How to wear pink and purple?

Hello mes fashionistas,

Today, I invite you to discover some fall-winter outfits that I published on my account Instagram in November and December 2022 as part of the challenge slow fashion #jeshoppedansmondressing which I co-host with my colleague Patricia @nouveaux_regards_. What do they have in common? They consist of a pink or purple piece and this is an opportunity for me to show you how to vary these shades in different ways. What to associate them with? Which harmonies are most effective? Follow the leader !

Read also Three two-tone outfits in pink

Pink and purple

Pink is a red lightened with white; Purple is a secondary color resulting from the mixture of two primary colors, red and blue. Depending on the proportions – and the addition of white, gray or black – the color obtained is more or less cold or warm, intense or softened, light or dark. Due to the presence of red, the pink is considered a warm shade but depending on the shade, it easily switches to the side of cool colors: in the color chart below, bisque, flesh, eggshell, fuchsia, crimson, nacarat, salmon and pink are predominantly warm pinks.

The purplefor its part, is interesting because it contains both cold (blue) and warm (red) pigments but it is visually perceived as a cold color. Pink and purple are versatile, broad-spectrum colors varying in temperature, power and tone, which match all skin tones as long as you choose the right shade.

Read also Which pink to choose according to its colorimetry?

What color to combine them with?

Pink and purple go with everyone the neutrals creating an elegant and risk-free two-tone combination: white, beige, camel, chocolate, gray, black. If you don't like saturated colors, choose light shades to combine with other pastels: sugared pink + baby blue, lilac + pistachio. Analogous harmonies (close or neighboring colors on the color wheel) are to be favored for a sophisticated and refined result: fuchsia + bordeaux, violet + turquoise (or plum + peacock blue).

Those who want a dynamic and communicative outfit will opt for a complementary harmony (two opposite colors on the color wheel): pink + emerald (ou kaki), fuchsia + vert olive, magenta + mustard. Finally, the most daring will dare to wear pink associated with red or orangewhich turns out to be a superb mix despite certain prejudices, just like purple + red (see my article here).

Read also Colors and harmonies: the ultimate guide to combining them with style

1. With gold

My knit top is color Byzantine (code hexa #BD33A4), a predominantly warm shade of light purple (46% red, 40% blue). I paired it with a vintage leopard print jacket and light gold coated canvas slim jeans. The result is peppy because the pieces are both saturated and bright but the neutral metallic champagne color helps to temper the whole. Leopard pumps echo the jacket, balancing the top and bottom of the outfit. The small bag in woven raffia and wooden beads is a vintage gem from the 60s, made in Italy for Galeries Lafayette.

Vintage ALLUMETTE jacket purchased in a thrift store
Top THE MARABOUTÉE FAIRY (collection 2022)
pants PROMOD ( old co)
Vintage bag found at garage sales
Pumps THEY WERE (old co)

2. With leopard

My sweater is color zinzolin (code hexa #6C0277), a shade of deep purple with a slight cold cast (51% blue, 47% red). Clothing of a similar tone gives my outfit a medium-dark finish. To add relief, I mixed subtly different materials, with a matte or satin finish: leather jacket, knitted sweater, silk scarf, cotton pants and real fur bag. Being a colorimetric woman Cold Summerbrown is not ideal to wear close to my face: leopard print scarf of color proved to be an ideal accessory to balance cold and warm.

Leather jacket ANDRÉ ( vintage 1ère main)
Pull ETAM chez EMMAUS ALTERNATIVES
pants MANGO bought in wardrobe clearance
Scarf DVF chez EMMAUS FRANCE
Sac DDP (vintage 1ère main)
Pumps THEY WERE (old co)

3. With black

Here is a good example of a two-tone combination where black – a neutral and achromatic shade par excellence – really highlights the color associated with it. I wear again my top Byzantine in cotton/recycled cotton knit, whose cozy matte finish contrasts nicely with the shiny vinyl of the raincoat. THE play of textures helps liven up an outfit that might otherwise appear visually flat, not forgetting the semi-sheer beaded bag and pastel python pumps. Finally, the chiseled silver drop earrings bring a touch of light to the face.

Raincoat BLUE HAPPINESS chez EMMAUS ALTERNATIVES
Top THE MARABOUTÉE FAIRY (collection 2022)
Vintage jeans at LABEL FRIPE
Handmade earrings from Mozambique
Sac MANGO (old co)
Pumps THEY WERE (old co)

4. With brown

This brightly colored set is actually made up of two mismatched pieces: the vintage short-sleeve jacket is color magenta (code hexa #FF00FF), a shade of pure purple at maximum saturation, composed of red and blue in equal proportions. The pants are color deep pink (code hexa #FF1493), an ultra-saturated, predominantly warm pink shade (60% red, 34% blue). My hazel brown leather jacket – a soft, muted tone borrowed from the autumn palette – tempers the intensity of the look, which I completed with a checkered bag made from coconut wood.

Leather jacket ANDRÉ ( vintage 1ère main)
Vintage pink jacket (unbranded)
CAMAÏEU pants at EMMAUS FRANCE
Vintage belt found at garage sales
Bag found at garage sales
Pumps THEY WERE (old co)

Among the influencers

Here is a small selection of looks in pink and purple worn by my favorite influencers in the last Fashion Weeks.

And you girlzzz, do you like pink and purple? Do you find these colors too girly or “decadent”? Otherwise, what is your favorite look among my four suggestions? Looking forward to speaking with you, I wish you a pleasant weekend.

You can also find me on social media Facebook et Instagramas well as on top Pinterest which offers a selection of my best looks.

See you soon !
Agnes