STYLING

ROYAL PURPLE IS THE COLOUR OF THE SEASON: HERE'S HOW TO STYLE IT

By Sarah Waldron, 26 October 2026

There are few colours with a history as storied as royal purple – I mean, the clue is in the name. The symbolic shade of kings and queens everywhere for literally thousands of years, it’s still shorthand for ‘luxury’ today. So much so that it took over the AW26 runways, from Celine’s trench coats and bags to Loewe’s sculptural knit dresses. Area! Ferragamo! Versace! It would take less time to list the labels that didn’t get involved. In short: royal purple looks expensive. Here are a few ideas on how to style your purple dresses, tops and co-ords.

#1: PLAY WITH UNEXPECTED COLOUR COMBINATIONS

Collale of model wearing army green cargo shorts and purple sequin camisole| ASOS Style Feed

If variety is the spice of life, the unexpected colour pairing is what transforms a potentially bland look into an inspiring one. And if, like me, you suffer from choice paralysis, you may struggle with choosing just one. Royal purple is the friend who gets on with everyone, so it could easily be paired with any shade, but these army-green cargo-style trousers offer a subtle contrast that feels super wearable. The high-low formula adds to this contrast, too – just add mules and you’re ready for almost any invite.

GET THE LOOK:
01. ASOS DESIGN layered sequin square neck cami, £35
02. NA-KD Suede mules in beige, £65.95
03. ASOS DESIGN pack of 3 resin bangles in amber and brown, £16

04. ASOS DESIGN trouser with adjustable hem detail in washed khaki, £36

#2: STYLE IT WITH ANIMAL PRINT

collage of woman wearing a purple dress with black accessories

There are very few animal prints that don’t play nicely with this particular shade of purple, from the graphic black and white of zebra to the soft, dotty browns of deer. Leopard, however, is a classic you'll reach for over and over. A pairing doesn’t get more regal than this, so lean into it with refined styles like Topshop’s longline coat. Aside from the colour combination, the real trick to nailing this is in the proportions. Make sure your dress isn’t longer than the coat, and if you’re wearing boots, the hem should drape a few inches over them. The look is already high-impact, so keep your accessories classic and pared-back.

GET THE LOOK:

01. Desigual Midi flocked dress in purple, £119
02. SEQWL refined wedge knee boots in black, £42
03. ASOS DESIGN minimal 90s shoulder bag in black, £20

04: Topshop longline formal coat in animal print, £95

#3: GROUND AN ALL-PURPLE LOOK WITH BROWN

Collage of women wearing a purple sweatshirt and purple joggers| ASOS Style Feed

Anyone who’s ever rifled through a tin of Christmas sweets will know that 1: the purple ones are the best, and 2: royal purple and chocolate brown are a match made in colour heaven. One is vibrant, the other is muted. Together, they create a rich, rewarding sartorial experience. Take this ASOS DESIGN co-ord, for example – perfect for a lazy day. If said lazy day takes you to the corner shop for supplies, you can ground the look with a neutral brown scarf. A regular knit works, but why not inject a little glam into your everyday errands with a faux-fur style? You could easily go dressy with point-toe mules, but it’s just as appropriate with PUMA's brown suede trainers.

GET THE LOOK:

01. ASOS DESIGN oversized sweatshirt co-ord in purple, £30

02. ASOS DESIGN wide leg sweat jogger co-ord in purple, £32

03. Puma Bella Mina suede trainers in all brown, £85

04. ASOS DESIGN pelted faux fur scarf in chocolate, £34

#4: JUST ADD A SHOT OF PURPLE

Collage of purple bags and shoes| ASOS Style Feed

Pictures: ASOS

The phrase ‘a little goes a long way’ could easily have been written about royal purple. It’s so vivid that a carefully chosen shoe or bag can elevate a neutral outfit into something unforgettable. You can also go big on the embellishments when it comes to shoes and bags, safe in the knowledge that it won’t overpower the rest of your look. Case in point: these crystal-fringed mules above – they'll make your favourite trousers pop, as will the hair-on ballet flats. Meanwhile, Laagam’s shoulder bag will sit well over a black leather jacket, while ASOS DESIGN’s satin style is pretty much guaranteed to shine against your favourite LBD.

GET THE LOOK:

01. ASOS DESIGN satin small shoulder bag in purple, £22

02. ASOS DESIGN Lilibelle premium hair on real leather ballets in purple, £42

03. ASOS DESIGN Prism embellished stiletto high heeled mules in purple, £45

04. Laagam jane suede shoulder bag in aubergine purple, £205