Millennial pink, it’s time to step to one side because there’s a new tone trending in town: lovely lilac.
Declared by Pantone as 2018’s Colour of the Year, ultraviolet is set to be absolutely everywhere this season. A shade beloved by mystics and royals alike – check out HRH The Queen Elizabeth II who often represents in purple tones for the latter – Executive Director of the Pantone Colour institute, Leatrice Eiseman writes that the colour, “takes our awareness and potential to a higher level…Ultra Violet lights the way of what is yet to come.’
Magical spiritual superpowers aside, it’s remarkably versatile; working equally well as a slouchy oversized streetwear a la the hoodie from London fashion’s current darling Martine Rose, or in the form of a cropped 00s-looking t-shirt from Acne. It can also be translated into something altogether more evening like the dazling lilac dress from vintage loving label The Vampire’s Wife, or Christopher Kane’s super-shiny pleated lame midi-skirt.
And because The Devil Wears Prada didn’t get absolutely everything wrong (just most things) head to YouTube and replay Miranda Priestly’s famous Cerulean Blue speech. Merely replace blue with the colour purple and bask in the money-saving knowledge that, thanks to incredibly fast fashion, the trend has already trickled its way down to the high street with Zara and its big sister brand Mango both flooded with lilacs.
If you’re a bit too nervous to go for a full on purple look, try dipping a toe in the trend with soft suede shoes from the likes of cult footwear brand Dorateymur. While makeup maestros Mac have released a perfectly purple makeup kit with Nicola Formichetti’s lifestyle brand Nicopanda.
Whichever way you wear it, one thing’s for certain: the future’s bright, the future is purple.
Shop our purple picks for S/S'18 in the gallery below...
Purple SS18 - Grazia
1 of 20Logo-print oversized hooded cotton sweatshirt by Martine Rose, £365
Launching her eponymous label in 2007, Martine Rose's star shows no sign of being on the wane. Celebrate raw London talent by splashing her name across your chest with this perfectly oversized hoodie.
2 of 20Vivki twisted two-tone dress by Sies Marjan, £1130
The brains behind Sies Marjan, Bahrain-born designer Sander Lak, has a knack for taking sickly sorbet shades and spinning them into something super sophisticated, like this dreamy dress.
3 of 20Dorthe shearling-trimmed leather jacket by Saks Potts, £765
Similarly maximalist in their approach, designer-duo Saks Potts are a highlight of Copenhagen Fashion Week alongside Grazia favourites, Ganni.
4 of 20Asymmetric Polo Shirt by Zara, £39.99
Clean lines and an unfussy silhouette, this top is a classic Zara spin on ladylike lilac.
5 of 20Caron high-rise wide-leg cropped jeans by M.i.h Jeans, £215
With their super-flattering high waist and cropped ankle, these jeans have more than a touch of off-duty Betty Draper about them.
6 of 20Lilac Suede Harput II 25 Loafers by Dorateymur, £330
Blue suede shoes are so over, Elvis. This season it's all about soft shades of lilac suede, especially when they're by fash-pack faves Dorateymur .
7 of 20DNA pleated silk-blend lamé midi skirt by Christopher Kane, £845
Team with a sweatshirt to take this skirt from dancefloor all the way through to brunch the next day.
8 of 20Pointelle-knit top by Joseph, £115
'Summer knit' might sound like an oxymoron but this lovely lilac number from Joseph will convince you of their sartorial powers.
9 of 20Stone bead earrings by Mango, £15.99
Mixed material earrings are big news this season, get them in lilac and tackle two trends at once.
10 of 20Wool sweater with lettering on the back by Sandro, £239
This punchy purple sweater comes complete with '50s-esque font scrawled across the back. Happy days, indeed.
11 of 20Handmade Premium Acetate Kitten Club Sunglasses by Topshop, £40
Pick up some purple in one of the most universally flattering shapes for sunnies.
12 of 20Maldives Swimsuit by Paper London, £195
Swimsuits are set to completely lap bikinis as this season's swimwear of choice, pick up a purple one to really flaunt your sartorial clout.
13 of 20Darley grained leather wallet-on-chain by Mulberry, £550
With space for a phone, lipstick and not a lot else, this cute bag will stop you from schlepping everything but the kitchen sink around with you.
14 of 20Lilac Metallic Chiffon Mini Festival Dress by The Vampire's Wife, £875
This superlatively pretty dress from The Vampire's Wife is the kind of thing that you'll pass down the generations to your granddaughter's granddaughter. Presuming she has good taste, that is.
15 of 20Preppy Panda Full Face Kit by Mac x Nicopanda, £35
Mac are back with another killer collaboration. This one, with Japanese Italian designer Nicola Formichetti's lifestyle brand Nicopanda has packaging as pretty as the makeup within.
16 of 20Gathered Silk Midi Dress by Pushbutton, £595
Deceptively versatile, this dress looks just as good over jeans as it does on its own.
17 of 20Aubrey cross-strap and metallic-heeled leather mules by Kurt Geiger, £129
These disco ready sandals are a smart way to elevate your favourite scruffy jeans and t-shirt combo.
18 of 20Checked Round Neck Half Sleeve Jumper by Marks & Spencer, £29.50
Gingham and lilac, good ol' M&S have hit the nail on the sartorial head with this sweet summer sweater.
19 of 20Airy Socks by H&M, £6.99
Ease your way into the lilac trend with this pair of perfectly purple sheer socks.
20 of 20Logo Print Boxy Cropped T Shirt by Acne Studios, £150
The rose end of the lilac spectrum, this cropped T-shirt from Scandi label Acne is the perfect shape to tuck into high-waisted jeans.