Pantone call it Sparkling Grape, I call it purple. No matter, it’s the same shade, and we’re in for a bit of a treat next season, because they are predicting a purple comeback. This shade definitely fell out of favour for a long time, but it has been bubbling just under the surface for the last two or three years, with the introduction of little cousin, Periwinkle (Very Peri). 

Of course longtime readers here will know that purple is a very special color, because it suits everyone (ok, you may not like it, but that’s a different story…!). 

Softs (Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis) will look better in a fabric that absorbs color – wool and jersey are perfect. Conversely, Clears (Courtney Cox) will look amazing when the fabric bounces the light such as this one. Satin is definitely your friend! Purple is light enough to allow Lights (Cate Blanchett) to wear it from top to toe if they so wish, and deep enough for Deeps (Michelle Obama, Catherine Zeta Jones) also. And although Warms (Julianne Moore) and Cools (Dame Judi Dench) are the polar opposites when it comes to color, True Purple is neither Warm nor Cool, so it looks fabulous on both