Right now, there’s no color more on-trend than deep purple; plums and wines have been spotted everywhere from Blake Lively on the red carpet to Coco Rocha’s lips and nails on the December cover of Vogue Mexico. As a dressed-up version of the purple every Fashionista loves, plum mixes easily with a spectrum of neutrals and demonstrates a high level of confidence with colors. This Fashionista takes her favorite hue even further by mixing in a pattern and letting the bold color take center stage.
Name: Catherine O’Donnell
Major: Anthropology and French
Year: Junior
College Fashionista: What are you wearing?
Catherine O’Donnell: Blazer from Express, skirt from LOFT, a blouse from the Limited and earrings from Charming Charlie.
CF: What was the inspiration for your outfit today?
CO: I had a little bit more time before class this morning, so I wanted to try a new pairing of colors and elements. Plum is one of my favorite shades, so I try to incorporate it into my outfits whenever possible. There's something to be said for dressing up for your day – it's a little bit of a confidence boost that can help, even when homework, papers, and exams are getting you down.
CF: Can you sum up your fashion philosophy in one word?
CO: One word that describes my style would probably be “classic.” I naturally gravitate towards more timeless looks. While I definitely appreciate the new styles, the ones that I like to work into my wardrobe usually fall along classic lines.
CF: Who are your fashion icons?
CO: Reese Witherspoon! She knows how to blend the styles of the day with classic elements — a balance that is hard to strike!
CF: You're going abroad next semester – how do you think that's going to affect your sense of style?
CO: One thing that I'm interested by is how “green” France is with style. As in, it's very much accepted and encouraged to do what we call “recycling” outfits. It seems that here, Fashionistas are encouraged to constantly be sporting a new look. The philosophy in France, however, is that once you find a great look, you stick with it!
CF: It's almost winter, and it's getting pretty cold. What are three items you can't live without in this upcoming season?
CO: I would be lost without boots. That's for sure! Two others would probably be my green peacoat (a once go-to a North Face is no longer warm enough) and my scarves.
CF: How do you change your style for the holidays?
CO: I would say that I tend to incorporate more jewel tones during the holiday season. They seem to be fitting for the mood of Christmas and wintertime.
How To: This winter, consider mixing in wine-colored shades in lieu of the traditional bright reds and greens. Deep purple, plum and burgundy are all dynamic shades that instantly add intrigue to a winter ensemble. Consider even incorporating the shades into your beauty routine; the shades are perfect for lips and nails, as seen from Sephora and in OPI’s new Skyfall collection. To emulate Catherine’s colorblocked look, start with a wine-colored skirt that ranges from burgundy to plum like this wool Tory Burch skirt. Add a neutral top with simple embellishments, like this lace blouse from Dorothy Perkins. Combining textures and accents will subtly enhance your look without detracting from your featured color. Add a cropped black blazer like this one from Theyskens’ Theory for added professionalism and warmth. Complete your outfit with black boots, sheer black tights and gold earrings.
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