It’s finally that time of year. You can peel off the frigid winter layers. You can trade snow boots for shoes and sneakers. You can put on normal tops instead of chunky sweaters. Spring is coming and you can start wearing regular outfits again. But what if you forgot how?
If you’ve been bundled up for the last few months, you might be out of your style groove. And you might need some straightforward outfit ideas to flex your style muscles. So, let’s keep it simple and focus on how you’re combining colors to build your outfits.
Before you think this is an article about creative color combinations - it’s not. (But click here if you want to see some of my favorite color combos.) What I’m talking about right now are super easy outfit ideas - and they’re based on the principle of wearing two pieces in the same color. Because wearing similarly colored items is chic. It’s sophisticated. It creates intentional, pulled-together outfits. And best of all, it’s almost effortless.
And you know what else? You can adapt these ideas to any activity, any occasion and any style vibe. And the big bonus is that you can use these concepts to balance your figure, too!
Here are 2 never-fail outfit formulas using similarly colored pieces, that are perfect for spring weather (that you can probably pull together with what’s already in your closet). And check out how and why they balance your proportions.
SAME COLOR TOP & THIRD PIECE
Wearing clothes in the same color is essentially monochromatic dressing (check out a bunch of monochromatic outfits I created for clients). But while monochromatic dressing focuses on a full one-color outfit - wearing a top and jacket (or any third piece) in the same color can feel a bit more accessible. And a bit more realistic for your everyday life.
Your first thought may be, “I don’t have matching tops and jackets.” But you probably do, if you take a look in your closet. Do you have a white denim jacket and a white top? Or a navy blazer and a navy t-shirt? Or a black cardigan and black tank? Then you’re good to go. And if you play with color a bit more, you can do this with brights and pastels and any colors in your closet.
The above picture shows this outfit idea in a simple way. It’s the same jacket and same top – in ivory or navy. And I’m showing them with the same pair of medium blue jeans to demonstrate how you can use color to balance your proportions:
If you’re curvier on your bottom half, you might be stuck in a black pants and dark blue jeans rut (read this for ideas to get out of your blue jeans rut). And yes, this is a method to balance your proportions – but it’s not the only way. Because it’s not just about wearing dark colors on your bottom half - it’s about wearing a darker color on the bottom than what’s on top. So, by wearing an ivory top with medium blue jeans (or any color bottom that’s darker than ivory), you draw more attention to your top half.
And the opposite goes if you’re bigger on top and smaller on the bottom. You don’t have to only wear dark colors on top (if you’re looking to balance your proportions). You just need to wear a top color that’s darker than your bottom color. So, you can wear something as light as camel on top – as long as you’re wearing something lighter (like white or ivory) on the bottom.
There are a bunch more ways to play with this outfit formula – check out a handful of outfits I created for my clients (along with a few more tips).
A matching top and third piece doesn’t need to feel flat or boring. Vary the shades a bit (like pairing ivory with white) and add texture in one (or both) of the pieces.
A simple t-shirt, cardigan and jeans feel much more deliberate when you match the t and cardigan (and a print shoe never hurts!).
You might discover matches in your closet that you had no idea were there. My client had this red blouse before we started my framework - then we got this blazer together (without the intention of pairing them). I realized they matched during a styling session where she asked me to play with color.
Another case of accidental matching. This client already had the top - and then she got the pink jacket (based on my recommendation). And it can happen more often than you think, especially when you embrace your favorite colors in your wardrobe.
Another way to add dimension to your outfit is by varying the fabrics. A merino knit cardigan provides contrast to a silky blouse. And you can bookend your color by adding shoes in the same color family.
Matching colors adds sophistication, even when the individual items are simple - so it’s a great way to straddle the line when dress codes are vague. It may be hard to tell, but these top layers are navy - which is where I’ll often shift clients who are stuck in black (since navy is a gentler dark neutral).
Black and white is the extreme example of dark on top, light on bottom. And the shapes of this outfit enhance the effect - with a slim fitting top and jacket, and a skirt with volume and movement.
I love this outfit - and again, it was an unplanned pairing during a styling session. This client loves teal. So, I recommended the blazer - without realizing how perfect it was with her existing teal sweater.
SAME COLOR TOP & BOTTOM
Have you heard of ‘column dressing’? Essentially, it’s wearing the same color top and bottom – in order to a create a long, lean line. And then you add a contrasting third piece. This works for any figure type. This a great way to streamline your shape. And this is an easy way to build a pulled-together outfit.
The above picture gives you one example of this outfit formula (and there are more coming). But before we get to that, here are a few tips around wearing the same color top and bottom:
Your top & bottom don’t need to be a perfect match. Similar shades are close enough – which means a navy top and dark blue jeans totally work.
Your top & bottom don’t necessarily need to match at all. It’s a fun type of monochromatic dressing if they do – but you can get the same effect by wearing items that are tonally similar. Like a burgundy sweater and charcoal pants.
It’s not just about dark colors. You don’t need to wear head to toe black to get the slimming benefits – because again, it’s about how the colors relate to each other. So, head to toe olive can be just as slimming.
You can play with prints (like in the above image). Small scale prints are best for this strategy – you just want to match the base color of your print top with your solid bottom (or vice versa).
It’s also about your shoes. If you want a long and lean line, continue the same tonality of color down to your feet. Dark shoes with dark bottoms, light shoes with light bottoms. And skin-toned shoes with skirts and dresses.
For a few real-life examples, check out more outfits I created for my clients.
A dress is the easiest way to achieve the column of color effect, without having to try and match anything!
As with a matching top and third piece - a matching top and bottom don’t need to be the exact same shade. It’s about minimal contrast (which is why an oatmeal sweater and white jeans are an ideal combination).
Prints also work when you’re wearing the same color top and bottom. And in this case, boots in the same color extend the lines even further.
It’s not just about neutrals - a bold color top and bottom make a strong statement.
Another example where the colors don’t need to match. The ivory sweater and blush skirt are an elegant pairing and still create a long and lean line.
The classic ‘long and lean’ outfit is a black top and bottom. And while you don’t need to do it all the time, it’s a timeless look - just add a moto jacket for a little attitude.
If blue jeans are your daily go-to, solid and print blue tops are an easy way to make this formula work. Then add a little personality with a textured jacket and pop color shoe.
Like I said before - with this outfit formula, you can either go for the same color or just keep the contrast minimal. Which means that almost any dark color top works with dark blue jeans.
Will you try one of these outfit formulas? Or have you done this already? Let me know in the comments – and you can ask any questions there, too.
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