sweater – L.L.Bean; cardigan – L.L.Bean; flats – Nine West
Purple is an interesting color in shops; a great deal of what’s available looks very… goth? Sort of like you’re living on the fringes of normal society? Just plain strange? It’s such a pity, because purple is a lovely color, and goes so well with all of our neutrals.(I’ve had a deep fondness for the “stitchworks” L.L.Bean cardigan for years. I’m really happy that I’ve finally found a good place to show it to you!)
earrings – Caona Designs; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Salvatore Ferragamo; flats -Nine West; tee – J.Crew; pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Givenchy; olive cardigan – H&M; bracelet – Mela Artisans; boots – Sarto; sweater – L.L.Bean
I was REALLY doubtful of how well olive was going to play here, but I think it’s lovely…
earrings – Bling Jewelry; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Travelon; flats -Nine West; tee – J.Crew; pants – J.Crew; scarf – Armani Collezioni; grey cardigan – J.Crew; bracelet – Swarovski; boots – Corso Como; sweater – L.L.Bean
If you really want a purple bag, but you don’t want to spend three fortunes, look at JCPenney, (I was surprised!) which has eight different styles, in nylon, with anti-theft features. This might be a very good way to test-drive the idea of a purple bag, before going off the deep end with an expensive leather… And they are worth checking if you’re looking for almost any non-black bag – they have red, teal, olive…
Why yes, I will get a wee commission if you buy one; it’s how I keep the lights on chez The Vivienne Files. But you and I both know that I don’t make my choices about what to show you based on that, right?
earrings – Vince Camuto; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Baggallini; flats -Nine West; tee – ATM; jeans – Closed; scarf – Chico’s; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bracelet – Charming Charlie; boots – Seychelles; sweater – L.L.Bean
I was surprised to be so happy with the results of the camel experiment. Camel isn’t a color that I handle well, but the beautiful purple just settled in happily…
earrings – Lord & Taylor; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Travelon; flats -Nine West; tee – J.Crew; pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Lily And Lionel; navy cardigan – Uniqlo; bracelet – Origins; boots – Franco Sarto; sweater – L.L.Bean
I knew that navy would be perfect with purple. Is there a color that doesn’t go well with navy? I think not…
earrings – Mela Artisans; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Valextra; flats -Nine West; sweater – J.Crew; pants – L.L.Bean; scarf – Front Row Society; brown cardigan – Iris von Arnim; bracelet – Francesca Romana; boots – Cole Haan; sweater – L.L.Bean
Brown and purple? Oooh, that sounds difficult… But the colors share a depth, and an intensity of color, that makes them surprisingly appealing together. Not for the faint of heart, perhaps, but worth a 2nd look. THIS is the bag upon which you splurge after you’ve worn out the nylon one you used for the test-drive…
scarf – Hermes Frots, Fleurs et Frontaux; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bracelet – Lagos; flats – Nine West; tee – L.L.Bean; pants – L.L.Bean; earrings – David Yurman; cardigan – L.L.Bean; bag – Studdio Hank; boots – Munro; sweater – L.L.Bean
Purple and black is a color scheme that could go wrong really quickly. When I’m unsure about the best way to handle a color combination, I go to the experts. In this case, an Hermes scarf helps a lot!
Next week, I’m going to look at brighter accent colors… Should be fun!
love,
Janice
Aubergine?
I'm a sucker for purple, even though, as you say, the choices tend to be a little goth, which I'm not.
Why do you think purple and black could go wrong? I think they look great together. And if one wants to lighten it up, go for a lighter shade of purple, no?
Oh my goodness, that kettlewell colours site! I'm going to have to play with that. Now if only they sold every article of clothing in every color…
– Kaci
Kaci, they have lots of colours but don't seem to venture into the plus sizes. Every now again I take a peak just in case… and then move on. Carol S
A lovely series Janice! And its been so interesting because it reminds me of last April's color and proportion posts. It really makes me realize that I don't like the accent color shoes combinations. For some reason it does not please my eye. I could wear the accent shoes with a printed top that combined the two colors, but there is something too matchy about the accent sweater and shoes outfits that doesn't work for me. Good to realize my own bias! I'll have to ponder more on how to incorporate accent color shoes in my wardrobe.
And on a different but related note, are you familiar with the british clothing brand – kettlewell colours? They emphasize colors with personal seasonal color matching. I've recently discovered it and I've yet to purchase anything, but a great resource for hard to find colors and color matching ideas. Would love to hear from any other readers familiar with the brand.
I always appreciate your wonderful work! K.
Purple, like teal, always screams 80's to me–but somehow you managed outfits here that seem fresh and new and casual and very wearable. But, of course, you're a genius as we all know!
I also have a problem with purple, as it never seems to look right. But a scarf would be a good starting point. I own a gorgeous purple cashmere sweater that gets very little use. Back to the drawing board. ~ Cornelia
What would be the cause for purple and black to go very wrong? I'm having a hard time imagining the combination not working.
That Stitchworks sweater is quite the temptress! It comes in such beautiful jewel-tones (sapphire, ruby, emerald, amethyst) – I was looking for basic navy but found myself wandering in "off my color plan" territory…
There definitely ARE plums that are this purple color, although I must confess that to me "plum" is more reddish and a bit lighter/brighter. My wardrobe has pieces of both versions of plum, and they play nicely with a variety of neutrals and other colors. It took me a while to want to wear jewel tones again, after living in them in the '80s, but now I am back on board. Many of those colors are so versatile and pretty. – nancyo
I am loving this series so much!
I have a purple purse from about 2 years ago that imperfect for fall.
Purple and olive green is one of my favorite combos, I feel good wearing that. I am a pale redhead with blue eyes.
You always provide us with something I would never come up with, this time purple and navy! Thanks for helping open my mind to consider new combos.
Oh dear! Thanks to autocorrect, my "perfect for fall" turned into "imperfect for fall"! ?
I'm a huge fan of Kettlewell colours and their colour palettes and blog articles – although you need to know your 'season' to get the most out of it. This plum colour is too flat and dark for me, I much prefer the brighter purples shown in the Lily and Lionel 'carrie' scarf. I'm looking forward to next week when Janice explores the brighter accents. Sharon, UK.
I really like this dirty purple plum colour because it works for me. But, in general, I love all purple shades on other people, plants and flowers and décor!!
I have bookmarked the antitheft bag from JC Penney as it looks smart in fashion and safety for travelling.
Deb from Vancouver
Love, love, love the olive combination!
Purple is my favourite colour!
Yep, works for me! Lovely, jewelly, rich purple. I need a touch of cream with it if wearing it near my face, but these days that's true for any colour darker than, well, light. So scarves, luvverly scarves … and then a deep, rich, auberginey, purple top/cardie/jumper/jackety thing. Swoon.
Robyn in Tasmania
I love this color with all tones of denim blue.
I love this color with all tones of denim blue.
I was surprised too by how well the sweater and camel pants paired…makes me rethink my standoffish relationship with camel!
I was surprised that you consider purple plus black or brown to be difficult – I love purple and wear these combinations often – but I prefer a purple that's a but lighter and more reddish. Everybody's different and has different tastes, obviously. Personally I don't like the plum with navy at all, for example.
Sonja
Purple and black seems like a winning combination. I have no purple in my wardrobe. Must rethink this. What a nice series of posts! Thanks, Janice!
I wear both reddened plums and blackened plums, really any shade of purple except for royal (blue) purple. So I loved this post Janice! Thank you. I think my fave may be the olive combo as it's a bit unexpected. I've ordered from Kettlewell before and have liked everything I received. The quality is worth the cost IMO. My only complaint with Kettlewell is that I wish they'd offer all the styles in all the colors.
Love the dark purple with olive! Who knew?? Not so much with the brown but doable. This is a great series!
I don’t know how can I give you thanks! I am totally stunned by your article. You saved my time. Thanks a million for sharing this article.