Trust Us, This Is The Colour Of The Season

With more than 27 million Google searches for “purple” in the last month, there’s little doubt the colour has dominated the fashion conversation. It may still be a Marmite shade for some but royal purple brings plenty of personality without the predictability of red or pink. It feels bold and luxurious, yet surprisingly easy to wear – particularly as the industry continues to embrace a more maximalist mood.

Purple has always had a certain drama. The last time it felt this prominent was arguably Spring/Summer 2024, when Prada showed bright purple coats and separates alongside its famously experimental styling, while Ralph Lauren brought the shade into polished tailoring. Valentino, Versace and Balenciaga also contributed to the renewed appetite for saturated colour, showing purple across everything from outerwear to glamorous eveningwear.

What makes this revival feel different is the sheer breadth of it. Purple is no longer reserved for a party dress or statement accessory – it’s appearing across coats, leather, tailoring, knitwear and everyday separates. It works particularly well in autumnal fabrics such as wool, suede, velvet and leather, where the depth of the colour feels rich and considered rather than overly bright.

For AW26, Issey Miyake, Mugler and Prabal Gurung are all helping to build the colour story, with saturated purple appearing across clothing and accessories. Michael Rider’s Celine Spring/Summer 2027 collection also made a case for pairing grape purple with warm red – a combination seen elsewhere on the runway and in street style – suggesting the colour has plenty of life beyond this season.

As ever, the high street hasn’t been far behind. Zara, H&M and COS are bringing royal purple into accessible knitwear, trousers, dresses, bags and shoes. If you’re not ready to commit to a purple coat, accessories are the easiest way in. A bag, ballet flat or belt in the shade work particularly well with black, navy, denim and camel.

Yuliia Ryzhkova perfectly balances a purple fine-knit sweater with a black leather miniskirt and a cobalt-blue cummerbund belt. Purple and red are set to be a big colour combo this autumn/winter. Nadiya Lyalko has nailed it with this suede skirt and V-neck jumper. Charlotte Sanders has added purple to her look in the simplest way – with an oversized pashmina.

For maximum impact, try purple tonally, pairing a coat with a slightly lighter knit and deeper trousers. Or embrace the colour clash. Red makes for a particularly striking combination, while grey, chocolate brown and olive take things in a more understated direction. Cream keeps purple feeling crisp and modern, while metallic accessories give it a more evening-ready edge.

Still not convinced? Start small. Even a manicure is enough to test the waters. Purple can feel dramatic but its depth gives it some of the grounding quality of navy. It also works well with autumn textures and has a knack for making even simple outfits feel more considered.