The Ultra-Rich Color Trend That Is Chocolate Brown's Close Cousin
If you've spent any time scrolling through social media recently, it's hard to deny that there are some shades that everyone's into at the moment. Burgundy? It's blown up. Dove gray? It's the new neutral. Olive green? It's basically the embodiment of fall. While I'd consider myself a fan of each of these colors, I'll confess that I've reached the point where they've begun to feel oversaturated to me. Maybe it's a hazard of the occupation. While I understand these shades are still great investments for the season, the idea of showing up in the same color as everyone else sends shivers down my spine. Luckily, there's one other color trend that hasn't fully caught on yet that I'm thoroughly convinced will become the next big thing: plum. Given the context of previous color trends, it's perfectly rational to assume plum will follow in the footsteps of its close cousins, chocolate and merlot.
It's worth noting that specific lighting can make this dark purple seem similar to the colors we've seen dominate the runway, but it's distinctly different. Far less vibrant than merlot but still not as dark as chocolate brown, the plum color trend is a particularly moody version of purple that has largely been pushed to the side—until now. Across recent collections, we saw this shade surface as decadent variations of eggplant, violet, mulberry, and even dark fig. Unlike lilac and lavender, this shade of purple is compelling to adopt right now because it's closely related to other winter shades we've all come to love while still being cool enough for those of us who want to wear a color that hasn't been spotted everywhere. Admittedly, my initial desire was to gatekeep this color trend, but I've decided to do my duty as an editor and prove why this color is poised to become the next big thing.
Ahead, you'll find examples of how to style the plum color trend based on its presence in the fall/winter 2024 and spring/summer 2025 collections. Plus, I've rounded up some of the best purple pieces for the season at every price point. Consider this your sign: You can still look sophisticated without wearing the same shades as everyone else.
Everything about this crossbody bag is effortlessly chic, from the curved shape to the subtle hardware to the color.
The sharp edges on this shoulder bag are so sophisticated.
I am not going to lie; these leather trousers sold me on this color trend.
The easiest way to make your work wardrobe feel more polished is with this patent-leather pencil skirt.
Just when I thought I couldn't love the Andiamo bag more, Bottega Veneta released this version.
The twisted handle? The hardware? The color? Perfection all around.
Please stop scrolling for a second to admire the super-sophisticated hourglass silhouette on this skirt.
You'll be the best dressed guest at that winter wedding in this cocktail dress.
I'll be spending the next three to five business days thinking about this bag.
You can style these cargo pants with a cropped T-shirt and cool kicks or a boxy blazer and ankle boots.
The asymmetric neckline on this satin gown has me swooning.
Have you ever seen a more stunning slip dress? I'll wait.
Gawking over this gorgeous leather dress.
These slingbacks are some of the best shoes in my collection, hands down.
With suede trending for the season, there's no safer investment than this shoulder bag.
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a fashion editor living in New York City. What began as a hobby (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a career dedicated to storytelling through various forms of digital media. She started her career at the print publication 303 Magazine, where she wrote stories, helped produce photo shoots, and planned Denver Fashion Week. After moving to Los Angeles, she worked as MyDomaine's social media editor until she was promoted to work across all of Clique's publications (MyDomaine, Byrdie, andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing ) as the community manager. Over the past few years, Jasmine has worked onBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's editorial team, using her extensive background to champion rising BIPOC designers, weigh in on viral trends, and profile stars such as Janet Mock and Victoria Monét. She is especially interested in exploring how art, fashion, and pop culture intersect online and IRL.
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