Categories: General fashion

Then I shall wear purple

WHEN I AM AN OLD WOMAN I SHALL WEAR PURPLE

With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other people’s gardens

And learn to spit

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Taken from the book

When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

Editd by Sandra Martz

Papier Mache Press–Watsonville, California 1987

I am sure many of you will be familiar with this poem, I still find it amusing and it came to mind as I started to write this post on “shall we be wearing purple this Autumn?” Various shades appeared in a number of the runway shows. As it is not a colour that I have worn for many years it does not currently feature in my wardrobe, except maybe the odd scarf. Will I be indulging, not sure yet I will have to try a few pieces on. From memory only the lighter shades suit me as I have fair colouring, the darker shades are best worn by the brunettes amongst us.

Tilda Swinton looking gorgeous in purple

Alberta Ferretti

Christian Dior

Roksanda Illinac

Prada

Shall we wear purle by chicatanyage featuring black flats

Shall we wear purple by chicatanyage featuring wool pants

Shall we wear purple by chicatanyage featuring a long sleeve lace dress

Shall we wear purple by chicatanyage featuring tods loafers

PS There was a very interesting article in last Saturday’s Financial Times about Luxury brands waking up to the power of older women. Well worth a read here Saturday FT link to article

Thank you for reading. I really love to hear from you and appreciate the time you take to leave comments.

Fashion and Style, Beauty tips, Lifestyle

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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View Comments

Catherine says:

3rd September 2012 at 16:53

The secret to purple is know which shade suits. There are blue purples for the fair skinned or reddish purples for darker or sallow skinned. Also I think ALL purples look better with co-ordinating dark brown and not black. On the whole black does not go with many bright colours yet it seems to be the default colour choice for so many of us.... Purple can also look stunning with scarlet or bright orange!
Chicatanyage says:

3rd September 2012 at 17:01

Good point Catherine. I also think it goes well with navy and grey.
Catherine says:

3rd September 2012 at 17:32

P.S. Forgot to say... love the poem and look forward to following its guidelines!
sanda says:

3rd September 2012 at 19:10

I think the secret to wearing purple is limiting it: the photo of black pants, gray top and purple appeals to me the most. Love the poem. You know, I'm sure, that "The Red Hat Society" was formed after being inspired by the poem
Caroline says:

5th September 2012 at 08:49

Oh now I understand all!?
Tamera Beardsley says:

7th September 2012 at 20:04

Ooh...this post has me craving some rich purple shades right about now...it has been sadly absent from my wardrobe for years...I do remember in high school being so infatuated with the color that I literally dyed my entire wardrobe a shade of purple..right down to my undies.

I so appreciate your chic and stylish picks...
West Coast Boomer says:

9th September 2012 at 10:02

I really like this posting about Purple. However I find it humorous that you commented about Purple for the "Dark haired" and the first pix is of Tilda...who certainly could not be more fair skinned!

I love & wear purple=as an aging redhead. Makes me look ( in my mind at least) Queenly! TY for the time you spend on this blog to make it ever so interesting.
Chicatanyage says:

9th September 2012 at 15:32

Hi West Coast Boomer
Tilda looks to me like a warm blond, not ashy toned. Possibly a slightly lighter shade might have been better however I think she just manages to carry off the bright tone she is wearing.
Purple with red hear can look absolutely stunning, lucky you.