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Can't wear purple in Italy?

Okay, I know this is an off-the-wall topic, but today I just learned that the color purple is considered bad luck in Italy, because it's associated with funerals. For example, actors don't wear purple on stage (and audience members wearing purple have been asked to leave the theater); you don't wrap gifts in purple paper; purple is never used as a decor color in Italian weddings.

This would all be just charming information, except that my sister and I are going to Italy in two weeks, and both of us have substantial amounts of purple in our traveling clothes.

What to do? Do we have to find new, non-purple stuff to wear? Would it be considered bad manners to wear our purple stuff? This has thrown us for a loop!

Posted by
23177 posts

Wow, never heard that but it may tie into something else I recently heard. Someone suggested that wearing purple discouraged pickpockets -- maybe that is why.

Frank P., Centennial, CO

Posted by
705 posts

This made me so curious I did a google search by putting in Italy+purple+bad luck and lots of things came up. Purple apparently is associated with the Passion and death and also bad luck. Like you I read that its not a 'wedding colour' and it's not a good idea to give a gift wrapped in purple. I personally wouldn't take this too literally. I think it goes in the "don't walk under a ladder" and "Friday 13th" supersition rather than hard fact. Personally I wouldn't be too radical changing my clothes. It also sounds like it's more a common belief in smaller country towns.

Posted by
160 posts

How could anything associated with Jesus, Passion regardless, be considered bad luck?? I wouldn't worry too much about colors you wear. Have fun and forget the superstitions.

Posted by
705 posts

The two are not linked in any way. The web site I took this from gives all references to purple - good and bad.

Posted by
2298 posts

I've never heard of this, but I had several light purple/lavender items in my Italy travel wardrobe. I didn't get any sideways glances or comments at all. Maybe call the RS tour divas in Seattle and ask them - they know everything!

Posted by
127 posts

hi..i have only been in rome 3 days, florence, 3, and now naples..thus far i have seen it ALL: everything flies, t shirts with logos (seems very local), sandles, tennis shoes, you name it...the only thing that screams "tourist" seems to be shorts, m.as well as f.
jim