What Color Is Eggplant? About Eggplant Color

Are you curious about what color is eggplant? Stick around as we share some information about this vibrant color.

Eggplant may be a staple vegetable in our households, but have you ever stopped and thought about what color it truly is?

To the naked eye, eggplant may appear purple, but there is actually more than meets the eye.

While the vegetable may not exactly be everyone’s cup of tea, we cannot deny that the color eggplant is having a moment, and it is here to stay.

Learn more about this hue and what makes it unique.

What Color Is Eggplant?

From its name alone, the color eggplant undoubtedly comes from the vegetable with the same name. This hue is dark purple or brownish-purple based on the outer skin of eggplants.

The color eggplant is a quaternary color on the RYB color wheel. This means that it is the result of two tertiary colors.

Purple, or violet, is one of the quaternary colors, alongside green and orange.

Since eggplant is a shade of purple, it contains red and blue, as well as yellow to make it a bit dull and achieve a slight hint of brown within.

While eggplant has been around for ages, the first recorded use of eggplant to describe and designate a color was only in 1915.

Meanwhile, Crayola crayons introduced it as a color in 1998, with the particular crayon bearing a combination of pinkish-purple and grayish color.

Eggplant Color Codes

Eggplant has a hex triplet code of #614051.

Meanwhile, it has a hue, saturation, and value of 329 degrees, 34%, and 38% accordingly.

In the standard red, green, and blue (RGB) color space, eggplant has values of 97, 61, and 81, respectively.

Difference Between Eggplant, Plum, and Aubergine

To the untrained eye, eggplant, plum, aubergine are all the same. While these colors are similar to one another, there are some ways you can distinguish them.

Eggplant takes on a darker appearance compared to plum, with its more vibrant purple. Though aubergine is just an alternative word for eggplant in British Englis, they seem to be the same color. However, since there are different varieties of aubergine and eggplants, mainly European and Chinese varieties, they also range in color. At times, aubergine even appears bluish purple.

Plum, on the other hand, is purple with more reddish tones. And Marsala results if the red is more vibrant and prominent.

Meaning of the Color Eggplant

Since purple is quite rare in nature, colors such as eggplant are typically considered bold and strong.

Because of its rarity, the eggplant color from the purple family may also be associated with wealth and mystery, often of intriguing individuals.

Eggplant is also linked with royalty. It is seen as the color of people in power, especially as the purple dye in the olden days was one of the most expensive and rare dyes to be made, thus being associated with the rich and powerful.

Since eggplant is a deeper shade of purple, it can symbolize sadness, frustration, and even grief.

Some parts of Europe associate this hue with death and mourning.

How to Use Eggplant in Design and Fashion

Eggplant may be a shocking and bold color for many, but it can work in a variety of circumstances.

Whether in interior design or fashion, you can learn how to incorporate this color with little difficulty with our guide.

For example, using it as the main wall color and putting equally bold and vibrant colors such as red against it can help create a rich and lush feeling.

You can use red accents such as paintings and even flowers and to complement each color.

Of course, it goes without saying that eggplant will also pair beautifully with neutral colors, especially whites, creams, beiges, and the like.

These lighter-colored neutrals add a breath of fresh air and make your space seem lighter and brighter.

This color also works with darker colors to achieve a vintage and even masculine vibe.

As a matter of fact, dark browns and even blacks, when paired with this hue, create a timeless and sophisticated feel.

You can try pairing it with wood and leather pieces, such as a leather chair or sofa, and work your way from there.

If you intend to use eggplant in your wardrobe to inject some color, you can start by using it as the main piece.

Wear a body-hugging dress in this hue and pair it with metallic shades such as gold.

You can also try pairing an eggplant-colored top with a blush-colored skirt.

The combination of these hues will lend your look a romantic appearance and make for a more streamlined silhouette.

The Bottom Line

Eggplant may not be your first choice when it comes to colors, but with this article, we hope to change your mind and bring a new perspective on this color.

In time, you may just find yourself leaning towards the eggplant color and expanding your horizons.