"The Colours" were an early marketing stroke of genius. Dreamt up in 1908, the unusual combination of colours green (hope), purple (dignity) and white (purity) was used in campaigns everywhere – on banners, pamphlets, newspapers, posters, and in clothing – scarves, ribbons, jewelry. The Colours unified the movement and also emphasized the femininity of the suffragettes, who were being characterized in the press and by the government as hysterical harridans.