Color and Confidence: PURPLE

Today, I conclude Rainbow Week with the color PURPLE!!

Pants and Blazer:  Ann Taylor

This outfit is an easy day-to-night look.  The simple satiny purple top has a cool keyhole back.  Lose the jacket, and you're ready for Happy Hour or dinner.

Simple jewelry isn't too over-the-top for work, but provides just enough visual interest and bling for an evening out.

Rings:  Torrid (Evil eye ring sold out on-line; Stackable rings available here)

I recently added purple to my shopping list because I realized that I have very little of it in my wardrobe anymore.  After green, it's my second favorite color, and I think it looks good with my greenish eyes.

Blouse:  The Limited (Available here)

Speaking of my eyes, I usually like to play my eyes up with eyeliner, shadows, and lots of mascara.  Last Friday, I woke up late and was in a rush to get to work (Don't you just love those mornings? <eye roll>).  I didn't have time for make-up, so I went au naturel. 

DISCLAIMER:  I added a dab of lip gloss right before these photos, otherwise make-up free
Necklace:  The Limited

While I usually choose to wear make-up to work, I'm also quite content without.  This wasn't always the case though.

For years, I felt the need to wear make-up because I thought I looked too young without it.  In the last few years, I have sometimes felt like I looked older or too tired without make-up.  That said, I have largely learned to see cosmetics as another accessory rather than a necessity.

Purse:  Target (Similar)

Make-up can be fun.  You can enhance your natural assets or even play a character through cosmetics.  If you enjoy playing with make-up, then go for it, but if you feel like you have to wear it, I challenge you to consider where those thoughts come from.

There's so much focus on women's beauty in our culture (and many others) that it can be hard to drown out those messages that tell us our natural features aren't good enough.   Men aren't generally expected or encouraged to mask the lines around their eyes or accentuate the bows of their lips with cosmetics.

If it's okay for men to age with dignity and grace, then why isn't it okay for women to do the same?  Why are women so often told that our natural beauty isn't good enough? 

I could go into the reasons why this happens (patriarchy, capitalism, etc.), but instead I just request that if you feel a need to wear make-up, consider the reasons you personally feel this way and maybe even give yourself a make-up free holiday.  It's not so bad, I promise!!

We are beautiful, with or without make-up. 

Boots:  Target

Now, back to purple - if you're looking for some easy ways to incorporate more purple into your wardrobe, here are some of my past looks for inspiration: 

Try a purple blazer with mustard or beige:

All Hail to Alma Mater!

Leopard and Plum

Grey pairs especially well with purples:

Honorable Mentions

Casual Glam

Purple sweaters can be fun or sophisticated:

All You Need Is Love

Cashmere Cozy

Pair purple with black separates for a shot of color:

Sometimes Simplicity

Date Night Maxi

For the tuxedo pants in other looks, see here, here, and here.

For the tuxedo jacket in other looks, see here and here.