Derek LamThis ensemble was inspired by the colours of Derek Lam’s Spring 2015 collection. The model is wearing a pair of toffee trousers with a white top, cognac belt and lilac leather coat. Why wait till Spring to sport this gorgeous colour combination. If you have the pieces to wear for Autumn and Winter, go for it. 

Think about combining lilac with toffee and shades of white in any way at all. I’ve started the ball rolling with three possibilities: smart casual on the left, business casual in the middle, and casual on the right. I’ve left out the option of a lilac topper because that’s a pretty tall order at the moment. J.Crew’s double-cloth lady day coat comes in a misty lilac, but in general jackets and coats are much more easy to find in Winter white and toffee. You might already have them in your closet.

Lilac Sweater, White Jeans & Toffee Topper

Pair white or cream jeans with a lilac pullover, shirt or blouse. Add light tan footwear and bag. Finish off the outfit with a toffee topper, like a coat or leather jacket. Metallic footwear and bag will work just as well as the tan.

Toffee Pants, White Top & Lilac Scarf

Pair toffee pants with a white sweater, shirt or blouse. Add a lilac scarf and brown boots to finish off the look. I chose a pair of boots with a higher shaft to offset the cropped length of the wool pants. Add a toffee, white or lilac topper, and a tan or cream bag. 

Lilac Top, Jeans, Cognac Accents & White Topper 

Pair blue jeans with a lilac top and finish off the outfit with cognac footwear and belt. Add a Winter white coat or jacket, and tan or cream bag. Throw in a lilac beanie just for fun. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

This colour combination makes a statement on its own without the addition of extra bells and whistles. That’s why I chose solid clothing pieces instead of patterns. But feel free to wear a patterned top or bottom in the same palette if that’s more your cup of tea.

Ensemble: Lilac, Toffee & White