Purple is a beautiful and versatile color that can be challenging to match in fashion and decor. The key to successfully coordinating purple is understanding its undertones and finding complementary shades that enhance its vibrancy. With some color theory knowledge and examples of purple color palettes, you’ll be matching this royal hue with confidence.
The Undertones of Purple
Purple is a secondary color made by combining red and blue. This blend results in a color with undertones of both warm red and cool blue. The proportion of red and blue in the mix determines if the purple leans warm or cool.
Warm Purple Undertones
Purples with more red undertones read as warm purples. These shades include:
- Magenta purple
- Raspberry purple
- Plum purple
- Mauve purple
Warm purple hues pair well with other warm colors like yellow, peach, terracotta, gold, and rich metallics.
Cool Purple Undertones
Purples with more blue undertones read as cool purples. These shades include:
- Lilac purple
- Lavender purple
- Orchid purple
- Eggplant purple
Cool purple hues pair beautifully with other cool colors like green, teal, silver, gray, and icy metallics.
Complementary Color Schemes with Purple
Using color theory to identify shades that complement purple is key for successful coordination. The color wheel provides a visual guide for finding harmonious color combinations.
Monochromatic
A monochromatic palette uses different tones, saturation, and brightness levels of one color. With purple, this provides a soothing, elegant look. Try pairing eggplant with pale lilac and violet.
Analogous
Analogous schemes use hues next to each other on the color wheel. For purple, choose red-purples with blue-purples and blues. A raspberry, amethyst, and navy blue scheme has nice energy.
Complementary
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the wheel. The complement of purple is yellow. Vibrant pairings like purple and yellow-gold pop beautifully. Try pale purple with mustard or lilac with lemon.
Split Complementary
A split complementary palette uses a color and the two hues adjacent to its complement. For purple, this is yellow-green and yellow-orange. Try medium purple with chartreuse and peach.
Triadic
Triadic palettes use three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. The triadic palette of purple includes red and green. Try combining eggplant, crimson, and forest green.
Rectangle (Tetradic)
Tetradic palettes pair two complementary pairs, creating a vibrant rectangle on the color wheel. For purple, try magenta and yellow-green with blue-purple and yellow-orange.
Examples of Purple Color Palettes
Here are some examples of stylish color palettes featuring purple:
Warm Purple Palette
| Magenta | Raspberry | Peach | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
Cool Purple Palette
| Lavender | Orchid | Sea Foam | Silver |
|---|---|---|---|
Tips for Coordinating Purple Fashion
Some useful tips for wearing purple clothing and accessories include:
- Match purple clothing to your eye color – purple brings out blue and green eyes beautifully.
- Aim for a balanced mix of warm and cool purple tones in an outfit.
- Add metallic shoes, handbag, or jewelry to make purple pop.
- Pair soft purple with gray, navy, black, or white for a tranquil vibe.
- Mix rich purple with bold reds, oranges or yellows for high-impact.
How to Decorate with Purple
Decorating with purple is an elegant yet playful choice. Here are some decor ideas featuring this regal color:
- Paint an accent wall in a saturated purple hue like eggplant or violet.
- Use lavender and lilac pillows and throws to add soft color to a neutral room.
- Add warm purple kitchen accessories like a rug, teakettle or dish towels.
- Display purple flowers like orchids, pansies, hydrangea or irises.
- Incorporate metallic purple accents through candleholders, vases or tableware.
Aim for purple to make up 15-20% of the space for balance. Vary shades and textures for interest.
Conclusion
Purple conveys nobility, luxury and creativity. By understanding its undertones and pairing it with complementary colors, you can use this vibrant secondary shade to its full potential. Analyze purple items for warm or cool tones. Build color schemes using the color wheel as a guide. With the right complementary hues, you’ll be fashionably and stylishly matching the color purple.
