There are certain colours that are an obvious combination – blue and orange, blue and red, red and black to name a few.
Then, there are colours that don’t immediately spring to mind to wear together.
I think red and purple are such a pairing, probably because they sit next to each other on the colour wheel, with red being the dominant of the two (because red and blue make purple). However, match the tone of each right and you’ll have the growing realisation that
‘Hang on a minute, they look rather spiffy when paired. Why haven’t I worn these colours more often together?‘
And BOOM, you’ll just never want to separate them again! They can bring out the best in each other.
‘Very true’, I hear you say as you nod in agreement. ‘They do bring out the best in each other, but ahhhhh, Petite Vix, what about the polka dots you mentioned? I can’t see any polka dots?’
Don’t think I’ve forgotten about them!
Here’s a sneaky peak for you. Perfect, black and red polka dots, as promised.
‘Now come on, stop playing with your readers and show them properly!!!’, says small voice of reason. Ok, ok, I’ll stop teasing.
When planning this challenge I always knew, come Spring, my grey polka dot jumper would be paired with my red jeans for one of the weeks. You saw it before, when I wore it in my Polka Dots & Stripes post.
The polka dots are enough of a eye-catching design that the jumper holds its own, without needing to over egg any outfit it stars in. But like all good comedies or dramas, the lead should be ably surrounded by a cast of supporting players. On its previous outing on the blog, they were a red beret, red gloves and a cobalt blue bag.
This time around, my star was going to have a lead of equal stature and I instinctively pulled my purple scarf, from my ever growing scarf pile.
The purple looks wonderful with the red jeans, whilst lifting the jumper to even more giddy heights. The red and the polka dots now have something to play against. The repartee is fairly zinging back and forth!
Sometimes a third piece like a scarf or a piece of jewellery can be the pièce de résistance to an outfit.
The purple and red and the purple and polka dots make such a great pairings that really nothing else is needed. I just let these two bold colours take centre stage, with quiet support from black accessories.
But how to create a similar look, even without a polka dot piece? Easy.
– Use a another geometric or repeat pattern such as stripes, grids, hearts.
– Switch over which piece is the pattern. A patterned scarf in purple against a plain grey jumper would look equally fun and vibrant.
– a red skirt instead of jeans.
– a black and white polka dot skirt with a red top and a purple scarf or necklace.
Dorothy Perkins Red Skinny Jeans
Wallis Petite Leather Jacket
TKMaxx Cashmere Red & Black Polkadot Jumper (old) Red, Cream & Black Polka Dot Cardigan.
Or Woolovers Merino Two tone Grey Polka dot cardigan plus other colourways.
Purple Scarf (old) from a French market
Joythestore Fringe bag A/W15
Marks&Spencer Boots (old)
Purple & Polka dot Footnote
A simple, casual outfit of jumper and jeans can easily be upgraded with unexpected colour combinations. Just make sure the saturation of each colour is equal. Even if the jumper was plain grey, the addition of the purple scarf would still pack a punch.
But I think there’s something special about the polka dots!
Do you like mixing colours that at first glance don’t seem to be an obvious pairing?
You can find out more about my Seasonal Skinny Style Challenge here.
Linking with Fashion Should be Fun /Fabulous Friday /
I love purple and red together as well. The Red Hat Society ladies of course turned this into a trend.
You look like you might be having our spring, still quite cool when you're wearing a sweater and a scarf.
bisous
Suzanne
I'd never heard of the Red Hat Society – I had to look them up!
Spring as usual in the UK is yo-yo-ing all over the place – par for the course over here. Some days it's gorgeous, other days it's get out the jumpers!
love red and purple and love how you rock this fab color combo!, that polka dot jumper is a pretty cute piece, and it works nicely with your red skinnies!
and love that purple unexpected touch of color in your scarf, fabulous!
besos
Thank you, the purple really is the finishing touch. I'm having alot of fun pairing colours at the moment!
Like Suzanne said—red & purple always bring to mind the Red Hat Society—so I probably tend to veer away from the combo. But I think you combine it rather perfectly with the other neutrals kicking in to make it more palatable!!
Love this!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
It's funny how associations of colours can put us off from wearing them. I love red and purple together but yes, it can be over done which is why just a purple scarf against the grey is enough to work with the red. Can I expect red and purple on you, your Mum and Nancy, soon???
Love the addition of the purple! I agree these colors look wonderful together!
Thanks Laura. I think the purple would be an unexpected twist for most people.
I wouldn't have thought of red and purple,and the colour wheel is a great idea for colour combinations. I really like the two colours together.
I've really started to use it as a guide for inspiration. It's another useful tool to get me looking at colour with fresh eyes.
I wouldn't have thought of red and purple,and the colour wheel is a great idea for colour combinations. I really like the two colours together.
It's how you wear it and you have a knack of harmonising colours and patterns that supposedly don't go together. I think the red and purple looks great. I have a blue and green spotted jumper – again two colours that apparently 'don't go well together' but is a beautiful combination. Love your red jeans, think I might have said that before in another comment, but worth repeating as they look great!
By the way, if my son walks in the room when I am reading your blog, he always says 'that lady looks just like you mum' – so there we are – twinnies! 🙂 x
Such a lovely compliment, Astrid. Thank you. Yes, agreed – green and blue is another supposed no no. Ridiculous really, isn't it? As you say, it's beautiful together. Just look at nature for one thing.
Ha, ha, that's a sweet thing your son said!
I adore your sweater! Great color combination here, and black makes everything a bit edgy – fantastic look!
Thank you Natalia. I do love polka dots!
I think red and purple look wonderful together, but tend to shy away from them because of the Red Hat Society here. I truly enjoyed seeing how this look transitioned from super cool and chic to super cute and fun. Love it! Also, your polka dot sweater always makes me smile. 🙂
Ha, ha, yes you're right, there was a transition! Under the super cool and chic was some serious cute and fun! I'm chuffed my sweater makes you smile. Clothes should do that, shouldn't they?
Great color combo and love that whimsical polka dot sweater. Where do you live again? Sweaters still?!
Thanks for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday & hope to see you back this week!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
I know, but Dawn this is the UK remember!!! May is a month that's always travelling up and down the thermometer. Even in June too! I always keep light sweaters on standby as you never know when you're going to need them!
You make some great points about the colors theory and I agree with you. That jumper/sweater is truly gorgeous. Love the large vibrant polka dots and it looks great with the deep red and splash of lavender. In love with that quilted moto jacket, too.
Please, do stop by this week and every Thursday and linkup your latest couple of looks with me. My readers would love your style as much as I do. Thank you and enjoy the weekend!
http://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2016/05/thursday-moda-12-and-little-black-dress.html
Great post
xx
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/