Green and purple: the vibrant duo balanced by neutral accessories

In Lusaka on September 14, Sophie of Edinburgh wore a lemon green midi dress by ARossGirl x Soler, cinched at the waist with a purple belt. The contrast is striking, yet the silhouette remains clean thanks to a simple cut and neutral accessories. The color clash suddenly seems much less intimidating.

Marie Claire notes that unexpected color combinations are on the rise in 2026, from red with purple to cobalt with butter yellow. Chartreuse green is also among the highly visible shades this year. In the Zambian outfit worn by the Duchess, one color dominates the silhouette while the other is concentrated at the waist.

Beige Penelope Chilvers espadrilles and gold jewelry avoid adding a third highly saturated block. Woman & Home also highlights this choice of minimalist accessories. To translate the idea, purple can remain on a belt, a scarf, or a pair of earrings when green already dominates the outfit.

African details are not lost, however. Sophie wore green earrings from Kazuri Beads, a Nairobi-based company, as well as an Africa ring by designer Giulia Barela. The jewelry complements the palette or warms it up without competing with the main duo.

The tour in Zambia, scheduled from September 14 to 19, also places this fashion choice within a program focused on women and local craftsmanship. The following day, Sophie met with Zambian leaders and then visited Jewel of Africa, a family business founded in 1992 that works with local stones, emphasizing traceability and direct sourcing.

The stay continues until September 19. Sophie later swapped the green and purple duo for a white Soler dress with multicolored patterns during meetings with business leaders and a visit to Jewel of Africa, established in Lusaka in 1992.