What did you think of all the monochromatic outfits at the inauguration? I thought they were so inspiring! I love monochromatic looks as a bold statement of color and they have such a strong presence when you’re on stage or being filmed/photographed (which is why they worked so well on Inauguration Day!).
I have many clients who are interested in creating monochromatic looks, but they’re sometimes hesitant. They think they can’t pull it off or are unsure how to create it or are wary of even trying it. And while it’s an amazing look for high profile occasions, it’s also a fun way to play with what’s already in your closet just for work or going out or hanging out on the weekend.
And yes – the simplest version of a monochromatic outfit is wearing the same color head to toe. But there are ways to make monochromatic looks more interesting and more adaptable to your everyday life. So, check out a bunch of monochromatic outfits I created for my clients along with some of my best tips on integrating the monochromatic look into what you wear on a daily basis.
A PERFECT MATCH?
The most literal way to create a monochromatic outfit is by layering the same colors together, but that’s not always easy when you don’t have perfect matches in your closet, right? After all – who happens to have a jacket, top and pants all in the same shade of eggplant?? The good news is that you don’t need perfect matches to make monochromatic looks work. Subtle differences in hue and tone are totally okay – and I actually like the way they add interest to your outfit. It’s a little difficult to tell from the above photo, but the leather jacket is actually a saturated orange and the dress is a warm red. So, they’re not a perfect match, but the combo still makes a strong statement.
SHADES OF THE SAME COLOR
I also love deliberately combining different shades in the same color family, like this long cardigan and jumpsuit combo I created for a client who really enjoys color. It’s a dynamic mix and the overall effect is bold, in a very good way.
MONOCHROMATIC NEUTRALS
When you think of monochromatic looks (outside of the gorgeous inauguration outfits), you may think of different shades of neutrals. And this is an amazing way to create a subtle, yet impactful outfit. But in order to keep these looks from falling flat, here are a few tips:
Instead of going for just one shade of a neutral, layer multiple shades, like the medium grey cardigan and charcoal pants in the above outfit.
Add tonal prints for interest and dimension. It helps break up an all solid look, especially when the textures are similar.
Texture is also super helpful to make a neutral monochromatic outfit more interesting. Play with matte and shine, nubby and flat and other variations in texture for an outfit that’s much more than the sum of its parts.
ALL BLACK OUTFITS
If I asked you what would be the easiest one-color outfit to create from your closet, you may say, “an all-black outfit.” But when you’re wearing all black (or other dark shades), it’s even more crucial to add texture and/or tonal prints to bring your look to life. My client loves all neutral looks, so in the above outfit I combined the shine of leather with ribbed cashmere and plaid pants, with the added pop of studded booties.
JUST ON TOP
You may be thinking, “Paul, I don’t have blouses AND pants AND jackets all in the same color. So, how am I supposed to create a monochromatic outfit?” Guess what? You don’t need to play with monochrome from head to toe – you can just layer similar shades on top. For both of these clients, I found tops and blazers in their closets that were super close in color, so it made for a fun combination (that neither of them had tried before).
COLD WEATHER LAYERS
I really love playing with monochromatic layers in cold weather. It’s an unexpected layering of color that feels super sophisticated. This client had all these items sitting in her closet before we met and I showed her how to combine them in different ways. And this outfit would go total monochrome with a pair of medium grey pants!
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ACCESSORIES
Don’t forget – accessories can play into your monochromatic looks, as well. Combine tonal shades of the same color family to add even more impact to your outfit.
A quick tip – if you’re a true fan of perfect matches, buy your monochromatic pieces from the same brand at the same time. But still remember – variations in texture (like the flat knit cape and ribbed sweater above) are key in up-leveling your outfit.
JUST ON TOP VS COLUMN OF COLOR
I created a bunch of outfits for this client during her Closet Audit and a few of them played with monochromatic ideas. The outfit on the left layers an oatmeal heather knit top under a taupe suede vest with a bag in a similar shade. And the outfit on the right demonstrates a ‘column of color’ (click here to read what’s so great about a column of color) with an olive top and olive pants.
Are you ready to create your own monochromatic outfits? Drop a comment below with your thoughts or questions.
And if you’re looking for help in maximizing what’s in your closet, I can help you discover hidden treasures and create new outfits from what you already own! Click here to read the benefits of a styling session and read this for the full range of my virtual services.