‘When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.’
Written by poet Jenny Joseph at the age of 29 in 1961, the poem ‘Warning’ went on to spawn ‘The Red Hat Society’, an organisation where women over 50 have fun and which now has thousands of ‘chapters’ all over the world.
Ironically, she did not even like the colour purple and though she lived into her 80s, refused to wear it!
HISTORY
In all its shades of lilac and mauve through to deep purple, it is a colour that people generally love or hate. I had a wonderful deep purple dress and pants suit back in the ’70s, which I wish I had kept as my daughters would love it. But I have not worn purple much in recent years, or if I have I can’t remember!
Purple is most often associated with royalty and high rank and this could be because it is one of the most expensive colours to make due to its rare occurrence in nature.
https://www.history.com/news/why-is-purple-considered-the-color-of-royalty
MY OUTFIT
Purple combines the calm stability of blue and the energy of red. Because it combines a strong warm with a strong cool, it retains both warm and cool properties. I am not particularly fond of lavender and mauve, as they do not suit me, but I do love the bluey-purple of the suit I am wearing below.
The colour makes me feel confident and powerful. I could be a BOSS in this suit, I swear! And the blouse/shirt is so fabulous to wear also and I love the loose pussy-bow. The Clarks shoes are old and also very comfortable.
Marc Cain Purple Skirt Suit 2019
Purple Skirt Suit Marc Cain Autumn/Winter 2019
When I was teaching, I owned several suits and though I love this, I really don’t need it. But MARC CAIN in Malahide allowed me to borrow it for the challenge and I will be wearing it again while modelling in a fashion show next week at Malahide Golf Club. Another chance to feel like a BOSS!
So, let us see how my friends rose to the challenge of ‘Purple Reign’!
EMMA
Emma (whose challenge this is) shopped her wardrobe for this outfit and her fabulous shirt is a charity shop find. You will have to head over to stylesplash to learn more.
JACQUI
Jacqui looks very relaxed in her Next jeans, TK Maxx tee-shirt, snakeskin boots and matching bag. Pop over to mummabstylish to see what Jacqui has been doing.
ANNA
Anna from annasislandstyle (check out her post) looks resplendent in many shades of the colour purple, sitting on rocks in her natural habitat beside the sea.
We always have fun in our monthly challenges and I am often pushed beyond my comfort zone. I hope you enjoy them too. Thank you for reading, as always.
Hilda x
I own a lilac tweed skirt and was doubting to buy a purple sweater for Autumn for the skirt! Now I know I want that! What a stunning suit Hilda and how fabulous that you are modelling!
Thanks Nancy, I love the suit. I might get a skirt and sweater like you.
What a beautiful suit! I love the deep bluey-purple shade, it looks amazing on you.
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
It is the only shade that looks good on me. The mauve and lilac does not suit me.
I don’t have that much purple in my closet, but it’s so gorgeous. I think I need to go shopping!!!
OXOX
Jodie
You would look fab in purple…
I love purple and even wore it on my nails in recent years. You look fabulous in the suit! Good luck in the fashion show. It sounds like fun!
It will be a laugh…
You look marvellous in this Hilda, what a nice opportunity to borrow this suit and lovely to be able to wear it again. Nice challenge in the end eh? Jacqui
Yes I love being challenged…worked perfectly..
Purple is a colour I would find hard to wear. It’s my daughters favourite colour and she wears it often. You’ve all risen to the challenge well and I love the variation of the four of your outfits. xx
Thanks Laurie. It is not a colour I wear often either, but the colour definitely made me feel confident… and the style of the suit.
What a power suit! I love purple but have only 2 purple items in my closet I think! Actually my favorite bathing suit is purple too!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks for commenting. I imagine purple would be lovely in a bathing suit.
Oh how I adore this suit on you Hilda. And how very strong you are to resist its charms. Don’t need, but surely want? Your accessorising is fab too my dear with those shoes being the perfect finish!
Learning to be strong. I don’t get much wear from suits any more….xx
What a fabulous suit Hilda! I have a few lilac pieces but generally stay away from purple. I think I need to give it a try!
There are so many shades that there must be one that will look smashing on you. xx
Well I love purple and you look smashing in it! Like you, I stay away from lavender, its pretty but I look kind of pale when I wear it. I certainly love those shoes, too! Right now, the purple I own is in sweaters… I have a couple different ones, and am looking forward to wearing them later this year.
Actually I would love some purple sweaters…..once it is the right shade….
Hilda,
I love your purple suit and how fun to be in a fashion show!
I only have a few purple pieces and go for the deeper shade of purple than the pale purple which would look washed out on me.
Purple is definitely going to be popular this fall and Emma made a wise style challenge for you ladies!
Hugs,
Robin
Thanks Robin… Yes like you prefer the deep purple… xxx
Hi Hilda!
Loving the style and that suit is fabulous on you! I love the rich deep purple. Of course, with Purple “Reighn” I think “Rain” , the Prince Album I had when I was younger! My dad tossed alot of stuff in the house, and some of my albums were gone… now LPs have made a resurgence!
Those Tbar shoes are very pretty as well, Ive always like that style. I enjoy looking at everyone’s interpretation and love the quirkiness of EMmas shirt.
Have a great weekend!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com