# What is the color of this woman's shoe? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 3, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165 "2011-06-03T03:55:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/21 "2011-06-03T09:39:55Z")
You do realize, of course, that everyone’s monitor is calibrated differently? I’d call those shoes deep lavender. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/22 "2011-06-03T12:46:08Z")
It’s certainly not aubergine (very dark purple) or lilac (pale purple). Grape or any of the others works. I’d call it Royal Purple. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/23 "2011-06-03T16:11:17Z")
I would call it exactly purple. Or plum if you made me pick another word. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/24 "2011-06-03T17:05:31Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > And here I always thought puce was green. That’s because it _sounds_ green. I don’t know how a word can sound like a color, but puce is definitely misnamed. I agree with **rachelellogram** , it’s purple. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/25 "2011-06-03T17:17:36Z")
Honestly, I would call it purple. Basic, plain, ordinary purple. I’m not sure you’ll come up with a color name that will effectively describe it any better (accurate and understood/recognized) for most folks. On preview, it seems I’m on the same page as **rachelellogram** and **Mauvaise**. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/26 "2011-06-03T18:22:24Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Thanks to all for the assist. > > I’m looking at this [shades of purple chart](http://www.december.com/html/spec/color4.html), and is just does not seem to be any of these purples. Violet #8F5E99 and Purple Rain #694489 on that chart look like fairly good matches. I’ll call it a bluish shade of violet with low saturation (“dusty”). Grape is a good name too. It’s kind of lavendery too. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/27 "2011-06-03T18:27:08Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Thanks to all for the assist. > > I’m looking at this [shades of purple chart](http://www.december.com/html/spec/color4.html), and is just does not seem to be any of these purples. Fifth down on the left - indigo tile #72587F ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/28 "2011-06-03T18:35:37Z")
I’d have said “orchid” ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/29 "2011-06-03T18:41:22Z")
I’d go with a simple “metallic purple”. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/30 "2011-06-03T18:42:08Z")
Before I even clicked the link I was thinking puce, and I’m sticking with it. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/31 "2011-06-03T19:17:43Z")
Puce has always sounded green to me, too. But chartreuse should be pink. My first thought was plum. Second choice would be purple. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/32 "2011-06-03T20:29:50Z")
Maybe it would help to know in what context you’re trying to describe them? As was mentioned, color calibration differs greatly from computer to computer and, no offense, but that color chart is for shit. Also, “industry” names constantly change so that might be some comapany’s idea of “aubergine”, but that definitely isn’t anywhere near the color of an eggplant. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/33 "2011-06-03T23:14:37Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Maybe it would help to know in what context you’re trying to describe them? As was mentioned, color calibration differs greatly from computer to computer and, no offense, but that color chart is for shit. Also, “industry” names constantly change so that might be some comapany’s idea of “aubergine”, but that definitely isn’t anywhere near the color of an eggplant. [The context is just an ebay listing.](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110694599504&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT)I wanted to get the color description correct. Looks like I will probably have to change “aubergine”. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/34 "2011-06-04T03:19:33Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [The context is just an ebay listing.](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110694599504&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT)I wanted to get the color description correct. Looks like I will probably have to change “aubergine”. Since the customer can see it more or less with there own eyes, I think you’re good. If you’re so inclined, maybe you could paste a color swatch from the chart of whatever color looks closest. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/35 "2011-06-04T03:54:28Z")
> [@Taomist](#): > > And here I always thought puce was green. I always thought it was like the colour of newborn baby poop, that sort of mustard yellow. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/36 "2011-06-04T04:07:03Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [The context is just an ebay listing.](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110694599504&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT) Good thing you didn’t go with puce, then! ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/37 "2011-06-04T04:28:27Z")
Names of colors are completely meaningless. Get a Pantone chart and match it up. I’d call it PMS 2645C. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/38 "2011-06-04T12:52:02Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [The context is just an ebay listing.](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110694599504&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT)I wanted to get the color description correct. Looks like I will probably have to change “aubergine”. I’d make sure you include purple/violet in the description, too. Keep the more common, less accurate name as tha’ts more likely what people will be searching under. And then “aubergine” gives them the closest color name. BTW, I loaded the image and used a color picker on it. The average color is #8a6784, which is a fairly medium saturation dark purple. The closest color name I see is [Antique Fuchsia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia_(color)#Antique_fuchsia). Unless we go with ColourLovers, in which [Iced Over Purple](http://www.colourlovers.com/color/8A6884/Iced_Over_Purple) is the closest, only being off by 1/255 green. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165/39 "2011-06-04T12:57:47Z")
Unattractive. Is that a color? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-color-of-this-womans-shoe/584165.md?page=1)