Blue has long been associated with boys and pink with girls, particularly in Western cultures. However, that wasn’t always the case. In fact, the gendered association of the colors blue and pink is a relatively modern phenomenon that arose in the 20th century. Prior to that, there were different color associations for babies and young children. Let’s take a look at the history of blue as a gendered color and how pink and blue came to be linked to girls and boys.
Color associations prior to 20th century
For much of human history, color choices for babies and children were more about practicality than gender. Here are some of the early color associations:
– White – Babies and young children were often dressed in white, regardless of gender. White cotton can easily be bleached clean, an important consideration before washing machines.
– Red – Red dye was often expensive, so it was reserved for elite children rather than commoners. Both boys and girls among royalty and the upper classes wore red.
– Blue – Blue dyes were cheaper than red, so they were more accessible. Blue was not strongly associated with a particular gender.
– Pink – Pink dyes were also cheap and readily available. Like blue, pink was used for both boys and girls.
– Pastels – Soft shades like pink and blue were considered appropriate for babies and toddlers. But again, pastels were used for both genders.
– Colorful prints – For older children who had outgrown the toddler years, colorful florals and plaids were popular for girls. Tartan or military looks were for boys. But babies were mostly in white.
So while parents today might insist that “blue is for boys and pink is for girls,” that gender divide is relatively new.
How pink and blue became girly and boyish
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, several factors led to a shift towards definitive color assignments.
Department stores
As large department stores emerged at the turn of the century, they relied heavily on marketing and advertising to push products. Gendered marketing took off across all types of consumer goods. Clothing was a prime target. Department stores started dressing baby boys in pink and baby girls in blue, not the other way around. They promoted these gender color divisions in mail order catalogs as well.
World War I
World War I likely contributed to more masculine blue colors and feminine pink colors. With the men away fighting the war, consumer goods increasingly focused on women, which led to a rise in pastels, florals and other feminine motifs. After WWI, pink was viewed as more appropriate for girls with blue for boys.
Technological advancements
The Industrial Revolution brought about mass production textile manufacturing, which made clothing more affordable. This allowed for more color options and new dyes. It also paved the way for gender-focused marketing. Clothing could be mass produced in blue for boys and pink for girls.
Strict gender roles
The early 20th century saw a push towards rigid gender roles and norms. Men were the breadwinners out in the workforce, while women stayed home as housewives. Distinguishing girls and boys through gendered colors aligned with strict societal roles divided along gender lines. Parents favored pink for their baby girls and blue for their baby boys.
Celebrity Influence
Celebrities helped popularize pink for girls in the 1950s and 1960s. Iconic figures like Mamie Eisenhower, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy were often photographed wearing pink dresses. The femininity and glamor of pink fashion was forever cemented through its association with these high-profile, feminine stars.
While pink had become a definitively girly color by the mid-20th century, the association wasn’t set in stone. The unisex look of the 1960s and 1970s brought in brighter, bolder colors for both genders. But the gendered color divide had largely taken hold. Today, pink remains strongly feminine while blue is a masculine color.
When did pink become a girl color?
Late 1800s – Department stores begin gendered marketing of pink for girls and blue for boys.
Early 1900s – Continued marketing, technological advances and social factors reinforce the pink and blue binary.
Mid 1900s – The post-war emphasis on traditional gender roles cements pink as a girl color.
1950s/60s – Fame of pink-wearing celebrities like Marilyn Monroe associates the color with feminine glamour.
So while exact timing is hard to pinpoint, the late 1800s to 1950s was the critical period for establishing pink as a girl color and blue as a boy color. By the 1960s, pink was a quintessentially feminine hue.
Has pink always been for girls?
No, pink has not always been categorized exclusively as a girl color. Here’s an overview of how the color evolved in terms of gender associations:
– Ancient history – No gender divide. Colors were used based on availability of dyes.
– Middle Ages – Pink used for boys and girls among nobility who could afford the expensive dye.
– Renaissance – WEalthy boys and girls both wore pink. It was not gender-specific.
– 18th century – Pink was worn by elite men and women alike, including males in the British army.
– Late 1800s – Department store marketing pushed pink on girls and blue on boys.
– Early 1900s – Pink was firmly established as a girl color due to marketing, cultural trends and technology.
– Today – Pink is culturally perceived as a feminine, “girly” color. Blue is for boys.
While pink did eventually become a designated girl color, that was not always the historical association. Only in the last 100-150 years or so has pink been classified solely as a feminine hue due to recent cultural and social forces.
When did blue become a boy color?
Similar to pink, blue was not strictly a masculine hue for much of human civilization. The progression to blue as a boy color took place over the 19th and early 20th centuries.
– Ancient history – Blue dyes were inexpensive and used for both genders.
– Middle Ages – Blue was worn by girls and boys among poorer populations that could not afford expensive red dyes.
– Renaissance – Blue was not associated with a particular gender.
– 18th century – Blue was seen as delicate and dainty, so it was used for girls. Boys wore pink or red.
– Late 1800s – Department stores switched from blue on girls to blue on boys as part of gendered marketing.
– Early 1900s – Blue became ingrained as a boy color due to cultural trends and mass advertising.
– Today – Blue is culturally classified as a masculine, “boyish” color. Pink is for girls.
From the 1890s to 1950s was the key transition from blue as gender neutral or feminine to blue as the designated masculine color.
When did gendered colors arise?
While color associations shifted at different points in history, here are some key dates for the solidification of pink and blue into feminine and masculine hues:
– 1890s – Department stores use gendered color marketing for baby clothes.
– 1910s – World War I’s influence on fashion helps cement pink as feminine.
– 1940s-1950s – Strong post-war gender divide finalizes pink and blue gender roles.
– 1960s – Iconic celebrities like Marilyn Monroe popularize pink as the feminine ideal.
So the late 1800s through the 1950s were the key period where pink and blue took on the gender associations recognized today. The gendered color divide became entrenched in culture and language, making blue masculine and pink feminine.
Is blue still for boys and pink for girls?
The traditional gender divide between blue and pink remains strong today. Here’s an overview:
– Clothing and toys – Most clothing and toys marketed specifically for boys are blue while girls’ items are pink.
– Kids’ media – Characters for boys tend to wear blue while girl characters wear pink dresses and bows. Just think of the PowerPuff Girls wearing pink.
– Baby items – From blankets to cribs to onesies, blue is for boys and pink is for girls.
– Party supplies – Blue decorations for boys’ parties. Pink decorations for girls’ parties.
– Sporting goods – Women’s sporting gear is often pink versions of men’s blue equipment.
– Gender norms – Blue is classified as a “boyish” color while pink is perceived as dainty and feminine.
So despite some small shifts, the pink and blue gender divide remains prominent in most areas of culture and society. The colors serve as instant visual shorthand for masculine and feminine.
Are gender colors universal?
While pink and blue have very strong gender connotations in the West, those same color associations are not necessarily universal across all cultures.
– Asia – Red is considered lucky and positive in China and other Asian nations. It’s used for girls and boys alike.
– South America – Light yellow or green is often used for baby girls instead of pink.
– Eastern Europe – Blue may be reserved for girls as a dainty color, not boys.
– Africa – Bright colors like orange and yellow are unisex baby colors. Darker shades like blue or pink are avoided.
– Middle East – Blue is a protective color in countries like Iran, used for boys and girls.
So the pink and blue divide common in Western countries is not necessarily universal. Color associations for gender vary widely across cultures.
What colors besides pink and blue are gendered?
While pink and blue are the most stereotypical gender colors, they are not the only hues with masculine or feminine associations.
Girly colors
– Pink
– Purple
– Lavender
– Magenta
– Peach
– Soft yellow
Boyish colors
– Blue
– Green
– Black
– Gray
– Dark red
– Orange
In addition to pink and blue, purple and green are common gendered colors for girls and boys. Pastels and neons are seen as feminine, while dark shades are masculine. But these gender roles depend on context and culture. A bright green dress could certainly be for a girl.
Are gendered colors limiting?
While pink and blue are ingrained in culture, some argue that the gender divide is outdated and potentially limiting:
– Rigid gender roles – Strong color associations reinforce strict separation of masculine and feminine.
– Assumptions – A girl who prefers blue may be labeled a tomboy. A boy who likes pink can experience bullying or presumption of homosexuality.
– Creativity – Children’s clothing and toys come overwhelmingly in gendered colors. This stifles creative expression.
– Exclusion – For children who are gender-nonconforming, prescribed “girl” and “boy” colors marginalize their identities.
– Change – As we move to more fluid understandings of gender, the blue/pink binary seems restrictive and old-fashioned.
There is increasing pushback against limiting children’s options according to dated and arbitrary color divisions. While gendered colors are still prominent, many parents are embracing less prescriptive approaches.
Are gendered color trends changing?
Gendered color patterns are well-entrenched culturally. But there are some signs of shifting perspectives:
– Rainbow – Vibrant rainbow patterns on children’s items and toys promote inclusion and fluidity.
– Neutral palettes – More babies are dressed in gender-neutral yellow, mint, gray and white hues.
– Broader options – Clothing and toy manufacturers offer more overlap between “boy” and “girl” colors and designs.
– Celebrity influence – Public figures allow boys to wear pink and girls to wear blue to award shows and events.
– Social change – As definitions of gender broaden, parents are consciously resisting color-coded norms.
Gendered color conventions will likely take time to evolve at a mass level. But many parents today actively avoid boxing children into the pink or blue binary if those colors don’t align with the child’s identity and preferences.
Conclusion
While pink and blue seem eternally linked to girls and boys respectively, the gender divide has a relatively short history. It arose in the last 150 years due to marketing, cultural trends and evolving gender norms. The associations are not set in stone. Just as blue was once a feminine hue, pink does not have to be an exclusively “girly” color. As ideas about gender continue to shift and progress, the colors we put on our children will hopefully become less limited.