Autumn style - the colour is purple
It’s all change for the new season. The autumn look is a complete contrast to the candy pastels and brightly coloured eyes that were huge during the summer.
By Shereen Low
If you want to look like you’re keeping up with fashion, switching to the season’s must-have colour is one of the simplest ways to update your wardrobe.
If straight-up purple isn’t your colour, try a slight diversion to warm plum tones - Additions Direct’s plum lace top, £15, and Laura Ashley’s plum lace camisole, £50, will flatter any skintone.
Additions Direct’s plum crinkle velvet skirt, £19, and Dorothy Perkins’ plum jersey dress, £28, are ideal for eveningwear.
But don’t think plum is the only alternative - berry (with a hint of red)
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| John Smedley's Mihara cardigan, £115. |
and aubergine (a cooler shade of purple) can also work for everyone, depending on what mood you’re in.
This winter, we’ll be looking regal in purple. While the colour is often popular during the festive season, this year it’s playing a more prominent role.
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But it’s not just lilac and rich amethyst that are in - berry hues are also back.
“Purple, along with aubergine, plum and maroon, is back this season as Biba-inspired fashion is one of the big trends for winter,” says Madeleine Smith, Red’s fashion and shopping editor.
“It’s an easy colour to wear, and fits in nicely with the midnight colours of navy and black.”
Deep purple can be a very flattering alternative to black, which can be too draining for some skintones even though it’s fashion’s favourite shade. |
| Abound lilac cobweb shrug, £35. |
Get into the rich jewel tones with Dorothy Perkins’ purple slouch shrug, £15, and crochet tie cape, £25, or Monsoon’s deep V-neck grape beaded cardigan, £36.
Feel the warmth with Laura Ashley’s blackberry velvet frill skirt, £85, Next’s berry cord mini skirt, £29.99, or Mango’s berry velvet jacket, £75, or add a hint of the chill with Dorothy Perkins’ aubergine cord jacket, £30, Warehouse’s aubergine silk camisole, £45, or John Smedley’s Mihara cardigan, £115.
“As always, if there’s a trend you're not sure of, just try a little accessory first and see how you like it,” says Madeleine.
Warehouse and Additions Direct have plum bags - pick up Warehouse’s brass three-ring scoop bag, £18, or Additions Direct’s studded bag, a bargain at £8.
Hats are sure to be big when it gets colder, so Liz Claiborne’s cloche wool hats, from £22, Kangol’s fluffy skull cap, £20, or Superdrug’s purple velvet cap, £6.99, will keep your head warm.
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Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Decadent Designers frogged military jacket £50, at Debenhams. |
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And there are plenty of purple-y shoes around. If you want to stick with purple, take a look at Faith’s offerings - Merger purple suede knee-high boots with ribbon ties, £85, or Mandy purple leather knee-high boots, £95.
Additions Direct’s plum tassle detail boots, £39, and Faith’s Marina plum suede round-toe pull-on knee-high boots with bird embroidery, £85, are perfect winter boots.
If you’re feeling down and in need of a quick uplift, brightly coloured shoes will always do the trick.
Check out Dorothy Perkins’ plum suede stud shoes, £40, Monsoon’s Ivone high-heeled
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Marks & Spencer's purple faux fur
gilet, £39.50. |
leather pumps, £80, Additions Direct’s magenta strappy mules, £10, or Miss Selfridge’s blackberry soft leather pumps, £35.
George’s purple top with floral embroidery, £10, Gap’s tulle ruffle top, £32, and Wallis’ frill mesh top, £30, are perfect for day to evening wear, and won’t look out of place in the boardroom or the bar. Artigiano’s cashmere wrap top, £139, is a real treat if you want to splash out.
Those with fairer skins will suit Abound’s lilac cobweb shrug, £35.
Purple is a great colour to wear as a cover-up - Butterfly by Matthew Williamson Decadent Designers frogged military jacket, £50, at Debenhams, incorporates both the military and the purple trends.
Fancy something more sumptuous? Marks & Spencer’s purple faux fur gilet, £39.50, Next’s velvet jacket, £64.99, Gap’s Romantic velvet blazer, £55, and Additions Direct’s velvet jacket, £39, suit the bill perfectly.
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Gap's purple Romantic velvet blazer, £55, and satin bow camisole, £32. |
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If you’re feeling confident, make an impression with Gap’s rich purple skinny cords, £39.50, Warehouse’s dark purple tiered beaded skirt, £38, Principles’ tiered skirt with asymmetric velvet trim, £39, or Laura Ashley’s purple wrap jersey dress, £70.
Stockists
Abound - 0845 300 2470/ www.abound.co.uk
Additions Direct - 0845 304 0008/ www.additionsdirect.co.uk
Artigiano - 01983 531 000/ www.artigiano.co.uk
Debenhams - 08445 616 161/ www.debenhams.com
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Additions Direct's purple velvet jacket, £39. |
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Marina plum suede round-toe pull-on knee-high boots with bird embroidery, £85, from Faith. |
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