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The Princess of Wales is already a fan of 2023’s colour trend—here are her best magenta outfits for style inspiration
The reign of Barbie pink may be coming to an end sooner than you think. Pantone, the world’s colour authority, has announced the Colour of the Year for 2023: Viva Magenta.
The colour, which appears as a purple-tinged crimson on Pantone’s swatch, is a symbol of strength, power and optimism—all qualities that Pantone predicts will define the new year.
At first glance, Viva Magenta may seem like too bold a colour for most of us to pull off, but not if you compare it with Valentino’s Pink PP, a flashy fuchsia that Pantone created for the Italian fashion brand’s trendy fall/winter 2022 collection.
In fact, Pantone calls Viva Magenta a “universally flattering” shade, as it sits right between between blue and red, and warm and cool. And if you needed more convincing to add the colour to your wardrobe, one stylish royal has already proven its versatility: Kate Middleton.
From elegant coat dresses to statement suits, the Princess of Wales has embraced Viva Magenta in more ways than one. For a dose of style inspiration for the year ahead, we highlight her best outfits below.
Don't miss: Kate Middleton Wore Princess Diana’s Favourite Tiara at the State Banquet
The Power Suit
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As Pantone highlighted, Viva Magenta is both “powerful and empowering.” Kate Middleton made the case for that during her and Prince William’s visit to Boston this month, when she stepped out in a perfectly tailored magenta suit by Roland Mouret and matching Gianvito Rossi pumps. The colour worked well with the equally deep hue of Middleton’s sapphire engagement ring (which once belonged to Princess Diana), and it allowed her to dust off her vintage burgundy Chanel handbag from fall/winter 2016 just for the occasion. Given all the dark shades that she was wearing, the princess also made sure to balance her magenta ensemble with a soft pink pussybow blouse—a lovely feminine touch.
Read more: Here’s How Kate Middleton Does Movie Star Glamour on the Red Carpet
Monochrome in Magenta
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For her first official duties as the newly christened Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton chose outfits that emphasised her aristocratic status. Besides wearing Princess Diana’s extravagant diamond tiara to welcome South African president Cyril Ramaphosa during his visit to the United Kingdom, Middleton looked stately in an Emilia Wickstead pleated coat dress in deep plum. Purple was a fitting choice, given the colour’s historic associations with royalty. The regal hue made even more of an impact as Middleton chose the rest of her outfit in a matching shade, from her pillbox hat and Mulberry clutch right down to her Gianvito Rossi pumps.
True Neutral
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Kate Middleton did not sacrifice style even when choosing her maternity ensembles. While pregnant with Prince Louis in 2017, the royal donned a sophisticated tunic dress with an A-line silhouette that allowed her to move freely. True to Pantone’s description of Viva Magenta, the colour of the then-Duchess’s dress worked well with neutrals: Middleton effortlessly finished her look with grey leggings and black suede shoes from Tod’s.
Romantic Lace
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During Chinese president Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United Kingdom in 2015, Kate Middleton showed another side to magenta with one of her most romantic ensembles: a floral lace dress. The same see-through dress in black would have been too daring for the royal to wear, but thanks to its purple hue, as well as its high neckline and long sleeves, Middleton looked smart and sophisticated. For the rest of us who do not need to conform to conservative dress codes, the look is a worthy option for a fancy dinner date.
Tone It Down
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If Viva Magenta is too loud for you, consider grounding it with a darker colour, as Kate Middleton did during a visit to Newcastle in 2012. A master of tonal dressing, the princess paired her bright magenta dress with an aubergine-hued coat that was cinched with an Alexander McQueen belt. The resulting outfit is proof that you can play with colour while looking refined.
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Pameyla Cambe is the Assistant Digital Editor of Tatler Singapore. She handles the Fashion section of the website, where she reports on trends, the hottest fashion launches and what your favourite Asian celebrities are wearing.
