Approprio, I think of eggplant/Aubergine as a neutral, maybe straight purple also. Now that I think of it, I would even use lavender as a neutral. I think it can go with everything.
Toronto girl, you raise an interesting question! Could digital cameras somehow wash out neutrals more than colors, or perhaps the lighted screen alters their vibrancy somehow?
Dottie, I have to agree there is some importance to getting contrast levels correct, but there is value and color contrast. I wonder what happens if only one type of contrast is correct and not the other? Would the outfit look bad?
Honestly, I don't think I pay much attention to either type of contrast. My DD warned me to stay away from high value and color contrast. I do my best, but not always. In a small amount, some high contrast looks good. It draws attention to or away, and it makes an outfit less dull.