Purple is a rich, vibrant color that can be paired with many other shades to create stylish and eye-catching outfits. Choosing the right colors to complement purple clothing or accessories is key to pulling off a cohesive and fashionable look. Certain colors work better than others when paired with purple, depending on the shade and tone.
Warm or Cool Undertones
The first thing to consider when selecting coordinating colors is whether the purple item has warm or cool undertones. Warm purple shades like lilac, mauve and mulberry tend to have hints of red, orange or yellow. These pair best with other warm hues like peach, coral, tan, gold, cream and soft greens. Cool purple shades like eggplant, lavender and plum have blue undertones. These look great with other cool colors like light blue, slate gray, magenta and mint green. Pay attention to the specific purple hue and choose accompanying colors with similar temperature undertones.
Monochromatic
Sticking to a monochromatic, single color palette is a foolproof way to look stylish in purple. Match different shades and tints of purple together, like pairing a deep eggplant sweater with lavender trousers or a lilac shirt. Monochromatic outfits are always in style and create an elegant, sophisticated aesthetic. To add depth, include purple hues with lighter and darker values. For example, try a dark purple jacket with medium purple heels and a light purple handbag.
Analogous Colors
Colors adjacent to purple on the color wheel are considered analogous colors. These hues complement each other nicely because they share common undertones. Analogous color schemes create visually pleasing outfits that aren’t overly matchy-matchy. Some examples of analogous colors to pair with purple include:
– Blue-violet
– Blue
– Magenta
– Red-violet
A jewel-toned eggplant dress would pop with accessories in sapphire blue and cerise pink. An outfit with various shades of blue, violet and magenta can make quite a vibrant style statement.
Complementary Colors
The complement of purple on the color wheel is yellow. Purple and yellow are striking when paired together because they contrast strongly. Too much can be overwhelming to the eye, so use complementary colors sparingly and in the right contexts. A vivid yellow clutch can make a simple purple dress stand out. Purple jeans or leggings look trendy with a mustard yellow top. Bright yellow socks or shoelaces add a fun punch of contrast to purple sneakers. Use the 60-30-10 rule for mixing complementary colors: 60% purple, 30% yellow, and 10% neutral.
Triadic Colors
A triadic color scheme uses three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. The triadic palette for purple includes red and green. This color combo can be bold and energetic when used in the right amounts. A pumpkin colored turtleneck pairs nicely with an amethyst skirt and emerald earrings. Balance a predominately purple outfit with touches of red accessories like a handbag or shoes.
Split Complementary Colors
The split complement approach uses a color and the two hues adjacent to its complement. For purple, this includes yellow-orange and yellow-green. These offer the visual interest of contrasting colors without the vibrancy of true complementary shades. Together they create laidback, earthy aesthetics. Try a pale violet cardigan over a mustard yellow tee and olive green pants. A muted lavender dress works with cognac brown boots and moss green jewelry.
Tetradic Colors
Tetradic palettes contain four colors spaced evenly around the color circle. This creates a bold, dynamic, high-contrast look. The tetradic scheme for purple includes red, yellow, and green. When combining four vivid colors, it helps to choose a lighter tint of one as the main color. For example, pair a blush purple coat with accents of emerald, vermilion and lemon. Or opt for paler shades like lilac, peach, mint and sky blue.
Neutral Colors
Pairing purple with neutral colors is an effortless way to add vibrancy to a neutral wardrobe. Timeless neutrals like white, black, gray, brown and tan work with all shades of purple. Crisp winter white tops bring out the richness of jewel-toned purple bottoms. Charcoal gray overcoats complement lavender dresses. Soft heather grays and purples create laidback loungewear looks. For extra visual interest, choose neutral textures like tweed, linen or leather.
Metallic Colors
Few colors pop more with purple than metallics. The contrast of cool purple shades against warm, reflective metallic hues creates stylish contrast. Pair plum with rose gold jewelry and accessories for an elegant night out. Match eggplant with bronze shoes and handbag for a glam daytime look. Or try smoky grays with silver for an edgy, futuristic vibe. Limit metallic pairings to accessories so outfits don’t seem overdone.
Best Color Matches for Specific Purple Shades
Certain purple hues look best with specific color pairings. Here are handy recommendations for flattering color combinations based on different purple shades:
Lavender – light blue, pink, pale yellow, white, gray
Lilac – peach, sage green, cream, soft pink, gold
Wisteria – neutral taupes and grays, robin’s egg blue
Thistle – seafoam green, slate blue, mauve, blush pink
Orchid – fuchsia, turquoise, lime green, tangerine
Grape – emerald green, canary yellow, black
Eggplant – royal blue, rose gold, magenta
Plum – camel, dark green, burnt orange, red
Amethyst – champagne, charcoal gray, baby blue
Mulberry – gold, olive green, light gray, blush
Color Combinations to Avoid
Some color pairings clash with purple and should generally be avoided. Colors on the opposite side of the color wheel often conflict. Stay away from combinations like:
– Orange and purple
– Lime green and purple
– Bright red and light purple
– Neon colors with muted purples
Additionally, pairing purple with other similar tones can make an outfit look muddy. Adjacent shades like violet, blue-violet and red-violet often don’t have enough contrast. Analogous colors work well together, but hues that are too similar create a dull, monotonous look.
How Different Fabrics Impact Color Pairings
The texture and sheen of different fabrics impacts how colors work together. Smooth, glossy materials like satin and silk intensify purple’s depth and vibrancy. Pair glossy purple fabrics with matte textures and darker shades to prevent overwhelming brightness. Soft, lightweight fabrics like chiffon and crepe flow beautifully in pale hues like lilac and lavender. Light purple fabrics pair breezily with neutrals like off-white linen or airy metallics like champagne gold. Heavyweight fabrics like wool, velvet and brocade balance and complement deep jewel tones and brighter metallic or prints. Consider the fabrics involved when coordinating purple pieces.
4 Sample Outfits Mixing and Matching Purple
Here are four example purple outfits showcasing harmonious color combos:
Monochromatic: Eggplant turtleneck sweater, amethyst pleated skirt, grape knee-high boots
Complementary: Lilac shift dress with lemon yellow belt and handbag
Split Complementary: Mulberry blazer with cobalt blue shirt, mint green pants
Analogous: Wisteria purple blouse, magenta pencil skirt, blue-violet heels
Conclusion
Purple has versatility to pair elegantly with both warm and cool colors. While any shade can work, some are more harmonious and flattering than others. Choosing colors with similar undertones creates cohesive, sophisticated looks. Colors on opposite sides of the color wheel make bold statements when combined artfully. Neutrals, metallics, and monochromatic ensembles bring out the richness of purple hues. Avoid mixing purple with adjacent, conflicting tones. Consider shade, texture and weight when coordinating purple pieces. With strategic color pairing, purple offers endless possibilities to look regal, lively and chic.
