How to wear purple without looking Barney

While most young girls opt for pink or red as their favorite color, I went a different route and, for as long as I can remember, proclaimed myself a huge fan of the color purple. My childhood bedroom was painted a majestic shade of lilac and my favorite ice cream flavor was ube, strictly for its color. The My Little Pony I owned was lavender and so was the motif for my wedding. Initially, the wedding motif was hard to swing as my sponsors kept nagging me that lavender is the color of mourning for the Chinese. Since I don’t have a drop of Chinese blood, the motif flew and on my wedding day, purple reigned.

To this day, I love anything in the purple family, so naturally I was ecstatic when the fashion world dictated that it is this season’s must-have color. Glancing through glossies and surfing the net made me super excited for fall/winter even if it doesn’t really exist in the flipside. Regardless, the hue has worked its way into the fashion mix and has made violet vixens everywhere incredibly happy. Purple has injected itself in clothes and accessories to die for as this season’s most covetable bags and shoes come in shades of rich violets that scream opulence. Madonna was a vision in violet as she was spotted dressed entirely in plush plum. Ian Giron of Natori, whose job entails seeking out the newest fashion color trends, clearly states without apprehension that the color has taken off, given that we’re hung up on anything Madonna does or wears. To make this shade work for you, here are some suggestions to keep you looking fabulously plum this holiday season.

Dressing head to toe in one hue is extremely difficult, especially with a color such as this. Find the appropriate shade for your hair and skin tone to maximize this hot color. Darker skin can pull off aubergines and deep purples while lighter skin can carry tints like lilac better. Violets that are blue-based emit a cooler look that works well with dropping temperatures while pink-based violets tend to be warmer and softer.

Keep the tone in mind especially when you select makeup in this color. Blending several shades of violet on the face is one quick way to jump on this trend without dropping serious cash. Pearlized eyeshadow can work for day or night and brings delicate drama to the eyes. DuWop’s palette, available at Beauty Bar, achieves this look. Lipsticks in these shades work wonders as well, whether you go light or dark. It’s a sure way to stand out in a dominating nude and pink-based lipstick world out there.

Sporting purple instantaneously lends a debonair flair to anyone. Regal and sexy, dark plum shades look best when worn at night. To keep the look from becoming too severe, limit the color to select pieces rather than donning an entire getup. Too much is overkill and steering clear of channeling Grimas is the objective. Introduce accessories to your look and start small until you are comfortable with the color. A thin scarf or tank top will suffice and you can gradually add more to the ensemble, like jackets, bags and shoes. Spanish fashion boutiques Zara and Mango carry a plethora to choose from. Pieces this season come in various textures and fabrics that can transform an outfit into a purple haze. A little goes a long way by way of accessories. Amethyst jewelry is a knockout and looks great dangling from ears or decorating décolleté.

Lighter shades are generally easier to wear. Known as the hue for young royalty, lavender is softer on the eye and looks best worn as a blouse, skirt or dress. Flowing chiffon is rich and romantic and is perfect for those events lining your calendar. Whichever tinge works its way into your wardrobe, it will keep you at the forefront of this splendid, luxe trend.