Purple Aesthetic

Purple actually refers to a quite wide range of colors between red and blue, which means a purple aesthetic can work well when combining elements of these colors as well as variations on itself at different points in the spectrum. It is very closely associated with the color violet; historically, “violet” was used for redder shades, and “purple” for those with more blue in them.

“If you want to make a statement, wear purple.”

Baron Davis

Purple aesthetic themes and meanings

• integrity and honesty
• dignity
• piety and theology
• mystery and magic
• spirituality and the occult
• tradition
• wisdom
• devotion
• power and royalty
• wealth and luxury
• rarity and artificiality
• individualism
• vanity, pride and extravagance or grandeur
• ambiguity or ambivalence
• mourning
• midnight (or general night time) as well as scenic skyscapes, and space imagery
• popular with occult or pagan-type vibes as well as fantasy (witches, wizards, warlocks etc)
• often associated with lavender fields so crosses into cottagecore or Provençal-style themes too

Purple aesthetic things in nature

More purple aesthetic things

Example shades of purple

Example accent colors for a purple aesthetic

Do you have a purple aesthetic?

Maybe you just love the color purple, are drawn to its rich variation in shades that lets it harmonize or contrast with so many other colors, or like to connect with its historical and symbolic associations of power and nobility that go as far back as the Roman Empires, and beyond.

Purple is less commonly seen as a dominant color in many aesthetics, compared to more popular choices like pink or blue. Leaning into a purple aesthetic can set you apart and help you stand out, highlighting your individuality and more unique sense of style. It’s super versatile, covering everything from deep and rich violet to softer or pastel lilac. It is most often associated with creativity, spirituality, mystery, and luxury, so if these are things that drive you or just resonate strongly with the way you think, a purple aesthetic could be the ideal one for you to embrace.

A short history of purple

The word purple is descended from the old Greek porphura, named after the famous Tyrian purple dye which was so extraordinarily expensive in ancient times that it was associated almost solely by the imperial ruling class; Roman, Byzantine and even Japanese emperors all often wore purple. This history is so strong that purple – especially the darker shades – is still thought of as a rare and royal color today. Roman Catholic bishops still wear purple robes, which may be part of the reason why purple is also related to piety, mystery, and even magic, although if paired with pinks it is seen as more feminine and even erotic. Purple pairs well with a lot of colors – red and blue most obviously, but also green, yellow, and even orange.