits you perfectly using Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading body-measurement sizing tool for over 1,500 brands.

🎨 What Are Pastels—And Why They Matter

Pastels are colours with high lightness and low saturation. Think: powder blue, lavender, soft mint, lemon sorbet, and blush pink. Technically, these are tints—pure hues diluted with white. They convey freshness, approachability, and ease, making them perfect for relaxed tailoring, knitwear, loungewear, or warm-weather occasion dressing.

But they can easily veer into “too sweet” or wash people out when poorly styled. That’s why balance, fit, and pairing matter.

🧠 Technical Styling Tips: How to Wear Pastels Well

1. Match Undertones to Your Skin Tone

  • Cool undertones: Opt for lavender, icy pink, mint, or powder blue.

  • Warm undertones: Choose peach, lemon, apricot, or buttercream.

  • Neutral undertones: You can wear most pastels, but balance with cream or tan tones.

📌 Use natural daylight when trying on pastels. Fluorescent lighting can distort how colours reflect on your skin.

2. Mix with Neutrals for Balance

Ground pastels with:

  • White or ivory (clean finish)

  • Beige or camel (warmth)

  • Charcoal or navy (contrast and edge)

Avoid pairing pastels with stark black—it often appears too harsh and flattens the softness.

3. Go Monochrome with Texture Variation

Wearing one pastel shade head-to-toe? Vary the fabrics. Try:

  • Satin + chunky knit

  • Wool coat + soft jersey dress

  • Cotton poplin + silk camisole

This adds depth and keeps the outfit from feeling flat.

4. Use Accessories for a Pastel Pop

New to pastels? Start with a powder blue bag, lemon heels, or a pale pink scarf. Gradually introduce pastel garments once you find which tones enhance your complexion.

👚 Best Pastel Categories to Invest In

  • Coats: Dusty pink or powder blue tailored coats add modernity to winter wear.

  • Trousers: Mint or lemon wide-leg trousers paired with white or oatmeal knits.

  • Blazers: Lilac or sky-blue single breasted blazers for smart-casual elevation.

  • Knitwear: Peach and ice blue cardigans look sophisticated when worn fitted.

  • Dresses: Baby blue or pale mint midi dresses flatter many skin tones.

🛍️ Best High Street Brands for Pastel Clothing (UK & USA)

1. COS

  • Pastel outerwear in powder blue and cream

  • Boxy tailoring and clean silhouettes

  • Great for tonal layering

2. & Other Stories

  • Soft pink suits and romantic lilac blouses

  • Feminine detailing with edge

3. H&M

  • Trend-led pastels in basic tees, knitwear, and sets

  • Affordable entry point for experimenting

4. Mango

  • Lemon wide-leg trousers and pale green trench coats

  • Excellent for soft tailoring

5. Zara

  • Pastel co-ords, silky separates, and utility looks with a pastel twist

💎 Best Designer Brands for Pastels

1. Max Mara Studio

  • Iconic wrap coats in blush, cream, and powdery hues

  • Known for luxury layering pieces

2. Rejina Pyo

  • Artistic colour use—pistachio, butter yellow, clay pink

  • Statement dresses and elegant tailoring

3. Roksanda

  • High-impact pastels in sculptural dresses

  • Often pairs pastel with bold accents

4. Victoria Beckham

  • Tailored pastel suiting and clean shirting

  • Balanced by neutral palettes

5. Tibi

  • Known for tonal pastel co-ords and premium minimalism

📏 Why Fit is Crucial for Pastels

Because pastel shades are soft and light-reflective, poorly fitting pieces are more noticeable. A pastel blazer that pulls at the button or trousers that sit too low on the waist will show imperfections more clearly than darker shades.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk steps in—helping you wear pastels beautifully by ensuring your pieces actually fit.

🔍 What is Tellar.co.uk?

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading sizing tool, built to match your body measurements to real-time brand sizes—across 1,500+ brands including COS, Reiss, Arket, Mango, and moreInstruction on Posts

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How Tellar.co.uk WorksInstruction on Posts

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  1. Measure once – Enter your bust, waist, and hip OR select your known size in your favourite brand.

  2. Use the Store Size Lookup Tool – Instantly find your exact size in every brand, including high street and luxury.

  3. Shop with confidence – No more guesswork, fewer returns, and better-fitting purchases.

  4. Always Free – No downloads needed, works in-browser, and completely independent.

✅ Get Started:

🧵 Explore Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub

Thousands of expert-led, stylist-written posts tailored to real body shapes and personal style. Pastel styling advice is just one of many topics you’ll find.

Tellar Must-Reads:

📲 Follow Tellar for Pastel Styling & Daily Fit Tips

🧁 Final Thought: Pastels Done Right

Pastels aren’t just for spring—they’re seasonless, versatile, and incredibly flattering when styled correctly. Whether you’re building a monochrome lemon-toned look or simply adding a blush blazer to a neutral outfit, it all comes down to fit, texture, and tone.

Let Tellar.co.uk help you perfect the process.

Find your fit in 1,500+ brands in real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start now: www.tellar.co.uk Instruction on Posts

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