Purple
is much in evidence in women's clothing and accessories for Autumn 2011 and Winter 2012. Vibrant purple amethyst is one of the
rich jewel hues of winter. Think of the hues fresh berries,
blackcurrants damsons, plums and blueberries for any number of
purple colour combinations. Accessories such as suede gloves, a
belt, a handbag, coloured pantyhose, or piece of jewellery in
any of the purple hues would update your autumn/winter wardrobe.
Left -Thakoon AW11 - Side Draped Purple Satin Dress.
Right - Gucci Purple Parti-Colour Coat.
Catwalk Purple embraced a whole range of purple tones from
lilac, violet to aubergine. The names for purple are many and
varied dependent on the tint or shade, but this season also
include grape, damson, blackcurrant, mauve, amethyst, acai,
eggplant, orchid, plum, wisteria, lavender, orchid and
loganberry. Some are blue or red hued berry stains, but for me
the prettiest purples are those wispy velvety hues found in
violets and irises.
Other vivid rich jewel colours
this year include
golden amber, carnelian
red, garnet, pink ruby,
sapphire, emerald,
olive green quartz,
teal, aquamarine and purple amethyst.
Pantone say of this years purple hue "Phlox,
a magical, deep purple with a hint of mystery, is an outstanding
statement when worn on its own."
Left - PANTONE 19-2820 Phlox.
Right - ASOS - Purple Drop Earring.
Add Phlox to this season's neutrals to create a bit of drama,
or combine it with Cedar, Deep Teal or
Coffee Liqueur for
something extraordinary. Select a purple leather croc clutch,
amethyst gemstone like this earring above from ASOS to be in on
the purple trend.
Proud purple adds winter opulence. Winter pieces range from
true violet to more plum aubergine tones of purple. Add a purple
accessory such as a belt to bring together other colour combinations.
Heather Purple Belt - Ted Baker AW11
Womenswear Accessories At Tedbaker.com.
For the edgiest look this
season mix and contrast bold colours will bring the zest of
living colours into your world. Colour-block new with old pieces
to create fashion buzz that will take you into spring 2012.
The centre of attention for autumn 2011 has been on jewel colours
and of colour blocking with these rich hues.
This major development
carries forward from
spring brights and colour-block dresses.
Colour mixing bold purple, plum berry, damson and magenta purple
with other brights like pink or teal is a norm for winter 2012.
So go ahead and mix and match your colour block look.
Left - Miss Selfridge - Purple Tights/Floral
Tunic Dress.
Centre - Miss Selfridge AW11 - Colourful Purple Opaque
Tights/Pantyhose, Yellow Print Dress.
Right - Dorothy Perkins - Purple Jeans.
These mass market
garments above, and the way they have been styled are good
illustrations of achieving hot on trend looks by wearing
contrasting legwear or hosiery. But coloured jeans or trousers,
gloves, hats and scarves also
inject vibrant pops of colour such as purple and at low cost.
Left - Purple Ballerina Shoe, £35 - Fifty Plus Autumn Winter 2011
Collection. Fifty Plus AW11 Womenswear Stockist Number:
0871 231 2000.
Right - Hush Puppies Ponder Purple Leather Laced Shoe Boot £55.
Hush Puppies AW10 Women's Collection.
Purple is having a suede and satin moment. Low pump shoes or
flats in purple suede can lift a dull outfit into brights.
Purple shoe boots can set off great colour contrast with hosiery
or pants.
Left - Fifty Plus Autumn Winter 2011
Collection - £35. Stockist Number: 0871 231 2000. This pull-on,
suede slouch boot with strap detailing is a winner whatever your
age. It will suit many women as it is available up to EEE fitting.
Right - John Lewis AW11 - Hunter Original
Purple Welling Glossy Boot in Blackberry, £79.
Purple Bags
Bags have contrast piping trims or inset zip metalwork, tassels
and suede appliqué. These purple bags are mostly large bags, but
some satin purple clutch bags are available for evening and some
berry toned leather ones for all occasions.
Purple Suede Effect Handbag With Tassels/Zip Detailing - £23.99
At A-shu-co.uk.
Mulberry Clutch Bag At House Of Fraser.
Jasper Conran For Tripp Luggage - Croc Tote Bags.
Jasper Conran For Tripp Luggage - Purple Croc Large Tote Bag.
Jasper Conran At Tripp Luggage - Large Purple Grape Brocade Bag.
Women have been seeking dresses they can really wear and love, and
Mary Portas has heard their cries. The dress below would suit
any number of women and could be dressed up or down, layered,
toughened up with thicker textured tights and boots, or worn as
it is.
Day To Evening Dresses
Left - Mary Portas Purple 'No Brainer' Dress £135 - House Of
Fraser.
Right - V-Neck Draped Purple Dress - Isme AW11.
Drapery In Dresses
Left - People Tree Purple Wrap Draped Dress.
Centre - East - Plum Wrap Dress - EAST Gilded Lilies Collection.
EAST Autumn/Winter 2011 Clothing Stockist Number: 0208 877 6543.
Right - Marks & Spencer AW11 Purple Draped Dress.
Dresses
in stores range from blue violet purples to rich warm red
purples with a hint of damson and plum.
To add even more excitement, pair Phlox with Honeysuckle.
Near Right - PANTONE 19-2820 Phlox.
Far Right - PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle.
Texture is also important with crochet, lace and pleating giving
focus to fabric. Rib Knits also introduce texture in sweater
dresses.
THE texture to buy is lace, as sported by Catherine Middleton
at her wedding. Lace was already gaining ground this past year,
but the Duchess of Cambridge reminded the world how glorious lace could be.
Fashionistas love lace. Buy it in every colour at every
opportunity.
Left - Purple Lace Dress - Very.co.uk.
Centre - Burgundy Crochet Dress.
Right - La Redoute Purple Rib Sweater Dress.
Texture and pattern in knitwear is back on the fashion agenda.
In knitwear look for rib knits and cable knit material.
Left - Marks & Spencer AW11 - Purple Pleated Rose Neckline
Dress.
Right - Magenta Pink Dress From Bonmarché Features Rose
Flower Neckline.
Sequins
Sequins were suggested by designers for anytime wear, making
them suited to garments designed for casual or red carpet
events. So note any racks with big sequinned skirts or glitter
trousers and give them a good browse.
Massive sequin Paillettes are supersized this year.
Prada
served up fish scale dresses and Christopher Kane scattered
sheer dresses with clear sequins. The look is delicate and wispy
rather than glitzy bling.
Left - Littlewoods Ireland Autumn Winter 2011 - €82.
Stockist Number: 01 811 22 22.
Right - M&S Per Una Speziale Purple Violet Dress £199 -
Christmas Partywear.
Beautifully made 70s Biba inspired dress with floppy blouson sleeves
and high neck.
Left - Kaliko Purple Jewelled Shoulder Maxi Dress £110/€176 -
Kaliko Autumn Winter 2011 Stockist Number: 01582 399809.
Right - Purple V Neck Dress - Very.co.uk.
Retailers are recognising that women want to cover up bingo or
chicken wings, and so sleeves make a huge comeback. Even a wispy
hint of shoulder cover makes many women feel more comfortable.
Petite Purple Dresses
Left - M&Co Purple Dress Bell Sleeve Dress.
Right - Minuet Petite - Petite Ladies Purple Beaded Neck Stretch Satin
Prom Dress £120/€192.
Minuet Petite Stockist Number: 01582 399809.
Shoulder Focus Purple Dresses
Left - Angel Sleeve Purple Pleat Swathed One Shouldered Dress.
Fever - Christie One Sleeve Dress £69.99 -
Fever Designs AW11 Stockist Number: 020 7636 6326.
Right - Sheer Chiffon Cutwork Shoulder Yoke Interest Prom Party
Dress From A|wear, €65/£60.
Stockist Number: 00 353 1 4724900.
Patterned Print Purple Dresses
Left - Purple Print Pleat Bustier Dress - Lipsy AW11.
Right - Kaliko AW11 - Purple Multi Jacquard Dress.
Left - Monsoon Purple Floral 70s Smock Dress.
Right - Peter Som Purple Fur Trim Jacket & Dress.
‡
Purple Fur Coats
Left - Purple Fur Shrug - Emporio AW11.
Right - Venexia AW11 Grape Purple Fur Jacket.
Left & Right - Star by Julien MacDonald Glam Faux Fur Coat
£99/€148.50 - Debenhams.
Purple Separates
If you prefer purple separates then this blouse or skirt could
pep up your party plans.
Left - ASOS Purple Sequin Pailette Top.
Right - Isme Purple Peephole Shoulder Top.
Left - Lipsy AW11 Purple Tunic Dress.
Centre - Dorothy Perkins One Shoulder Purple Short Dress.
Right - Purple Sunray Pleat Midi Skirt, £19.
Purple Evening Glamour
Make a statement by wearing a purple jumpsuit, catsuit or wide
palazzo pants. These
all-in-one trouser versions below each have a cutaway halter
neckline style. Wide legs or harem style the choice
is yours. Palazzo pants with their easy roomy flowing legs are
always holiday winners for hotter climates.
Left - Debenhams AW11 Purple Catsuit.
Centre - Simply Be AW11 Purple Palazzo Pants - £38.
Right - Satin Halter Neck Playsuit in Purple, £26 -
Pilotfashion.com.
Copyright of images courtesy of Prshots.com,
IFTF, Pantone, Swarovski, A|wear, ASOS, Accessorize
Monsoon, Marks & Spencer, M&Co, Minuet Petite,
Dorothy Perkins, House of Fraser, Oasis, Debenhams, Lipsy, Littlewoods,
Fever, very.co.uk, Isme, Miss Selfridge, T K Maxx,
House of Fraser/Mary Portas,
Hush Puppies, A-shu, Kaliko, East,
Bonmarché,
Pilot, Oli, People Tree, Primark, Penneys, Simply Be, Fifty
Plus, Dunnes.
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