Purple can be polarizing! It’s my mom’s favorite color, and I know so many people who love it, but it doesn’t get very much love in my own wardrobe. It’s been all over the media, though. Vogue named electric purple “Fall’s color to watch“, detailing how high-fashion labels like Gucci, Miu Miu, and Anna Sui are embracing the hue in everything from velvet blazers to mod accessories. Purple has historically signaled power and glamour. Meanwhile, Marie Claire declared it “the easiest way to dress like you inherited a fortune,” and Bazaar had a great piece about how purple ruled the runway at NYFW.
Needless to say, purple has been on my mind. Today, I’ve rounded up a slew of great pieces. For me personally, I think the best ways to wear it are by pairing a soft lavender with denim, saving it for a special occasion, or sticking to the (really wearable) eggplant and aubergine end of the spectrum.
Polarizing purple: Fall’s Most Divisive Trend
Soft lavender pieces to dress down with denim
- You can’t go wrong with a simple cashmere tee. I would wear this with silky pants (an ochre like these would look amazing. Or, denim!
- A versatile cashmere cardigan like this one (which also happens to be on sale). I love the covered buttons!
Special occasion wear
- This lavender kaftan feels positively majestic. I would pair it with a platform and long layered necklaces.
- This caped satin maxi feels equally regal (though a bit more wearable, in that deeper hue)
- These Jennifer Behr earrings are fit for a queen.
Deeper hues that feel perfect for fall
- This & Other Stories smocked dress is a great price and reminds me so much of one I have from Merlette (and another from La Ligne). So easy to wear!
- Also from Stories (they’re doing such a great job right now) is this dolman-sleeved dress that has all the energy of a caftan but with a slimmer profile.
- This fuzzy violet sweater is such a pretty color (and on mega sale!).
How do you feel about purple? It seems like it’s either a love or a hate for most people!
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Ruffle-Trim TopSuch a fun little tank!Shop -
Drop EarringsWouldn’t be my usual suspects for occasion jewelry, but WOW!Shop
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Embroidered MaxiAn absolutely stunning pick any end of summer weddings!Shop
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Cashmere TeeA really good transitional piece. Summer color mixed with fall fabric!Shop
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One-Shoulder Kaftanstunning!This is dramatic and elegant. I’d pair with layers of gold jewelry and a platform heel.Shop
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Cashmere CardiganI love how versatile short sleeve cardigans are. They truly can be worn year-round!Shop
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Cut-Out MidiSuch a beautiful pattern! Love it.Shop
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Suede SneakersI need to experiment more with everyday sneakers! These ones are so cute.Shop
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Provence bookTake me back to my trip!!!!Shop
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Cashmere CrewneckThe coziest sweater in a gorgeous shade of purple.Shop
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Square Toe FlatSo many amazing color options for these flats.Shop
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Floral MiniMerlette has truly become a favorite brand. This mini is so good!Shop
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Draped Mini90s vibesI’m getting bigtime 90s vibes from this slip dress (in a really good way!).Shop
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Pendant NecklaceThis is gorgeous!Shop
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Shirred MiniWould be great with thigh high boots once things cool down.Shop
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Smocked MidiA dupe for my newest dress from Merlette! Love the rich color.Shop
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Poplin ShortsSimple and chic! The rich plum is stunning.Shop
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Dolman MidiAbsolutely love this fit; it feels very caftan-esque!Shop
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Raglan SweaterLove this shade of purple!Shop
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Slingback PumpsThese will carry you through any event, in any season.Shop
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Cape MidiomgThis would be stunning for a special occasion!Shop
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I love all this purple! I love a light lavender but never know how to blend it into my wardrobe.
I think lavender looks so good with brown and ochre shades!
Just no to purple for me. High school in the 80s and our winter uniform was a dark purple gabardine fabric and summer was a light purple dress. Kids from other schools would sing Purple People Eaters when they would see us.
You do you! xo
I love purple as it is my favorite color as well. I tend to avoid lavender because it makes me look washed out. I wish those Veja sneakers weren’t sold out in my size, though. I find red to be the most polarizing color.
Oh that’s so funny as I think red is so earable!
Oh that’s so funny as I think red is so wearable!
I love that dark purple unreservedly. Light purple I think can be hard to wear but that nice dark one looks so good to me!
The darker ones are so wearable!
I actually just bought that & Other Stories smocked dress! I really liked it but the sleeves didn’t look quite right on me so I will be returning it. But it’s a great dress for anyone who lives in a warm climate: a moody fall color but in a lightweight cotton dress.
Ooh thanks for telling me!
Circling back to say I ordered the lilac jcrew sweater, it has arrived and is so lovely! thank you for the recommendation!
I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know.