Purple in Men's Fashion

Color Spotlight: Purple - How to Add Purple Accents Into Your Wardrobe

When it comes to misunderstood colors in men’s fashion, purple finds itself up towards the top of the list. Loud, attention-grabbing and a high potential for clashing, it’s no wonder why so many men are afraid to incorporate purple into their ensembles. Purple is associated with passion, mystery and even royalty, however, and can be very effective when it comes to bringing an outfit to the next level. While purple is typically most effective when used as an accent color (think ties and pocket squares), this is not to say that it can’t become the main event in the right situation. The following are just three ways to incorporate purple into your wardrobe, all of which can result in an ensemble that turns heads for all the right reasons.

A Word on Shades of Purple
The most important thing to understand when trying to incorporate purple into an ensemble is that there are a variety of different shades to choose from, each of which will add its own unique look and feel to an outfit. If you recently helped plan a wedding that picked a shade of purple as a color theme, then you will know exactly what we mean by different shades of purple. (To help find exact matching ties we created our Wedding Ties section). Lilac, for example, is light and airy; a perfect addition to any spring ensemble. That said, eggplant and other dark shades of purple can be smothering unless used carefully, yet serve as ideal accent colors for the dark days of winter. Always take shade into consideration before putting together an outfit, as it can make or break the results.

Purple Ties
For those who are trying to inject a bit of color into an otherwise neutral ensemble, the tie is one of the most effective accessories one could ever choose to wear. While a lot of guys view ties as being restricted to formal situations, the fact is that there are plenty of ways to wear them casually; especially purple ties. A solid purple tie can look great when worn as part of a suit, while patterned purple ties can take a casual ensemble think (blazer, jeans and crisp button-down) to a whole different place. A word of advice when choosing a purple tie; those with metallic overtones are much harder to pair than more subtle, matte-finished ties, and should thus be approached carefully if you plan on wearing them as part of an outfit. Also, keep in mind that lighter shades are typically better for summer while darker purples are best for fall and winter.

Purple Pocket Squares
While purple ties can certainly be effective, they’re best worn every once in a while rather than on a regular basis. If you’d like to still add a bit of purple to your ensemble, however, you might want to consider a purple pocket square. Still too much color? Then pick a patterned pocket square that only uses purple as an accent color, such as this Navy Handkerchief with Checks. These are best worn with charcoal or dark-grey suits, and should always be augmented by a tie of another color; believe it not, a yellow tie can actually add quite a bit of pop when paired with a purple pocket square. As with anything else, experimentation is key to finding the color combination that works best for you.

Purple Dress Shirts
While purple ties can certainly add a nice colorful accent to an outfit, some people would prefer to incorporate a bit more of this color into their look. Purple dress shirts are ideal for those who want to highlight the color rather than use it as an accent, and look great when paired with neutrals. A crisp, lilac-tinted button up (both patterned and solid are great) can look fantastic when paired with a black belt and charcoal trousers, and serves as the perfect base for a business-casual outfit. Stick to dress shirts that utilize lighter purples for best results, as those which are too dark can appear somewhat smothering.

Your Bows-n-Ties.com Team