The Pink Dress Challenge

I have one pink article of clothing, and that is it. I purchased it about three years ago, and it has never been worn.

A shot of my closet. Note the one pink dress

It's not that I don't like pink; pink is a fine color, I guess. It's just that wearing pink, to me, means many more things than just enjoying the color. Pink's supreme association with femininity makes me uncomfortable. During the few times I tried to wear pink, it made me feel vulnerable, like a "dumb girl." I felt like everyone was looking at me, and taking me far less seriously. I felt like "fair game" for all the guys. I did not feel in control, and I definitely did not feel sexy.

When I see other women in pink, I usually admire their ability to rock the color with confidence. I actually wonder what it would be like to be one of those pink-wearing, planner-obsessed girls. So, I did an experiment.

I challenged myself to ONE NIGHT OUT in my one and only pink dress, just to see how it would feel.

Before stepping out on the town in PINK

Getting ready proved a bit more difficult than usual. I tried to add edgier accessories to the dress in order to harden the softer look, but nothing black and spiky looks good with pink unless you're aiming for punk. I am not aiming for punk.

I eventually settled on the ensemble you see above, and left to meet up with my friends. I was nervous walking in the door, as I knew people would react to me wearing pink. Sure enough, everyone freaked out; they couldn't believe they were seeing me in hot, HOT pink!

As the night continued, I relaxed a little bit in my new color. I convinced myself to own it like it was a pair of combat boots. By the time I returned home, I was feeling confident, and feminine, a combination I haven't experienced too much before.

All in all, pink isn't so bad. But, it's not for me. I'm glad I gave it a shot, but why not stick to what I love? Not wearing pink is part of who I am. And I'm not changin' for anyone : )