Psychology of Colour: Styling with Purple

Violet, lilac, lavender... the fact that so many shades of purple are named after flowers is a tribute to their delicacy and elegance – even mauve is named after the mallow flower! With purple’s floral connotations, it’s no wonder many of us instinctively categorise it as a ‘girly’ colour to be used in sweet, traditionally feminine – and often slightly old-fashioned – styling. However, whilst purple can be both delicate and whimsical, when incorporated into bold looks, it can symbolise modern sophistication, or even express the wearer’s inner punk.

Styling Purple: Temperature

A combination of blue and red, purple has both warm and cool properties. In this sense, purple isn’t too dissimilar to pink, especially if you consider that both colours are a derivation of red combined with another colour, and that they are both often considered feminine colours in the modern world. Purples comprised of predominantly red tones – even deep shades of burgundy – can be included in warm looks: match a shirt or blouse in a rich purple tone with a pair of beige, wide-leg trousers, for example. Cooler purple tones, consisting of a greater proportion of blue pigments, unsurprisingly complement shades of blue and white. Adding white to both warm and cool hues of purple helps to create lighter colours that retain the temperature of the darker parent colour. This means that light purples, such as lavender, can be either warm or cool depending on their red-blue proportionality, though the difference is very subtle.  

When thinking about constructing a colour palette using purple, the work of artists such as Anish Kapoor, who often explores the many temperatures of purple through his work, can be a source of inspiration. His 1998 work, located in Tate Modern, shows a deep, cool indigo fading into warm, light purple tones, which then fade into a dusty, greyish pink. Taking this piece as inspiration, try experimenting with lavender and dark blue, combining an indigo blue skirt or blue jeans with a light purple blouse, sweater, or overcoat. By wearing light lavender tones on the top half of the body, this combination becomes not only elegant and feminine, but very flattering.  

Styling Purple: Lighter Looks

Purple garments in unusual textures have perhaps never been more abundant, across both designer and high street collections. Purple’s mythical connotations make it a natural choice for dramatic, ornate materials, such as silk, velvet, or sheer fabrics. Sheer lavender dresses and shirts have been getting lots of attention lately, and it’s easy to see why: the delicacy of lavender complements the airiness of sheer fabric perfectly, and lets light shine through it in a hypermodern, almost otherworldly way. Style sheer purple garments with light-coloured items, like a white or cream pair of trousers or skirt. A sheer lilac shirt worn over a white silk slip dress looks elegant yet youthful, and the addition of a pair of white mules gives this look a monochromatic, modern edge. Purple velvet, the wearable symbol of mystical 1960s psychedelia, is a statement fabric that looks as equally at home amidst a wash of millennial pastels and rose gold jewellery as it did on the stage of Woodstock! A purple velvet blazer is a striking, yet surprisingly versatile, investment piece: vibrant and classy over a blouse and jeans; sophisticated and smart over a blue evening dress. Dressed up or down, purple and velvet are a first-class combination – what better way to delight in the timeless opulence of this sumptuous colour...  

Styling Purple: Darker Looks

Purple – colour of royalty, magic, and mystery – lends itself well to bold styling. Eye-catching prints are perhaps never more artful or sophisticated as when they feature purple. Often used in floral prints – as either the main colour or for detailing – dark, violet tones add depth and definition, making these classically feminine patterns more developed and mature. Purple’s also a popular choice in more modern renditions of traditional floral prints, within the minimal prints of the millennial era. Flowers are simplified or made geometric using bold lines that are easily achieved using dark purple, making it a natural choice, particularly on lighter backgrounds of white, pale pink, or dusty, muted red. We recommend pairing a bold, purple printed shirt or blouse with a relatively plain pair of trousers or skirt in a complimentary colour, such as navy blue, beige, or burgundy, to allow patterned garments to stand out. Up-level the purple magnificence of this look by bringing a lilac or mauve blazer into the mix, for a completed outfit that is equal parts artistic and suave.  

Styling Purple: Monochrome

Monochrome styling has been a hit on the runway for many years now, with designers curating bold, daring looks that reinvent and update the trend for each generation. With multiple shades of purple gaining popularity – lavenders and violets being particularly popular amongst Millennials and Gen Zers – fashion brands are designing complementary garments that incorporate a range of textures, hues, styles, and patterns to help you create dynamic and interesting interpretations of this trend. Richly creative, with an almost punk-inspired, anti-establishment vibe, monochrome ensembles smattered in a variety of light purples create an edgy look that catches the eye, perfect for a stroll through the city or an evening with friends. Darker hues – think mulberries, plums, raisins, magentas – create a more sophisticated visage and can be differentiated by combining a range of textures to add more dimension to the outfit. A deep mulberry trench worn over a pair of leather cigarette trousers in raisin with a plum roll-neck jumper creates a vampy look that is excellent for the office. Style queens Rihanna, Julianne Moore, Hailey Bieber, and Meghan Markle have each dared to play around with monochromatic purple outfits, demonstrating how easy and versatile this look is with a range of textures and cuts. So, whether you want to look regal and resplendent or exciting and edgy, the many hues of purple, whether blended together or mixed with other colours, can accommodate you and your look.

Styling Purple – Prints

Purple – colour of royalty, magic, and mystery – lends itself well to bold styling. Eye-catching prints are perhaps never more artful or sophisticated as when they feature purple. Often used in floral prints – as either the main colour or for detailing – dark, violet tones add depth and definition, making these classically feminine patterns more developed and mature. Purple’s also a popular choice in more modern renditions of traditional floral prints, within the minimal prints of the millennial era. Flowers are simplified or made geometric using bold lines that are easily achieved using dark purple, making it a natural choice, particularly on lighter backgrounds of white, pale pink, or dusty, muted red. We recommend pairing a bold, purple printed shirt or blouse with a relatively plain pair of trousers or skirt in a complimentary colour, such as navy blue, beige, or burgundy, to allow patterned garments to stand out. Up-level the purple magnificence of this look by bringing a lilac or mauve blazer into the mix, for a completed outfit that is equal parts artistic and suave.  

Styling Purple – Texture

Purple garments in unusual textures have perhaps never been more abundant, across both designer and high street collections. Purple’s mythical connotations make it a natural choice for dramatic, ornate materials, such as silk, velvet, or sheer fabrics. Sheer lavender dresses and shirts have been getting lots of attention lately, and it’s easy to see why: the delicacy of lavender complements the airiness of sheer fabric perfectly, and lets light shine through it in a hypermodern, almost otherworldly way. Style sheer purple garments with light-coloured items, like a white or cream pair of trousers or skirt. A sheer lilac shirt worn over a white silk slip dress looks elegant yet youthful, and the addition of a pair of white mules gives this look a monochromatic, modern edge. Purple velvet, the wearable symbol of mystical 1960s psychedelia, is a statement fabric that looks as equally at home amidst a wash of millennial pastels and rose gold jewellery as it did on the stage of Woodstock! A purple velvet blazer is a striking, yet surprisingly versatile, investment piece: vibrant and classy over a blouse and jeans; sophisticated and smart over a blue evening dress. Dressed up or down, purple and velvet are a first-class combination – what better way to delight in the timeless opulence of this sumptuous colour...  

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