You've got to love them for trying but Scottish men don't tend to pull off wearing pastels very well.
Maybe it has something to do with their peely wally complexions or, more likely, their lack of sartorial self-confidence but it seems most blokes shy away from dressing in powder blue, lemon, mint green and pale pink. No more, I say.
These hues are not limited to the nursery or your girlfriend/wife's spring/summer wardrobe: you too can indulge in your softer side. Well, textile-speaking anyway.
The new season collections are awash with pastel-coloured garments, all flooding into our high street shops. While we may still be in the depths of winter, there is a way to work these colours with aplomb.
I know this because one of my male colleagues wears pastels all year round and always looks stylish. From observing him, I have learnt that to look good in pastels, you should follow certain rules for the correct wearing of pastels:
1. Remember that grey is your friend and looks great when worn with pastel tones. Hide a round-necked T-shirt under a grey V-neck sweater, perhaps. Or, pair pastel-coloured shirts with your dark-grey work suit. Formal or casual, there is a way to work it without looking like you are from the Florida Keys.
2. Go slowly and start by introducing a pastel tie to your wardrobe before moving on to a fine knit in a pastel hue (And please do buy a good-quality knit; it will make all the difference).
3. Do not wear pastel shirts with white collars and cuffs. You will look like an extra from The Wolf On Wall Street.
4. Do not wear pastels with black because this will kill the look. Black is too harsh; the contrast way too great. Think soft tones, such as taupe, tan, white and grey, which are better options
5. Pastels work well when worn with denim. Dismiss the notion that wearing pastels will have you tagged as a metrosexual. This is an outdated idea. You will look cool, trust me.
For, you see, modern men should wear what they like and not shy away from colours that have been traditionally been considered feminine.
I see a lot of Scottish men wearing pastel clothing on holiday, only to put it to the back of their wardrobe when on home soil. Why? It is time to re-consider this.
Men of Scotland, break out your pastels and wear them with pride.
At the very least you will feel much more spring-like. And, trust me, pastel is very attractive.
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