What Colour Goes with Lilac and Purple? Wearing Lilac

What colour goes with lilac and purple? White, cream, beige and light grey are the easiest partners, pink and brown add warmth, black adds contrast. If you want to wear lilac, start with a calm neutral and add a second colour only in small doses.

Lilac and purple are colours with a strong character. They often hang alone in the wardrobe because it is unclear what goes with them. Here you will find which colours work with lilac, lavender and deep purple, what goes with green and yellow, and how to build three outfits from it.

What colour goes with lilac? The basic rule

Lilac is a light, cool purple with a hint of grey and blue. It is a soft colour and likes quiet partners. Deep purple has more weight and can take darker companions.

The simplest rule is one main colour and one or two companions. Lilac is the main colour, the rest stays quiet. That way the colour stands out without making the outfit busy.

• Neutral are white, cream, beige and light grey. They almost always work.
• Warm are pink, brown and camel. They take the sharpness out of the cool tone.
• Contrast comes from black, dark green and yellow. They work best in small doses.

A single piece is enough. One top in lilac with neutral basics is already an outfit with colour. If you wear a patterned piece in purple, keep the rest plain. You will find an overview of more colours in our guide Colour combinations for clothes.

Wearing lilac with white, cream, beige and grey

White. White trousers or a white T-shirt go well with lilac. The result is fresh and clear. If pure white feels too harsh, choose an off-white.

Cream and beige. They are softer than pure white and go well with light lilac. With beige you get a calm, warm picture. Beige trousers, skirts and knitwear are in the beige clothing section.

Grey. Light grey and lilac are both cool and calm each other down. Darker grey gives the outfit more depth. If you prefer it warmer, choose taupe, a shade between grey and brown. How that works is explained in the guide How to wear taupe.

What colour goes with purple? Pink, brown and black

Pink. Purple and pink are related shades. That is why they go together, even in several shades. Light pink with lilac is soft, dusty pink with deep purple is calmer. You will find a selection in the pink jumpers.

Brown. Brown and purple are an underrated combination. Chocolate brown, camel and cognac ground the cool colour. Light brown goes especially well with lilac. You will find brown pieces in the brown clothing section.

Black. Black gives deep purple seriousness and depth. With light lilac the contrast is strong, so a single black piece is enough, for example trousers. There is more choice in the black clothing section.

Berry shades. Dark purple and burgundy are related. Together they look like autumn. Which colours go with burgundy is shown in the guide How to wear burgundy.

Does lilac go with green and yellow?

Green. Yes. Sage, olive and khaki are muted greens and sit calmly next to lilac. Dark green goes with deep purple. What matters is that both colours are about equally muted. A bright green next to a soft lilac fights for attention.

Yellow. Yellow and purple make a strong contrast. That is why yellow works in small doses, for example with a bag or a scarf. Soft shades such as butter yellow are easier to wear than lemon yellow. You will find ideas in the guide How to wear butter yellow.

Wearing lavender: what is different from lilac?

Lavender is usually a little bluer and greyer than lilac. Lilac, on the other hand, has a hint of pink. The partners are almost the same, the emphasis is slightly different.

• Lavender likes cool companions such as white, light grey, silver and light blue denim.
• Lilac also takes warm shades such as pink, cream, beige and light brown.

If you are unsure, stick to white or cream. Both go with every shade of purple. The same applies to jewellery, belt and bag: silver looks cool and clear with lavender, gold makes lilac warmer. Both are possible.

Three outfits with lilac and purple

Light and calm. A lilac blouse with white or cream trousers and beige shoes. You need nothing more. The look works from the office to the weekend.

Warm. A purple top with brown or camel trousers, brown ankle boots and a belt in the same tone. The brown turns the cool purple into a soft autumn outfit.

With pink. A top in lilac, a light pink cardigan over it, white or light grey below. Two related colours and a calm base. If you like it simple, you will find matching combinations in the sets.

Matching items in the shop: Two-piece sets for women and Tops for women.

Frequently asked questions

Does lilac go with beige?

Yes, lilac and beige go well together. Beige softens the cool tone. Cream, white or light brown go with it too.

Can I wear lilac with black?

Yes, with a single black piece. Black trousers or a black jacket give delicate lilac some contrast. Black is easier with deep purple.

Which shoe colour goes with lilac?

Beige, cream, white and light brown go best. Silver shoes look cool and festive with lilac. Black shoes work if the rest of the outfit is dark too.

Do purple and pink go together?

Yes, the two colours are related. What matters is that the shades are similar in lightness. Light pink goes with lilac, dusty pink with darker purple.

What is the difference between lilac and lavender?

Lavender is usually bluer and greyer, lilac has a hint of pink. Both are light, cool purples and can be combined in a similar way.

Does lilac go with green?

Yes, especially with muted green such as sage, olive or khaki. Both colours should be similarly soft, then neither competes with the other.