Dress the Rainbow: Purple and Lavender

Continuing with this blog series, today's colors are...purple and lavender! Let's see what spring styles are currently being featured by both brick-and-mortar and online retailers in those colors. 

An elegant sleeveless top can be worn alone or under a jacket, sweater, or sheer long-sleeved top. This shimmery pleated shell ($79 at White House Black Market) in purple is a great basic piece that can pair equally well with dressy pants or a casual skirt. 

A solid color dress with a simple silhouette like this Nine West belted rib midi dress ($50 at Kohl's) in Wesley purple can be dressed up with a scarf or fancy necklace, or dressed down with a pair of comfy slip-on sandals and a light-wash denim jacket. 

Floral prints are great for spring, and darker patterns like this Travelers floral maxi skirt ($30 at Chico's) in purple nightshade are great for transitioning from the darker colors of your winter wardrobe. Pair with a bright blue blouse and darker pumps when the weather is dreary and with a cheerful light green jersey and tan slides when the sun bursts through. 

Go for pastels with the mid rise Sophia straight pant in linen twill - curvy fit ($35 at Ann Taylor) in lavender latte. Pair with a solid-color purple blouse or sweater, or a floral print jersey, and pick up the soft color in a pretty bag, as well. 

This watercolor floral Bloom pintuck sleeve blouse ($35 at Chico's) in midnight violet is dressy and feminine enough to pair with an ivory full skirt or with a casual pair of ivory straight-cut ankle jeans. Pick up the darker shades of green or purple in a cute pair of sandals or slingbacks. 

Toss a sweet Spindrift cardigan ($40 at Appleseed's) in lavender over a casual striped tee with a light neutral skort for everyday wear or over a silky shell with a scarf and a dressy skirt for an evening out. 

For a truly casual look, wear this linen cotton cropped patch pocket jacket ($40 at The Loft) in pure lavender over wide-leg jeans or denim shorts and a simple white tee or embellished tank. Don't forget to finish your look with some fun coordinating slip-on shoes. 

Dress up your office look by combining the Crosby blazer in tweed plaid ($66 at Ann Taylor) in sunset lavender with a pastel camisole and a grey pencil skirt or dress pants, plus a pair of dressy sandals or ballet flats. 

Transitioning from a black or dark brown winter bag to a lighter neutral or pastel-colored handbag, like this Simply Vera Vera Wang Signature mini crossbody bag ($40 at Kohl's) in purple water floral, definitely gives you the feeling of moving into spring. Wear this casual bag to work with the Nine West dress shown above, or to pickleball with a cute purple skort and a graphic tee. 

Beautiful shoes complete any outfit, like this elegant Contesa satin peep-toe D'Orsay mid heel dressy pump ($30 from Nina's Shoes) in royal lilac. Maybe not quite right with jeans, but with dressy ankle pants or wide-leg trousers and a silky blouse, or with a swirly print skirt. 

Now go get your purple on!