Wearing one color is anything but boring! Dressing head to toe in a single color may sound overwhelming and intimidating but it is one of the easiest ways to elevate your look. A monochrome outfit takes away the guessing sessions that comes with getting dressed. With this style, pulling together an outfit is made easier because it completely eliminates the option of worrying about coordinating two pieces together. When it comes to style solution that checks the boxes of low effort, fashion-forward, expressive and comfortable, monochrome outfits reigns supreme. Wearing one color head to toe has evolved into a classic way of dressing and has countlessly graced the red carpets. While monochrome outfits may take less energy and thought they can be tricky to pull off especially when you are using bright colors or light neutrals. A major tip to keep in mind is that you do not necessarily need to have pieces in the exact shade to make this look work and if you feel a bit adventurous, you can try adding contrasting pop of colors in your shoes or accessories. But still, there is more to nailing the monochromatic look than simply slipping on some pre-made matching pieces. If you are hoping to spice things up this year, then read through and gather some inspiration for your future glam.
WHAT IS MONOCHROMATIC DRESSING?
The word monochromatic breaks down into two words – “mono” meaning single and “chromatic” meaning color. Hence, monochromatic outfit will consist of pieces of one color and this doesn’t in anyway mean wearing one solid color from head to toe. The beauty of the monochromatic fashion trend is wearing different shades and tints of the same color – wearing separates of one color that have different textures and/or similar shades of same color for an overall tonal look. While mixing patterns can be a bit fussy and color-blocking a bit tacky, wearing a single shade is a cleaner way of putting an outfit together. The fun of going monochromatic is that it works with any color so there is no reason for you not to delve into style and explore multiple colors that will be marvelous with your skin tone, eyes and hair color. A rule of thumb to consider while exploring with colors is to avoid colors that clashes against your skin tone or hair color as they would amplify your wrong choice and can end up making you washed out if you are pale and look pasty if you are tan so, beware!
MONOCHROMATIC OUTFIT STYLE TIPS
How do you put together a monochromatic outfit and where do you begin?
Your first step will be to select the color you want to wear and like I mentioned above, ensure the color you pick is one that looks great for your skin tone and hair color and of course one you are comfortable in. a major mistake you can make is wearing a color that does not make your skin glow or a color that dampens your mood in any way.
To learn how to master the monochromatic dressing game, first get into your closet and pull out all the pieces you have and in the colors you would want to wear and lay them out experimenting by combining your pieces into outfits and see what looks good together, what doesn’t work and then come up with several outfits that will be your go-to afterwards.
Tip 1: Mix in textures
Be sure to mix in textures within your monochromatic outfit because you would want to add visual interest, depth and dimension to your look so it is not one-dimensional or boring. Some texture combination you can try pairing together are denim and chiffon, leather and cotton, wool and sequins and suede and silk and do not forget your shoes or boots when it comes to mixing textures. Your shoes play a major role in adding interest to your outfit. Consider incorporating leather, suede, or sequined heels and see how it works with that outfit you are trying to create.
Tip 2: Achieve balance
Always remember balance when combining pieces. This is a rule that works for every outfit and not just for monochromes. You do not want to overwhelm yourself with one color! On the contrary; you want your outfit to make you look tall and slender. To achieve this, play with proportions. For example if you are wearing a billowy top, pair it with a fitted bottom.
Tip 3: Accentuate the right area
You can accentuate the right areas of your body using the right colors. When wearing the same color in different shades and tints, pay attention to how dark or light each piece is. If you have wide hips for instance and you want to take emphasis away from them then, you should choose a darker shade of color for your bottoms to flatter your figure and a lighter shade on top for color balance. You can also add a belt to accentuate your waist in the monochromatic color you have selected and a belt is a great option to adding structure and definition to a flowery outfit.
Tip 4: Select the right colors
Select colors that look great on your skin tone and hair color. For example if you have a fair complexion and a blonde hair, go for navy instead of black while a tanned skin complexion with dark hair can opt for deeper colors like burgundy or eggplant.
If you are new to monochromatic outfits and are not sure what colors to use, you can start with dark neutrals like black, navy, brown and grey. Darker colors are the best shades to play with and it is most likely that you already own these neutral colors.
Tip 5: Add a touch of pattern
Monochromatic outfits do not necessarily have to be made up of solid pieces; you can incorporate patterns or prints. Add visual interest by breaking up the solid blocks of color by adding a print piece of the same color you are working with or you can add a patterned shawl or scarf.
Tip 6: The petite advantage
Monochromatic outfits are great for petites. Monochromatic dressing makes you appear taller and slimmer because it creates one seamless line from head to toe. Give it a try and see.
I hope this post has helped you understand the monochromatic style better. Remember that mixing textures is a great way to keep an outfit interesting and to make your next monochrome outfit stand out, stick to one pattern and pair it up with pieces in similar color.
Stay beautiful and stylish!