Matching clothing colors can seem tricky at times, especially when it comes to more unique color combinations like purple and brown. As a fashion expert, I’m often asked if these two colors go well together and how to style an outfit featuring purple and brown. In this article, I’ll provide a thorough analysis of mixing these colors and offer tips on wearing purple and brown clothes.
The Color Theory Behind Purple and Brown
To understand if purple and brown are compatible colors, it helps to look at some basic color theory. Purple and brown are considered analogous colors, meaning they sit next to each other on the color wheel. Analogous colors tend to create a cohesive, harmonious look when paired together. This is because they share some similar pigments and hues.
Specifically, purple contains hints of red while brown contains undertones of orange. Since red and orange are adjacent colors, this helps connect purple and brown in a subtle way. Additionally, both purple and brown are fairly neutral, low saturation colors. They aren’t overly bright or intense hues. This makes them easier to combine without clashing.
However, purple and brown do have enough contrast between them to create visual interest. Purple brings a cooler, bolder vibe while brown has a warmer, more earthy feel. Skillfully balancing these color qualities is key to styling the two together.
Factors That Impact Matching Purple and Brown
While purple and brown can complement each other, the exact shades and tones you choose will impact how cohesive the combination looks. Here are some factors to consider when matching these colors:
- Shade – Darker, richer purple and brown shades pair better than light tints of these colors.
- Undertone – Cool-toned purples look best with warm, rustic browns. Conversely, warm eggplant purples complement neutral or cool browns.
- Saturation – Pair deep jewel tones together or lighter dusty shades together rather than combining bold and muted hues.
- Fabric – Matching textures like corduroy, velvet, linen, or wool creates a more uniform look.
- Accessories – Ties, bags, shoes, and jewelry in metallics like gold, bronze, or pewter bridges the gap between purple and brown.
Keeping these factors in mind will ensure your purple and brown outfit has real sophistication and polish.
How to Style Purple and Brown Clothes
When building an outfit with purple and brown pieces, you’ll want to aim for balance. If you pair a bold purple top with neutral brown pants, ground the look with muted brown shoes. Or if you wear a patterned purple skirt, choose a solid brown top to even out the ensemble.
You can also use lighter shades of purple and brown near your face to create contrast against darker hues further down your outfit. Here are some easy ways to wear purple and brown clothes:
- Rich purple sweater with brown corduroy pants or skirt
- Plum dress with a brown belt and booties
- Eggplant top with khaki brown trousers
- Brown pantsuit with purple button-up shirt underneath
- Purple blazer layered over a camel turtleneck sweater and brown loafers
- Metallic purple sweater dress with bronze heels and brown hobo bag
When pairing purple and brown separates, stick to 2-3 garments in each color at most. This creates balance without going overboard. You can finish off your outfit by adding supporting neutrals like black, gray, tan, or white.
Dos and Don’ts of Matching Purple and Brown
Follow these simple dos and don’ts when combining purple and brown for foolproof outfits:
Dos
- Do choose purple and brown pieces in complementary textures like suede, velvet, corduroy, etc.
- Do opt for dark, rich shades for maximum sophistication.
- Do add metallic shoes, jewelry, or bags to tie the colors together.
- Do balance bolder hues with neutral supporting pieces.
- Do layer lighter shades near your face and darker versions further down.
Don’ts
- Don’t pair extremely light or extremely dark purple with brown.
- Don’t wear more than 3 garments in purple and brown each.
- Don’t choose competing undertones, like a cool purple with warm brown.
- Don’t combine muted and bright/saturated shades.
- Don’t over-accessorize with too many colors and metals.
Example Outfits with Purple and Brown
Here are a few example outfits showcasing fashionable ways to mix and match purple and brown clothing:
| Outfit | What Works |
|---|---|
| Plum turtleneck sweater, brown corduroy skirt, bronze booties | Rich fall tones, matching fabric texture, metallic shoes as bridge |
| Eggplant shift dress, dark brown belt, neutral pumps | Darker shades paired together, brown belt cinches waist |
| Purple blouse, khaki trousers, brown leather tote | Lighter purple top, neutral brown bottom, brown handbag ties look |
| Brown pantsuit, lilac button-up, metallic heels | Crisp mix of professional pieces, metallic heels complement |
As you can see, the colors purple and brown can work together beautifully. Just remember to pay attention to undertones, shades, textures, and balance when coordinating an outfit with these colors.
Conclusion
Matching purple and brown clothing comes down to choosing complementary shades and textures in each color. Darker jewel tones and rich fabrics like velvet pair best, while eggshell purple and light brown can clash. Include metallic accessories to help bridge the gap between the cooler and warmer hues.
Aim for a balanced mix of no more than 3 brown and purple garments. Support them with neutral pieces like black, white, gray, or tan. Avoid going overboard on purple and brown by keeping the outfit simple and sophisticated.
With some practice coordinating the colors, you’ll find purple and brown are an unexpected but stylish combination. So don’t be afraid to experiment with plum, aubergine, lavender and chocolate, tan, khaki to create fashion-forward looks.
