A Love Affair with Parma-Violet

Since being a little girl, I have been obsessed with all things violet. Parma violet to be precise, that delicate lavender shade of lilac, pastel pretty with just the right amount of mod appeal – prompting OPI to name their latest lilac shade “mod about you”. It is a colour of fairytale transgression rarely seen occurring naturally or otherwise amidst the dull London landscape, making it all the more delicious, a powerful elixir with the ability of reminding us of carefree summers and childhood dreams.

For me, the obsession spans from my addictive overspritzing of Guerlain’s violet-infused ‘Insolence’ to my extensive nailpolish collection (less like a rainbow than a sea of lilac, lilac-y pink and pinky lilac) to this very blog. Maybe you won’t feel the urge to take the purple plunge to such extremes. But you can’t deny that the fashion scene has undergone a fresh lick of lilac lately, with Topshop leading the way on the high street with a sugared-almond summer collection including surprisingly wearable lilac body con minis and corset tops. Personally I’ve got my fingers crossed that a shiny new pair of lilac summer brogues will be stocking the shelves shortly…pretty please, Topshop?

In the designer spectrum, I defy any girl not to instantly fall in love with Burberry Prosrum’s lilac silk trench coat, sharply structured enough to create Buberry’s signature sophisticated silhouette, but rounded off gently with soft puff shoulder detail which keep the look young and fresh. No, its not a wardrobe necessity. No, lilac is never going to be the new black for more than a season. So no, maybe you cant warrant the £1,695 price tag. But I still want what Emma Watson’s got.

The Lilac Lust-List

1. Kurt Geiger ‘Emiline’ Court Shoes, £150 (kurtgeiger.com)

Formed in the trademark Kurt Geiger platform stiletto mould – the only highstreet Loubitan alternative acceptable for any discerning shoe-snob – these are luxuriously unusual and classic all at the same time. The lilac is hardened with a masculine edge through the metallic detail on the heel, transforming these shoes from dolly-girl-sweet to city-girl-chic.

2. Won Hundred Lilac Straight-leg jeans (£95 from asos.com)

Lilac jeans should be approached with caution. Pale denim has a tendency to add weight to thighs whereas darker or stonewash denim can create the illusion of a slimmer leg – and you’ve probably heard that a million times. But the rules begin to blur a bit on the consideration of lilac jeans, simply because lilac jeans are not considered a fashion staple, and whether or not they are slimming has probably never before been anyone’s particular concern. The trick with pastel trousers, it seems, is to stick to the straight leg – too skinny, and you risk looking childish. Too wide, and you suddenly begin to recall that pair of faded patchwork pink corduroy flares you owned as a little girl. This pair, designed by Won Hundred, are low-rise and long in length, allowing you to create an elongated line and giving the (advisable) option of wearing with heels. The brand, created by denim specialist Nikolaj Neilson, wins in the style stakes this spring/summer as the fabric is light and stretchy enough to be comfortable whilst avoiding that cheap lycra look. My tip? Pairing lilac with tan or navy has a similar effect to mixing sweet and savoury popcorn – it shouldn’t be right, but once you have tried it it’s the only way to go. Balance, it seems, is the key with lilac, particularly with a statement item like jeans. Keep the top half simple and classic and team with an oversized bag or cardigan – Agnes Deynn often wears shades of lilac, lemon and mint, but you would never associate her with that super annoying, Hannah Montana candy princess look. That, lilac lovers, is not a good look on anyone.

3. Lilac Lips as seen on Chloe Sevigny

If you fancy a bit of lilac in your make-up bag, its easy to reach for the nail polish or experiment with shimmering eyeshadows. But Chloe Sevigny’s lilac-lip made a refreshing ‘Summer’s nearly here!’ statement, worn boldly in daytime, punked up with a leather jacket and tousled hair.

Just as gutsy as a Hollywood red, but subtle enough (if you opt for a gloss rather than a matte look) for daytime, this shade will be big on lips this season. Lilac lipgloss is one of those pick-me-up, feel good products which can look good on anyone. The Body Shop’s ‘Love’ Gloss in Mauve (rrp £10) is a perfect example of a product with enough shimmer and a touch of barely there violet to look gorgeous without being too scary.

So whether you choose to opt for Gaga-esque head to toe purple passion, or a more subtle, slick of gloss and matching nails approach, this Spring/Summer is the time to embrace your inner Romanticism and live life on the lilac side.