Not Burgundy or Espresso—How to Style the High-Value Color Trend Everyone's Into Instead
Just as the burgundy and espresso color trends are reaching infinitely higher peaks, designers are already conspiring on their successor. Don't get me wrong. I don't see these specific hues going anywhere anytime soon and have begun reclassifying them as staple tones rather than passing trends, but this past fashion month, designers posed a united front on a new It color that is set to take on the role that burgundy and espresso have become known for—to signal a rich outfit vibe.
Meet royal purple, a deep and rich shade of purple that, as the name suggests, is imbued with a sense of royalty, wealth, and status. The history of the color dates all the way back to 1600 BCE when it was worth more than gold because producing it was so expensive. In 2026, however, the people wearing royal purple the most are fashion insiders who are among the first to style the runway trend. The shade popped up all over the recent spring/summer 2026 and even fall/winter 2026 collections at Prada, Celine, Valentino, and Miu Miu, where it was central to many runway looks. Of course, purple is a notoriously tricky color to style, so I've put together a guide to styling it like a true fashion person. Here, discover how to wear royal purple in 2026 with six fail-safe ideas.
Go for a Pop of Purple
With a color this saturated, a singular pop of purple truly does go a long way to make an outfit look forward. Carry a purple bag instead of a black one, or opt for a purple version of a classic shoe style—like these epic Dries Van Noten sneakers—to make the color feel much more approachable.
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Pair It With Dark Denim
If, like many of us, your everyday uniform consists of jeans with an easy top, then take note of how this Kallmeyer model from the spring/summer 2026 runway paired a purple knit top with dark-wash jeans. The colored top will make all your denim outfits look so "now."
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Marry Purple With Red
If you're ahead of the curve, then I know you're not just test-driving royal purple but instead are styling it with something cherry red. This leather Miu Miu look was where the color combo originated, and ever since, fashion people with the most trendsetting style have been tapping into the look and marrying the two bold tones together. There's something about it that seems like it shouldn't work, but somehow, it just does.
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Embrace a Statement Coat
Figuring out how to style a bright color can often feel like it takes all your brainpower, but when you wear a statement piece like a coat or dress that essentially is the outfit, it does all the styling work for you. Just add accessories and call it a day.
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Make One Piece the Focal Point
One trick I love for wearing any kind of out-there color is to pick a colored item and make it the focal point of the look. This works especially well with skirts and tops since you can take the item and wear it with classic staples in all black or all-neutral tones to really let the colored piece grab attention.
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Try an Unexpected Styling Piece
The runways weren't just replete with royal purple. They were specifically filled with funkier styling pieces—bloomers at Prada, leather opera gloves at Balenciaga—showcasing a number of experimental ways to wear the color. Try a pair of purple tights or a purple bra underneath a sheer top that will flex your expert styling skills without breaking your budget.
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