Reply #32: Pink = Girls; Blue = Boys wasn't always the case [View All]

[kskiska]

(snip)

One of the most common examples of color symbolism in clothing is the custom of using pink for girls and blue for boys ... but it wasn’t always this way. This tradition emerged at the turn of the 20th century. Since pink was thought to be a stronger color, it was best suited for boys; blue was more delicate and dainty and best for girls. In 1921, the Women's Institute for Domestic Science in Pennsylvania endorsed pink for boys, blue for girls.

Source:Berlin and Kay, When Blue Meant Yellow,.pp. 20 -21)

Even more interesting is the fact that pink is the color for baby boys and blue is the color for baby girls in Belgium today.

Another interesting fact about pink is that pink is a very masculine color in Bermuda. Also, British bankers and barristers have worn pink shirts for decades. Pink goes in and out of fashion in other parts of the world.

http://www.colormatters.com/kids/wear.html