We report a case of tinea corporis purpurea localized to a calf in a 36-year-old woman. The patient, who was also affected by mild superficial venous insufficiency of lower limbs, complained of intense pruritus. Microsporum canis was the aetiological agent. Clinically atypical varieties of tinea corporis were sometimes reported in the literature, particularly in HIV-positive patients, although they are uncommon in immunocompetent patients; in particular, tinea corporis purpurea is very rare.