Purple Heather

The color purple and I have a complicated relationship. I love purple lipstick and one of my favorite pieces of jewelry is a gold necklace with a big purple stone in the middle. Grape is one of my favorite flavors. One of my best friends, Anna, even put a purple tint in my hair last fall. But DAMN, I look terrible in purple clothing. Or so I thought...

I was browsing in one of my all-time favorite thrift stores on my lunch break last week (Salvation Army in Montgomeryville, PA) and I was about to leave when out of the corner of my eye, I spied something that looked vaguely cape-like. This immediately piqued my interest. I adore capes; I think they are effortlessly chic and make everyone look like a million bucks no matter what you wear with it. When I looked at the tag, I almost fainted: it was by Philosophy di Alberta Feretti! And it was only $4.99?! I recognized the name from my years of flipping through InStyle, Vogue, and Marie Claire, and I knew I had come across something special and it was definitely NOT retailing at five bucks. The only issue? The color.

The cape is a lovely dusty purple color which I thought was so unique and beautiful. However, that little devil on my shoulder said, "Hey, remember how you suck at wearing this color?" I almost left it, but my gut was telling me to at least try it on. I tried it on and looked in the mirror and oh baby, I fell HARD for this little beauty. I was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and jeans that day and if that cape didn't make me look like I belonged in Paris instead of suburban Philly, then I don't know what would. I knew then that it had to come home with me.

Below are some photos that I took after washing it and then wearing it out for the first time. For some reason, I had it in my head that wearing this with black and white stripes would add some mod-inspired realness to the outfit. Black ankle boots and textured tights also kept it fresh and modern. I kept accessories pretty simple (for me, anyway) with some bracelets and earrings. I'll add where I got each item below!

Do you have any favorite items of clothing in a color you thought you could never wear?

DRESS: H&M, $7

CAPE: Philosophy di Alberta Feretti, $4.99 via Salvation Army

TIGHTS: Kohls, $5

BOOTS: Bass outlet, $30

CUFF: faux Chanel $10 at a mall kiosk YEARS ago

SILVER BANGLE: from Puerto Rican jeweler $5

BLACK/SILVER CUFF: Goodwill, $0.90

EARRINGS: Charlotte Russe, $5

LIPSTICK: Milani Brandy Berry

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