Pastel (color)

Pastel
	Pastel sticks in a variety of colors
Common connotations
	Soothing

Pastels or pastel colors belong to a pale family of colors, which, when described in the HSV color space, have high value and low or medium saturation.^[1]^[2] They are named after the artistic medium made from pigment and solid binding agents, similar to crayons. Pastel sticks historically had lower saturation than paints of the same pigment, hence the name of this color family.

The colors of this family are usually described as soothing,^[3] calming,^[4] and nostalgic.^[5] They tend to lean towards ideas of simplicity and help to contrast against the bolder and brighter colors that trend in our world. They are integrated into interior design in many places, such as healthcare to help soothe anxiety, or in classrooms to help the mind focus. Pastel colors work to oppose the brighter, bolder colors that tend to be common in many other places. ^[5]

Pink, mauve,^[6] and baby blue^[7] are commonly used pastel colors, as are mint green, peach, periwinkle, lilac, and lavender.There are no official listing of colors' hex codes, but there are still websites with given color names and hex codes that can be used to find pastel colors. There are also color charts that can be used to physically identify pastel colors.

Pastels in Pop Culture

Trends involving pastel colors have maintained cultural relevance in both fashion and interior design.The art deco period of the 1920's and 30's involved pastels greatly in their designs. After this, the 1940's and 50's involved pastels in their interior design, known now as "retro" design, with an association of elegance. Pastels had another rise in popularity around the 1980's specifically in men's fashion. Suits that were pastel in their color started to become very popular around this time, associated feelings of confidence and coolness. In modern day, pastels are still integrated into interior design, and the idea of pastel colors in fashion has only broadened its scope to being used in a variety of settings. ^[8]

Pastel colors are valued in fashion because of their ability to match with a variety of other color types. They can be combined with blacks and whites to help contrast the colors more, mixed with other pastels to help bring out a monochromatic look. They are also complimentary to many skin tones, making them accessible to all.^[5]^[8]

While associated feelings have changed within given time periods and their trends, the root of pastels' association is still with relaxation, harmony, and gentleness. They are meant to be used in a variety of scenarios and remain pleasing to the eye and mind. ^[8]

Examples



fea3aa	f8b88b	faf884
baed91	b2cefe	f2a2e8

Gallery

Gaiety pastels
Pastel-colored beads

References

^ Gilbert, Beverly Ash (2009). Beaded Colorways: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes. Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books. p. 13. ISBN 9781600613180. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
^ Whitaker, Jerry C. (1996). "Principles of Light, Vision, and Photometry". In Whitaker, Jerry C. (ed.). The Electronics Handbook. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press. p. 85. ISBN 9780849383458. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
^ Clark, Sally (2003). House Beautiful Magazine (ed.). House Beautiful Color: Bright Ideas for Every Room. New York: Sterling Publishing Company. p. 27. ISBN 9781588162519. OCLC 61439232. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
^ "The Most Grown-Up Pastel Color Palettes Designers Love For Rooms You Want to Relax in". May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c Sahoo, Shristi (October 25, 2023). "The Timeless Charm and Psychological Impact of Pastel Colours". Retrieved May 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ McCarthy, Michael; Felicity O'Dell (2002). English Vocabulary in Use (Advanced). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9780521653978. OCLC 49550686. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
^ Weber, Jeanette (1990). Clothing: Fashion, Fabrics, Construction. McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 9780026401616.
^ ^a ^b ^c Wax, Amy. "Pastel Colors: A History of Elegance!". Retrieved May 17, 2025.

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[1] Gilbert, Beverly Ash (2009). Beaded Colorways: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes. Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books. p. 13. ISBN 9781600613180. Retrieved July 27, 2013.

[2] Whitaker, Jerry C. (1996). "Principles of Light, Vision, and Photometry". In Whitaker, Jerry C. (ed.). The Electronics Handbook. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press. p. 85. ISBN 9780849383458. Retrieved July 27, 2013.

[3] Clark, Sally (2003). House Beautiful Magazine (ed.). House Beautiful Color: Bright Ideas for Every Room. New York: Sterling Publishing Company. p. 27. ISBN 9781588162519. OCLC 61439232. Retrieved July 22, 2013.

[4] "The Most Grown-Up Pastel Color Palettes Designers Love For Rooms You Want to Relax in". May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[:0-5] Sahoo, Shristi (October 25, 2023). "The Timeless Charm and Psychological Impact of Pastel Colours". Retrieved May 17, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[6] McCarthy, Michael; Felicity O'Dell (2002). English Vocabulary in Use (Advanced). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9780521653978. OCLC 49550686. Retrieved July 27, 2013.

[7] Weber, Jeanette (1990). Clothing: Fashion, Fabrics, Construction. McGraw-Hill Education. ISBN 9780026401616.

[:1-8] Wax, Amy. "Pastel Colors: A History of Elegance!". Retrieved May 17, 2025.

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