Rules for Wearing a Purple Dress
We’ve come far from the days when royalty would hoard everything purple for themselves and easily throw in jail non-royals who tried to embrace the color of mystery, calmness, and luxury.
Even so, it’s still a color that you’ll find very few people wearing, except for Prince who rocked and sang about it, and a few fictional characters who have also shown a love for purple ensembles. It’s also evident in the fact that the internet forum is loaded with people asking why they rarely see purple clothes. Even the celebrity red carpets, too, are rarely a celebration of purple ensembles.
It’s not a color that’s impossible to pull off. It’s tricky, but not totally impossible. With a few pointers, you’ll see that it’s not only the Marvel witch Agatha or personalities like Zendeya who can rock purple with confidence. Let’s start with the most obvious.
Getting the shade right
Purple encompasses various shades, starting from the deep plum to the softer lavender. Your skin tone, hair color, and personal style will determine what shade will look good and attractive on you.
The lighter, softer shades of purple such as lilac and lavender make sense for people with fair skin tones while richer shades such as plum and magenta suit olive skin tones.
For people with medium skin tones, you can try a wide range of purples from the deep plum to the lighter, softer periwinkle and you won’t be accused of committing deadly fashion sins. Try on different shades to see what looks and feels good on you.
Choosing the right style
The style of your purple dress depends on your personality and the occasion, as we’ve discovered from observing various celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn’s classic cocktail swing evening look, Rihanna’s lilac tulle baby doll look, Zendeya’s skimpy plunging neckline, Jlo’s soft-draping lavender orchid princess style and many more.
A long, flowing purple dress is always a classic choice for a formal event. You can also go with a more fitted silhouette to highlight your curves. For semi formal events, you have various options ranging from knee-length and midi-length frocks to ruffled skirts and fitted bodices with a flowing skirt.
For a casual event, go with a shorter dress or experiment with a combination of a formal piece dressed down with a denim jacket or sandals.
Hair and makeup
Your hair and makeup can make or break your look. You always want a polished look for a formal event. Pair your purple dress with a classic bun or ponytail and refined makeup consisting of smoky eyes, bold lips, and soft, rosy blush cheeks. The same is true for bold purple dresses, you want to keep things simple.
Try wearing your hair down in waves or curls. However, go with light makeup for a casual occasion. Keep things natural with soft lavender or taupe eyeshadow, a bit of mascara, and tinted lip balm or soft pink lipstick.
Choosing the right shoes
The type of shoes can break or make your purple ensemble. To dress up your purple dress, look for heels. If you are wearing a long dress, just make sure the heels are high enough to show from under the hem. For knee-length or midi-length frocks, keep things casual with flats or sandals
Accessorizing for the occasion
Accompany your look with the right accessories such as silver or gold jewelry or pearls in complementary colors as green or amethyst to show beauty and elegance. Complete the look with a clutch or crossbody bag for a formal event and a tote or backpack for a casual outing.
Lastly, match your choice of bold color with a dose of confidence. Remember, people can always tell if you are comfortable with what you are wearing so keep your chin up and rock your purple dress!
Okay ladies, purple is a tricky color to pull off but with these tips, you are ready to throw on an ensemble that will reveal your creativity and sense of mystery. We have a collection of purple dresses in various styles that you can take a look at and find whatever suits your fancy. Feel free to let us know what you like, and we’ll be happy to get it for you.
