'...More than pink, lilac is taboo for American men. Perhaps more acceptable socially but for work? I would never suggest a lilac shirt for the workplace...'

FNB. why is lilac a taboo colour for shirtings in the US?

I know it's not a a popular colour in Italy, but I think this may have something to do with it being a mourning colour. Catholic priests wear purple vestments(?) at funerals so the Italians being more religious than us English may not feel comfortable with the connection, that's just a guess. I think Flannel is Italian so he may know more.

I think the English love of purple and it's lighter shades like lilac etc. is interesting, It maybe due to it's connection with royalty and wealth. In classical antiquity Tyrian purple was many times more expensive than gold and so became synonymous with royalty and wealth. Just another guess, other may know more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple

Oh hell, I used to wear pink and lilac shirts to conventions of the National Rifle Association in various cities in the American heartland 25 years ago. Nobody, but nobody among the attendees or among the locals ever gave me a bit of grief over it. Maybe it was my size...but I'm not that humongous, dammit!

Last edited by formby (2008-07-13 15:52:51)