Delivering a speech at The Design Museum in London today, Princess Catherine (aka Kate Middleton) styled the trending colour that’s completely dividing millennials and Gen Zs this season.
Dubbed “Gen Z purple”, the striking violet shade has become to go-to colour choice for Gen Z directed marketing—cropping up in adverts and on packaging directed towards the younger audience for the past few years. Usurping the once prolific “millennial pink” as the favoured colour amongst marketeers, Gen Z purple has transcended the marketing sphere as the new colour trend that the fashion set is embracing this season. Millennials on the other hand? They seem to have different opinions on the colour purple, as our Slack group this morning attests. All of our editors who fall into the millennial category said this was, and I quote, “their worst colour”. “It reminds me of my school uniform, so I’ll never wear it’, proclaimed social media editor, Joy Ejaria. “I’m sure the bedding from my teens was this exact shade of purple”, chimed deputy editor, Maxine Eggenberger.
Styling the divisive tone for her outing in London, The Princess of Wales re-wore her favourite purple Emilia Wickstead suit. Previously styled with a black turtleneck to an engagement to Northern Ireland in 2021, on this occasion The Princess wore the now sold-out suit set without a visible blouse underneath and with royal blue court shoes. Declared Pantone’s colour of the year in 2022, the purple hued shade “Very Peri” is loved by some for its fresh, vibrant shade, and deemed “unforgiving” by others who are unfamiliar with styling the tone. Though undeniably eye-catching, the cool purple shade is easier to wear than you might imagine. Whilst The Princess paired hers with a royal blue court shoe, the colour looks vibrant when paired with red, and bright and fresh when styled with white or beige. If you’re interested in experimenting with the trending shade, read on to shop The Princesses outfit, as well as our favourite Gen Z purple shopping picks below.
Shop Reiss’s deep purple long-line blazer to replicate The Princess’s look.
Style with tall court shoes or wear with white trainers.
A pair of classic court shoes are a wardrobe necessity for its outfit elevating qualities.
Lilac purple is more flattering than you might imagine. Style the trending shade with neutral tones for an easy and wearable look.
A sleeveless dress is a party-season no-brainer.
As winter weather sets in, cosy up in a deep purple knit.
Wear this sporty jumper with wide leg trousers or cargo pants for an effortless edge.
Wear with a fresh white tee or try a tonal look an dpair with a deep purple jumper.
Wear with embellished jeans for an easy, party ready look.
Cosy into a lilac knit this winter.
Wear with the matching trousers or style with a black wide leg style.
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