Puce is the French word for “flea”. The color is said to be the color of bloodstains on linen or bedsheets, even after being laundered, from a flea’s droppings, or after a flea has been crushed. The color puce became popular in the late 18th century in France. It appeared in clothing at the Court of Louis XVI and was said to be a favorite color of Marie Antoinette, though there are no portraits of her wearing it.
