Now Trending: Purple Rain

Posted by Julia Neel

Purple, the colour of royalty, juvenile sexual references and Prince songs, is back on the agenda for autumn/winter 2012. Oh, I do love a colour trend. There’s nothing easier to get right. It’s idiot-proof, unlike the season’s oversize and layering trends, so you can relax and wear with confidence.

Christopher Kane applied an amethyst leopard print to a vast top and matching pencil skirt; and he revisited the hue at Versus, where he reworked it in an all-over medallion print mini dress, worn with matching thigh-high boots.

At Gucci, Frida Giannini was so deep into purple that she carpeted her catwalk with it. Then sent out girls wearing shades of violet in furry coats, organza trousers and satin double-breasted blazers (yes, all one look), or in a claret-coloured devoré dress.

Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta showed how to wear it from 9-to-5, with a neat skirt suit in aubergine. Belted, peplumed, and bedazzled with a smattering of sparkle, I wish I could go to work looking like this every day.

Mixed with black, as Erdem did to open his show, things take on a slightly gothic effect. He appliquéd inky floral shapes onto purple tweed, and worked a shiny black fabric with that same tweed into a corset dress.

In fact, when looking to accessorise this trend, black is your best bet. Gucci did it with patent pumps, Balenciaga had sequin belts, Kane had fierce ankle boots and Bottega Veneta had over-the-elbow gloves.

But for a fresher option, make like Roksanda and team your purple pieces with jolts of yellow. This palette of contrasts (yellow sits opposite purple on the colour wheel), was also seen at Marc Jacobs, who put a softer spin on it with mauve in shaggy coats or in brocade picked out with yellow. Big yellow bags added extra vibrancy.

Want a winter coat with a difference? Get one in grape. Fluffy, furry, wool or jacquard – one of the season’s new overcoats will look totally up-to-date in the right shade of violet.

Don’t want to go head-to-toe? Fair enough. Try mixing with red wine burgundies, or with cobalt blue. Or look to the make-up at Roberto Cavalli for inspiration for a dramatic plum eye – if you just want to nod at the trend.

Shop our pick of purple pieces here!