The poem sketches a boy who lives in soft, glamorous details: red lipstick, dresses with pink pastel patterns, the scent of expensive perfume. The speaker describes him calmly and almost lovingly, listing these things as simple facts about who he is. There's no judgment in the tone, only quiet admiration.
The last line changes everything. He dances to old-time swing "when no one is around," and that small phrase suggests he doesn't feel safe showing this side of himself in public. Judging by the wording, the joy is real, but it's private. That gives the poem a gentle, slightly bittersweet mood. It's tender and colorful on the surface, with a hint of loneliness underneath. The speaker seems to see him clearly and to wish he could be this free everywhere, not just when he's alone. The word "pastel" in the title fits the mood: soft, delicate, and easy to overlook.