Inspiration in the color puce.
Learn the history and meaning of the color puce, that bloodstained mix of pale pink, purple, and brown.
What is the meaning of the color puce?
Puce is a relative of pale pink. With undertones of purple and brown, its name comes from the French word puce, which means “flea.” Of course, the tiny insects themselves are brown, but the color puce comes from the bloodstain that dries after a flea has been smashed. The color puce has an unusual name, but puce color itself is a beautiful, mauve-like earthy pink used often in fashion, cosmetics, and design.
The color puce isn’t the first hue that comes to mind when developing a palette, but its elegance and neutrality make it a versatile lipstick color for all skin tones and a stunning base color in modern decor.
The history of puce color.
Puce color was first documented in English in 1778.
The color puce has existed as long as color has been perceived. This shade of light pink with soft currents of purple and brown wasn’t named, however, until 1778, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Other sources date the first use of the French puce as a color name as far back as the 14th century.
How could flea blood inspire the name of a color?
As long as blood has stained the fibers of linens, there has been a color we could have called “puce.” Yet it wasn’t until 1775 that a French dressmaker made Marie-Antoinette a gown in this shade, which then inspired the famed reaction from Louis XVI: “that is puce!” The king was referring to the dress’s color’s resemblance to the stain left behind after killing a flea.
Puce color gowns were briefly popular in the bourgeoisie.
After the Marie-Antoinette anecdote, the color puce was adopted as a more reliable tint used in the fashion of the court than the whites and blues popular at the time. Trendy taffetas and satins in puce color didn’t have to be redyed as often, and so the burnt pink became popular due to its practicality. Puce color did not enjoy a long run, though. By the start of the Victorian era, it lost much of its favor.
The color puce across different cultures.
One of the Red Knights in Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur was named “The Puce Knight.”
The story Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory chronicles the tale of Gareth, a knight of the Round Table in Arthurian Legend. It tells of three Red Knights, all of which Gareth bests. The second that Gareth fights, Sir Perimones, is called “The Puce Knight” in the original tale.
The French imprinted the color puce in literature and language.
Victor Hugo described Mademoiselle Baptistine in Les Miserables as “dressed in a gown of puce-colored silk, of the fashion of 1806.” In a novel by Émile Zola around the same time, a woman was described as wearing a gown “of a dark color…between puce and the color of caca d’oie (in French, “goose droppings”).
Puce Trading Stamps, the worthless stamps.
Puce color was used in a little-remembered comic strip from 1960 called Pogo. The Puce Trading Stamps in the strip were a spoof of the popular trading stamps of the day that were identified by color. The Puce Stamps couldn’t be redeemed, and were therefore worthless. They saved recipients the need to save them.
How to use the color puce.
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Tap into the psychology of puce.
The color puce is considered a calm and soothing color. Puce color still does demand a certain presence. Its exquisite class is understated but impressive. The color puce is also associated with confidence and power. Unlike other commanding colors tied to power or wealth (like purple), puce is quietly confident.
Puce color in fashion and interior design.
Look to fashion and home décor for inspiration in puce. The color puce is popular in these industries because of its light warmth and subtlety. Look at puce color clothing, accessories, and upholstery. These are often made in fine fabrics like velvet. The color puce adds depth to the selections around it.
The color puce is a compliment for natural hues.
Puce color doesn’t occur often in nature, but it complements natural hues beautifully. Use puce color in projects with rich browns or deep greens. Often, these combinations can take the elegance of puce and turn it into a sophisticated statement about the natural world.
Combine puce with other colors.
The color puce can play beautifully off shades of orange and green. Blue, though, is the classic partner of puce. Marie-Antoinette was known for this combination in the late 1700s. Puce can also be combined with bold shades of yellow to enhance its vividness. Combine puce with earthy browns or whites for more contemporary palettes (like those seen often today in interior design).
Information about puce color.
The puce HEX code picker is #CC8899. This is a light pink with undertones of purple and brown.
The color puce can be achieved in a RGB space with 204 red, 136 green, and 153 blue. Puce color can be achieved in a CMYK color space with 0% cyan, 33% magenta, 25% yellow, and 20% black.