# Pastel (color)

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Family of pale colors

This article is about the color family. For the art medium, see [Pastel](/source/Pastel).

Pastel Pastel sticks in a variety of colors Common connotations Soothing

**Pastels** or **pastel colors** belong to a [pale](/source/Tint%2C_shade_and_tone) family of colors, which, when described in the [HSV color space](/source/HSL_and_HSV), have high [value](/source/Lightness) and low or medium [saturation](/source/Colorfulness).[1][2] They are named after [the artistic medium](/source/Pastel) made from pigment and solid binding agents, similar to [crayons](/source/Crayon). 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](/source/Pink), [mauve](/source/Mauve),[6] and [baby blue](/source/Baby_blue)[7] are commonly used pastel colors, as are [mint green](/source/Spring_green#Magic_mint), [peach](/source/Peach_(color)), [periwinkle](/source/Periwinkle_(color)), [lilac](/source/Lilac_(color)), and [lavender](/source/Lavender_(color)). There are no official listing of colors' hex codes, but there are still [websites](https://web.archive.org/web/20081004182626/http://colors.bravo9.com:80/nbs-iscc-p-plochere-color-system/list/all/) with given color names and hex codes that can be used to find pastel colors. There are also [color charts](/source/Color_chart) that can be used to physically identify pastel colors.

## Pastels in popular culture

Trends involving pastel colors have maintained cultural relevance in both fashion and interior design. The [art deco](/source/Art_Deco_in_the_United_States) period of the 1920s and 30s involved pastels greatly in their designs. After this, the 1940s and 50s involved pastels in their interior design, known now as "retro" design, with an association of elegance. Pastels had another rise in popularity around the 1980s specifically in men's fashion. Suits that were pastel in their color started to become very popular around this time, often 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

Examples of pastels in HEX-code fea3aa f8b88b faf884 baed91 b2cefe f2a2e8

## Gallery

		- Gaiety pastels

		- Pastel-colored [beads](/source/Bead)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Gilbert, Beverly Ash (2009). [*Beaded Colorways: Freeform Beadweaving Projects and Palettes*](https://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9781600613180). Cincinnati, OH: North Light Books. p. 13. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781600613180](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781600613180). Retrieved July 27, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Whitaker, Jerry C. (1996). ["Principles of Light, Vision, and Photometry"](https://books.google.com/books?id=DSHSqWQXm3oC&pg=PA85). In Whitaker, Jerry C. (ed.). *The Electronics Handbook*. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press. p. 85. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780849383458](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780849383458). Retrieved July 27, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Clark, Sally (2003). House Beautiful Magazine (ed.). [*House Beautiful Color: Bright Ideas for Every Room*](https://books.google.com/books?id=G1X14oqxClQC&pg=PA27). New York: Sterling Publishing Company. p. 27. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781588162519](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781588162519). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [61439232](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/61439232). Retrieved July 22, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Most Grown-Up Pastel Color Palettes Designers Love For Rooms You Want to Relax in"](https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&u=s8405248&id=GALE%7CA795413203&v=2.1&it=r). May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_5-2) Sahoo, Shristi (October 25, 2023). ["The Timeless Charm and Psychological Impact of Pastel Colours"](https://www.rockandart.org/pastel-power-appeal-color-palettes/). Retrieved May 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** McCarthy, Michael; Felicity O'Dell (2002). [*English Vocabulary in Use (Advanced)*](https://books.google.com/books?id=O1o6IklIZ5cC&pg=PA154). Cambridge, UK: [Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press). p. 154. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780521653978](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780521653978). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [49550686](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/49550686). Retrieved July 27, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Weber, Jeanette (1990). [*Clothing: Fashion, Fabrics, Construction*](https://books.google.com/books?id=nHXWE1HVdTIC&q=baby+blue+is+pastel+color). [McGraw-Hill](/source/McGraw-Hill) Education. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780026401616](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780026401616).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_8-2) Wax, Amy (January 14, 2022). ["Pastel Colors: A History of Elegance!"](https://amywax.com/pastel-colors-a-history-of-elegance/). Retrieved May 17, 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pastel (color)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastel_(color)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastel_(color)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.