PURPLE REIGN
This season, the regal hue is for everyone. Sarah Young explores the controversy around a majestic menswear trend
Perhaps an ode to the late, great Prince, the spring/summer runways were awash with the grandest of hues – purple. A shade that was once synonymous with royalty, power and wealth, purple is officially the reigning colour of the season. And, while it’s certainly a bold menswear move, it almost guarantees to afford its wearer some serious sartorial cred. Up until now, the grand colour has been eschewed by mainstream fare for its gaucheness but on the runway that’s something designers looked to embrace.
The greatest example came from Versace where head-to-toe looks saw sandals, cycling shorts and a billowing floor-length mac in the Tyrian hue. Elsewhere, Hermes collided suit jackets, polo shirts and
knitwear in the royal hue with similarly jarring shades of canary yellow while Balenciaga opted for boxycropped jackets and wide leg trousers in the purple of Roman emperors’ robes.
A tricky colour to pull off as a full look, this is a shade that’s best left to small doses IRL. If you’re new to bold shades completely, start off by introducing the hue to your wardrobe with accessories. By far the easiest way to wear purple, use it sparingly as an accent – think vibrant socks, a jazzy pocket square or a handy backpack.
Alternatively, go all-out and take things up a gear by utilising darker, richer purple shades and pair with neutrals like beige, grey or even midnight blue.
After all, fortune favours the brave, as they say.