Claire's Pick of the Best Purple A Line Skirts Handpicked by Claire

Purple sits in an odd, useful spot on the colour wheel. It has the depth of navy or black but carries actual mood, so an A line skirt in this shade does something a neutral one can’t: it reads as a choice, not a default. The A line itself earns its place on the rail because the shape is genuinely forgiving without being shapeless, nipped at the waist and flaring gently over the hip, which means it skims rather than clings and moves with the body instead of fighting it. The ones worth having are cut from something with a bit of structure, a cotton twill, a wool blend, a stiffer crepe, because a skirt with no body at all just collapses into a limp rectangle by lunchtime. Soft jersey versions exist but they tend to sit closer to the leg and lose the swing that makes the silhouette worth choosing in the first place.

Shade matters more than people admit.

A near black aubergine or deep plum behaves like a neutral and pairs with almost anything, while a brighter violet or orchid needs a steadier hand and works best kept to one statement per outfit. The length is worth thinking about properly rather than defaulting to whatever’s on the hanger: just above the knee reads sharp and office ready, midi reads considered and slightly formal, and anything shorter tips the whole look younger and more casual.

Styling one is largely about restraint elsewhere. A plain fitted top in white, black, or grey lets the skirt do the talking, while a fine knit tucked in gives the waist definition without adding bulk.

Footwear decides the register entirely: loafers or ankle boots pull it towards daytime and work, a heeled sandal or a slim boot pushes it into evening. Layering with a blazer in a neutral tone is the easiest way to make it feel considered for meetings or events without trying too hard.

Occasion wise, this is a category that flatters transitional moments best, the dinner after work, the wedding guest outfit that needs colour without being loud, the daytime event where a dress feels slightly too much. It photographs well, holds its shape through a long day, and gives an outfit a sense of intention that a plain black skirt rarely manages on its own.