Why I no longer pale at pastels

Bring on the lilac: Alyson Walsh has decided to embrace muted tones this spring

David Hockney is looking forward to a spectacular spring, and so am I. While 2020 encouraged us to pay attention to nature and the changing seasons, I can’t wait for the museums and galleries to re-open so that I can spend some more time indoors. My mind will wander through the Normandy landscape, my eyes will travel through French orchards to pause on blossoming fruit trees. Considering the artist’s wonderful iPad pictures at the Royal Academy (set to re-open on May 18), I will enjoy all the different shades nature has to offer, and learn from his appreciation of colour. Because, readers, there lurks within me a palette prejudice: I am not a fan of paler pinks and pastel shades.

Countless times in the past, I’ve written off these muted pigments as wishy-washy and drab; a favourite of mothers-of-the-bride and Mrs Slocombe from Are You Being Served?. Definitely not for me. And yet, trying on this pussy-bow blouse has made me realise that lilac tones don’t have to look old-fashioned. Pastels can be fabulous as opposed to fuddy-duddy.

There are many printed tops around this spring. As always, my advice for easing a new item into your wardrobe is to introduce it to an old friend. Feminine printed blouse say hello to favourite khaki-green combats – and now we’re in business. Whether ushering in a different silhouette or shade, it’s all about an interesting juxtaposition. I’d also team a floral blouse with a pair of track pants and loafers. Wear a pair of faded, old jeans with a nice top and clogs. Increasing wardrobe potential while staying just within your comfort zone is the way to maximise style confidence. Lilac pussy-bow blouse? Yeah, I can do that.

My fear of the pale end of the colour spectrum stems from having had a grey streak of hair at my front parting from around the age of 30. As someone who doesn’t wear a lot of make-up on a daily basis, I was convinced that these lighter shades would make me look like I’d just seen a ghost. But a few more grey hairs down the line and this colour contrast is a resounding success. Nature knows best and the palest blossom shades look lovely when com

bined with a strong leaf green. Now I’ve opened my eyes, I’m appreciating the possibilities of a wider colour palette.

Hockney has said that when he moved back to England after living in LA, he noticed the seasons for the first time in 20 years: “I thought it was really exciting; I’d lived in a place where they didn’t have much spring.” Perhaps ignoring these gentle, ice-cream tones for most of my life has limited my wardrobe options. Time to heed my own style advice and be open to new ideas. Why rule things out when you can ring them in?

Read more from Alyson at thatsnotmyage.com

ALYSON WEARS Esme tie neck shirt, £250, Phoebe Grace. Cargo pants and jewellery are Alyson’s own.