Awesome in aubergine

The hottest colour this season, we tell you how to get this tricky hue right.

Ever wondered that despite purple being the most festive colour, very few women turn up in this hue? Says designer Surily Goel, “Purple is a very tricky colour. Also, it’s a tough colour to accessorise.”

A white or a black with purple is a great combo, but then it’s not easy to maintain the balance. So how does one strike that perfect balance?

The right contrast
If you are going for a deep shade in purple, ensure that the occasion demands for it. For a more casual look, go for a lilac or lighter hue. Designer Abhishek Dutta says, “Dark people should avoid wearing dark purple to avoid appearing dull. Ethnic wear in purple should not too embellished and gaudy.”

Accessorise right
Purple in itself is a very bright colour, so wear light accessories. Goel says, “Wear a satin purple dress with emeralds and gold or silver sandals but don’t go overboard with metallic colours.” Designer Manju Grover says, “Team up a purple top with a dark-coloured jeans. If you’re wearing a purple cocktail dress, team it up with diamond jewellery.”

Fashion flub?
Getting the right hue to complement a a purple dress is a difficult task. “Sometime back, Koena Mitra paired her bright green dress with purple tights and it was a big fashion faux pas,” says Dutta.

He adds,“Avoid wearing two bright colours together. Wear purple tights with coral pinks, beige or dull gold.” Designer Rohit Gandhi says, “Mixing any bright colour with purple can be a style disaster. Koena’s green dress with purple tights is a major fashion blunder.”

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Purple simplified suit it: Pair a feminine purple top or camisole under a tailored suit for that subtle contrast. The suit can be of any shade, ranging from lilac to a deep reddish-purple with a black, grey or charcoal.

Fun accessories: Use purple very subtly when it comes to accessories. Carry a purple handbag or a purple pair of shoes with a black, grey, white or neutral outfit.

Match with skin: Deeper shades of purple with blue undertones add beautiful contrast to a light complexion. If your skin is darker, pastel purples such as lilac can be flattering.

Pair with black: Dark purple takes on a more mysterious tone when paired with black, especially for an evening function.

Get the look in Delhi
4,600
Miss Sixty
Try this bright purple belt with a dark pair of jeans to get that bling look
170 B, DLF Place, Saket

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Team up these purple sandals by Swati Modo with a classy knee-length dress
114 Basement, Shahpur Jat, Near Asiad Village

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Da Milano
The purple bag is a must-have this season
E-12, Connaught Place