I Can’t Escape the Wrath of Grape

By , a senior writer at the Strategist covering fashion. She joined the Strategist as a writer in 2021 and before that worked at NBC and HuffPost.

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Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

Every so often, there comes a color like primary blue or gross green that suddenly appears everywhere, from socks and pajamas to nail polish and soaps. Sometimes it’s been a special kind of purple, like the Tyrian purple of Byzantine emperors or mauveine, a synthetic dye accidentally discovered by chemist William Henry Perkin (that resembles Barney the Tyrannosaurus rex’s flesh). Lately it’s what I’d describe as grape, not all-natural grape but grape-flavored. It’s like a cartoonifed grape — one you’d find in a fruit bowl of a Tom and Jerry episodeor the kind of grape Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar might’ve eaten.I can’t stop noticing it: on the floor Miu Miu models trotted on, Francis Ford Coppola’s sock in the front row of Saint Laurent, a sweater sleeve off to the side in a photo of Michelle Williams in Secret Strategist. Here, all the shades of grape I’m thinking about.

Aqua Cashmere 100% Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater - Jelly
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J.Crew Oversized Cashmere Crewneck Sweater - Tetra Purple
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Currently, you can get this Tetra Purple shade only in J.Crew’s new premium cashmere (which is medium weight; signature cashmere remains lighter).

La Veste Gina Cotton Shirt Purple
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Wonderfully, perfectly grapey.

The Vermont Country Store Comfort Knit Solid Color Cotton Pajama Pants - Violet
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Le Bon Shoppe Arc Pants - Eggplant
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Your new favorite version of the Arc Pants — which senior editor Winnie Yang and deals editor Sam Daly wear on a nearly weekly basis.

Zara x Fruit of the Loom Washed Jogger Pants
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The Fruit of the Loom grapes on it look more like the blackcurrants on a Ribena juice box.

Bloch Elina Rib Waist Legging
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You’ll be asked for a link at your next Pilates class.

Staud Gus Relaxed Jean Amethyst
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Was this a swatch on Staud’s mood boards?

FP Movement Misty Mountain Waterproof Pullover - Jam
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COS Pure Cashmere Beanie - Purple
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Khaite Remo Suede Mid Gloves
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Less expected than red gloves are “raven” gloves (at least that’s what Khaite calls it).

Alex Mill The Perfect Weekday Tote - Deep Purple
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Rixo x Bay Garnett Jeany Cotton Velvet Clutch
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From British Vogue editor Bay Garnett’s collaboration with Rixo.

Natori Bliss Cotton Girl Brief - Dark Wisteria
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Colorful Standard Merino Wool Blend Sock - Ultra Violet
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Colorful Standard’s merino-wool-blend socks come in tangerine, oxblood, kelly green, and, my favorite, ultraviolet.

Calzuro Classic Work Clogs - Purple
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$122

The Italian surgeon clogs we’ve seen on “the feet of a rather elegant head nurse at New York–Presbyterian Hospital” and “our regular waiter at Achilles Heel in Greenpoint.”

Cinabre Purple Striped Slippers
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Cinabre’s slippers — that you can order with handwritten initials or date on the label — were included in 2024’s print Strategist “Gift” issue.

Charvet Suede Slippers - Purple
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Chanel recently purchased Charvet — Sofia Coppola has been getting shirts from the brand since Marie Antoinette.

Ballerette Women’s Purple Suede “Glove Shoes” Ballet Flats
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Indress Ostrich Feather Brooch
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The ostrich feathers are dyed — in lavender, violette, and purple — by “one of the last feather masters in France.”

Manicurist Nail Polish - Mystic - Mystic
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In Manicurist’s Green Range of nontoxic polishes, you’ll find Mystic, “a dark violet with blue undertones.”

Dries Van Noten Fleur Du Mal Eau de Parfum - 3.4 oz.
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Perfumer Quentin Bisch included osmanthus, jasmine, and peach juice in Dries Van Noten’s Fleur du Mal.

Droplet Fig Leaf Incense Cones - 26 Pack
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Let the smell of fig leaf, iris, and cedarwood waft through your bedroom.

Hay Tann Recycled Plastic Toothbrush
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So your pearly whites stay that way.

Yeti Rambler Tumbler - Pace Purple, 30 oz
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Guaranteed insulation in Yeti’s seasonal Pace Purple colorway.

Choward’s Violet Mints Candy
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John Derian Mini Grape Ornament
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In the wonderland of John Derian’s East 2nd Street store at Christmastime, there are sugar plums, glittered zucchini, and sparkly grapes.

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