Purple Fashion: Still Hot This Season in 2009

Derek Lam Purple Dress

Image source: www.net-a-porter.com

So, i mentioned earlier on in my blog about how purple was going to be hot in 2008 and i think it is safe to say that this will continue well into 2009. It is a colour that has arrived and isnt going away anytime soon.

To prove this, all you need to do is look at some of the top fashion sites to see for yourself. All the designers have still got a focus on purple fashion and Net-A-Porter hve some great items in at the moment for the new season. I simply adore the Derek Lam  purple halter dresss pictured above…this is going to be hot this season…get it while you can! It costs £1032.55

You can buy it HERE

“Start Wearing Purple” says Gogol Bordello! Celebrities Wearing Purple Fashion…

This season there have been loads of celebrities spotted out wearing the hottest colour around at the moment – purple.

Anyone heard the Gogol Bordello song “Start Wearing Purple”? Well, if you haven’t, check out the video below. It is a really catchy little number and it inspires you to quite literally, wear purple. Yes the song is random, but the meaning isn’t – purple really is a hot colour to be seen in and I’m going to show you just what i mean. Check out these celebrities wearing purple clothes:

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood in Purple

(Image source: http://www.bestwomenstyle.com/2008/04/25/carrie-underwood-in-purple-dress/)

Verdict? Very stylish; Carrie wears this colour effortlessly and the shape of the dress flatters her figure. Traditionally, dark purples suit dark hair and skin, but Carrie Underwood shows that even the paler complexions can carry it off. This is achieved by showing more skin to contrast against the heavy purple. If this dress was full length and long sleeved, blonde Carrie would look swamped in it.

Score: 8/10

Rihanna

Rihanna in Purple

Verdict? This picture shocked me a little. Rihanna always looks so glamorous and stunning that i was so surprised when i saw this big purple blackcurrant impression she tried to pull off. With such a beautiful skin tone, the clash of colours going on here is nothing but a fashion faux pas. The jumpsuit is far too “block” in colour and makes her look larger round the hips as well as being unflattering and baggy in the wrong places. As a fashion advisor, i would have cut this outfit up and had her in a tight black pencil skirt with the pinky/purple top and a black jacket to round off the look.

Score: 3/10

Mariah Carey in Purple

Verdict? Mariah Carey has a wonderful curvaceous figure, but this dress does nothing for. This kind of bluey-purple is a hard colour to wear and although very pretty, it can often make women look drained. I don’t think the style of the dress suits Mariah either – notice her hands uncomfortably hovering over the chest.

Score: 5/10

Amerie

Amerie Wearing Purple

(Image source: http://trendcity.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/star-studded-in-purple-passion/)

Verdict: This is a gorgeous picture of Amerie. The dress is stunning and the material shows of her figure perfectly. The soft sheen that this purple has complements Amerie’s soft complexion and delicate features. If this colour of purple was any darker then this dress might not have looked so good. The bias cut shows of the leg and the whole outfit fits perfectly. Even the bracelet tones in. All credit to her stylists for this one.

Score: 10/10

Chris Kirkpatrick

Chris Kirkpatrick (ex-Nsync)

(Image source: http://thefuntimesguide.com/2008/05/index.php?page=2)

Verdict: Oh dear Chris, what were you thinking? Even men can get their fashions wrong sometimes.  Whoever let this guy walk out where there are other people deserves to be fired from their job. My opinion? Don’t even try and wear metallic purple like this unless your black. A white man’s often rusty complexion cannot carry this colour very well and it just looks like a circus jacket. This jacket is far too OTT to be taken seriously, so Chris – look in the mirror next time!

Score: 0/10

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus in Purple

(Image source: http://thebestdamnthingever.blogspot.com/2007_12_01_archive.html)

Verdict: Here’s Miley Cyrus in this cute little ensemble. The jumper dress doesn’t swamp her little frame because she teams it with black tights and a black jacket. This breaks the block colour up and keeps it looking fresh and youthful. The belt is simple and pretty. She is very pale in this picture though, very English Rose, and this colour almost doesn’t work, but i think she just about pulls it off.

Score: 5/10

Do you agree with me?

Purple Power! Purple dress / cardigan / shoes and bag – Purple Fashion Rocks!

Since purple is really hot this season, i think it worth my time to share with you all the fab purple ensembles you can purchase right now.

The colour purple has never really been considered a staple colour in your wardrobe. Yes, you can wear a top with beautiful purple flowers on it, but block purple has always been seen as a bit heavy and drab for many people. Not anymore! This Winter, make sure you cosy up in the hottest purple creations around.

So, how do you wear purple this Winter? Well, i think the trick here is not to “overdo” it. With purple being quite a heavy colour, it is important that you use it in a way that doesn’t make you look washed out or old and frumpy. The wrong colour purple could do this. Lets look at my example:

Below is a pic i found from a US site. It is a purple and black housecoat / cardigan. For me, this does not work. The purple is too bright and the black makes it look like a bumble bee that has been swimming in Ribena. The material doesn’t work for me either – too “shaggy” and messy. This cardigan is so busy and fussy on the eye, that you would have to wear white underneath to help tone down the vibrancy. I think this is anything but a statement piece.

Not my cup of tea...

Now I’ve shown you what doesn’t work, check out this hot little cashmere cardigan available from Laura Ashley.

Purple at its best!

By wearing a dark purple top with lilac accents on the pockets etc, this breaks up the heavy block colour of the purple and makes it much easier on the eye. Team this cardigan with some black trousers for a hot winter look.

Now, lets remember we can always make our purple a little bit more exciting by choosing different purple variations in an outfit. If its an evening out you are planning for, then see below:

Experiment with your purple!

Okay, this was just a quick mock-up that i did, but notice how the dress is a bluey-purple, not garish and totally stunning in a soft, floaty material. Team this colour purple with a fuschia pink bag and shoes and you are set for your evening out! Note the sheen on the dress is replicated on the bag and shoes. Never piece an outfit together with different materials clashing.  Also notice the slight ruffle effect of the bag works well with the dress. The bows on the shoes are mirrored with the bow wrapped around the dress. This outfit is perfect for a night out, and shows how you can wear purple and make it really work.

The dress is by Jay Ahr  – Jersey Mini Dress

The shoes are by Tibi – the fuchsia Heathcliff Ankle Wrap Sandal

The bag is by Fendi – The Borderline Ruffle Clutch

Check out Net-A-Porter to see if they are still available!

So, when you’re choosing your purple for this Winter, make sure you get that colour just right. Purple can be hard to wear and cheap drab looking versions will do nothing to complement your figure so shop wisely.