Anne Hathaway and Oprah Are Making This Unexpected Shade the 'It' Color of Winter 2023

ICYMI, we’re in an era of bold colors. My condolences to neutrals, but bright, standout shades are having a gravitational pull on fashion, with everything from highlighter yellow and Barbie pink to cherry red trending in 2023. But recently, a new color has been making waves, and with the help of Anne Hathaway and Oprah, it might just become winter’s most unexpected ‘It’ shade.

Earlier this week, Hathaway stepped out in a pair of seriously wide-leg white trousers, which she paired with a Hermès Birkin bag and an eye-catching violet cardigan. Could I have been coveting her $25,720 purse? Yes. But was I? Not really. Because of everything from the look, I couldn’t stop thinking about her perfect purple sweater, which offered a much-needed change-up from winter’s often-drab color palette. 

But Hathaway isn’t alone in rocking the classic spring shade in winter; just hours earlier, Oprah was seen wearing the same hue in a mock-neck knit on The Drew Barrymore Show, convincing me purple might be this season’s most wearable (and yes, most surprising) pop of color. Given my immediate obsession with both of their sweaters, I of course set out to get my own, and found nine purple knits inspired by the celebrity-favorite trend that you can incorporate into your wardrobe this winter, starting at just $10. 

• Hanes Crewneck Sweatshirt, $10 (Originally $18); amazon.com
• Amazon Essentials Long-Sleeve Crewneck Sweater, $28 (Originally $35); amazon.com
• Topshop Fluffy Wide Rib Sweater, $65; nordstrom.com 
• Free People One Sela Cardigan, $98; freepeople.com
• J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck Sweater, $118; jcrew.com
• Madewell (Re)sponsible Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater, $148; madewell.com
• Crush Cashmere Piha Cashmere Spread Collar Cardigan, $222 with code DECGETSF (Originally $272); saksfifthavenue.com
• AllSaints Selena Asymmetric Sweater, $279; nordstrom.com
• A.L.C. Ayden Wool-Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, $495; bergdorfgoodman.com

Amazon Essentials Long-Sleeve Crewneck Sweater

If you’re wanting Oprah’s look for less, consider grabbing Amazon Essentials’ cotton-blend long-sleeve crewneck sweater, which is currently on sale for just $28. The knit is nearly identical to the one she wore on Barrymore’s show, with the same ribbed details at the sleeves, neck, and hem. According to one shopper, the lavender is “beautiful and always gets [them] compliments” while the actual sweater is “soft, comfy, and warm but not too hot.” Another person even called it a “must-have in your wardrobe,” explaining that it is “soft and sits well,” is “true to size and very flattering,” and “better than a lot of major, well-known” brands.

J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck Sweater

But if you’re a cashmere person through and through, you can’t go wrong with J.Crew’s 100-percent cashmere sweater, which boasts nearly 100 perfect ratings. This is available in 14 colors, with two purple shades — one a light violet, the other a deep iris. “The dark [purple] is gorgeous,” said one customer who went on to call the sweater a “must-have for your…winter work wardrobe,” noting that the slightly cropped design works perfectly with a pair of high-waisted pants. “[The] perfect length — tucks perfectly into the waist of a skirt or high waisted pants, [and] untucks at just the right length to flatter your figure,” wrote someone else, adding that it looks “great with pencil skirts, slip skirts, wide leg, or narrow pants.” And as far as the feel goes, this sweater “is extremely soft” and made of a “high quality cashmere,” per one other shopper. 

Crush Cashmere Piha Cashmere Spread Collar Cardigan

As for cardigans, I’m head-over-heels for this collared, cashmere pick you can grab at Saks for $50 off with the code DECGETSF. While I adore Hathaway’s V-neck one, I personally prefer a cardigan that can double as a standalone sweater; if I want to layer I can, if it’s not that type of cold I don’t have to. This style checks that box while also featuring standout details, including darling puffed-sleeves, ribbed trim, and a slightly oversized collar that gives the sophisticated style a more casual feel.

If you’re ready to bring some brightness to your winter wardrobe, shop more purple sweaters inspired by Anne Hathaway and Oprah’s looks below:

Topshop Fluffy Wide Rib Sweater

Hanes Crewneck Sweatshirt

Madewell (Re)sponsible Cashmere Oversized Crewneck Sweater

Free People One Sela Cardigan

AllSaints Selena Asymmetric Sweater

A.L.C. Ayden Wool-Cashmere Crewneck Sweater