Candy striper

What were once emasculating are now the official colors of boy power. Washes of pink, baby blue, yellow and cream litter the fashion palette this season. Why the sudden change?

Well, first of all, a guy in pastel is far more fetching than a dude swathed in jewel tones (there are limits) and is more unique than those garbed in the usual khakis. Pastels are now the way to go, whether at work or play.

Here’s how to go sweet sans the tooothache:

1) Pair your pastels with a cool neutral. Black and pale yellow may look ill at ease with one another, unless you have the balls to pull it off without loooking like a banana. Grays, powder colors and creams are good base colors.

2) Use no more than two base colors or you might just look like a rotten egg from Easter.

3) Although you’re wearing sugary colors, don’t fashion yourself after a cake. Think smoothie or power shake. You are a man, after all!

4) Use light-colored accessories. Belts and caps in creamy tones look cool with the season’s delicious tones, although you can also use a shot of warm brown, green or orange as a variant.

5) Wear light colors with confidence. Let the colors stay pale, and let your bravado and gravitas shine bright.