Purple is a beautiful and regal color that can be incorporated into any wardrobe. When putting together a purple outfit, it’s important to select coordinating colors that will complement the purple rather than clash with it. Certain color combinations work better with purple than others. In this article, we’ll explore the best color matches for purple outfits.
Matching Lighter Purple with White
A light purple or lavender outfit looks beautiful paired with white. The lightness of the purple keeps the combination from feeling too heavy or dark when matched with crisp, clean white. White tops, pants, jackets, shoes or accessories add a fresh, bright accent to softer purple pieces. Together, these two palette cleansers create an elegant monochromatic look. Try pairing a lavender blouse with white cropped pants or a white pencil skirt for the office. For evening, style a pale purple cocktail dress with white heels and a clutch. This combo evokes a romantic, ethereal vibe.
Complementing Purple with Black
Richer purples like eggplant, grape and plum make a sophisticated pairing with classic black. The darkness of the black contrasts beautifully with the jewel toned purple, making each color ‘pop’. Black brings out the depth and dimension in saturated purples. These darker shades also give the combination an elegant, refined look. Pair a deep purple wrap dress with black heels, tights and a clutch for an evening event. Or keep it casual with a plum colored sweater, black jeans and ankle boots. Black nail polish, eyeliner and mascara also accentuate a purple outfit.
Accenting with Metallic Shoes and Accessories
Metallic shoes, handbags and jewelry make excellent accessories for purple outfits. The sheen of metals like gold, silver, bronze and pewter bring out the richness in purple hues. Metallic accessories add texture and light to balance the saturated color. Try a grape colored shift dress with gold sandals, a silver cuff bracelet and bronze shoulder bag for an easy daytime look. At night, reach for silver heels, a gold clutch and amethyst earrings to complement a regal eggplant evening gown. Just take care not to overdo it – keep the rest of the look minimal to let the purple and metallics shine.
Creating Contrast with Yellow
On the color wheel, purple’s complementary opposite is yellow. This means the two colors create a vibrant contrast when paired – the eye-catching combination makes each shade ‘pop’. Light pastel purples and yellows have a cheerful, spring-like feel. Jewel tones make more of a statement. A bold purple skirt or dress with yellow heels and accessories creates an exciting color combination. Just be sure the shades are equally saturated – match a vivid purple with an equally vivid yellow for the best effect. Tone down the contrast by mixing in neutrals like white, grey or black.
Trying Purple with Neutrals
For a more subtle, versatile look, pair purple with neutral colors like grey, tan, cream or brown. Soft greys bring out the feminine, romantic side of lavender and lilac. Tan and brown earth tones complement richer plums and eggplants, creating an elegant fall or winter palette. Cream or off-white neutrals freshen up deeper purples. Choose shoes and accessories in neutral shades to create a polished, pulled-together look. Neutrals also offer easy mixing and matching options for purple outfit pieces you already own.
Complementary Color Combinations
Here is a quick reference table summarizing the best color pairings with different shades of purple:
| Purple Hue | Complementary Colors |
| Light purples and lavenders | White, light greys, soft yellow |
| Medium purples and lilacs | Greys, taupes, light greens, baby blue |
| Jewel tones like eggplant, plum, grape | Black, browns, reds, dark greens |
| Rich, saturated purples | Metallics, yellow, teal, cobalt blue |
Conclusion
Purple outfits give you so many options for complementary colors across the spectrum. Lighter purples pair beautifully with crisp whites, soft yellows and pastel accents. Deeper, richer purples stand out when combined with classic black, earth tones, red or dark green. For an extra pop, bring in metallic shoes and accessories. And don’t be afraid to experiment with purple’s opposite on the color wheel, yellow. Just remember to keep the rest of the look minimal to let the vibrant purple take center stage. With the right color combinations, your purple outfit is sure to impress.
