How to Nail Monochromatic Outfits

Monochromatic outfits are a huge trend for 2020. In years past, they were deemed too “matchy-matchy” and looked either dated or tasteless. More recently, this idea was flipped on its head as they took over high fashion runways and the wardrobes of every it-girl. Now, these single-hued looks are tried and true favorites for looking effortless, elevated, and on-trend for anyone! The idea is simple: Pair pieces of the same color together to make a complete outfit. This concept is so great because it instantly makes your overall look unified and editorial. Best of all, you oftentimes don’t have to buy any new pieces to recreate this trend. I’m all for trends that you can participate in for free! Monochromatic dressing is also a huge hack for those wanting to create a capsule wardrobe. If all your clothes are similar in hue, they will pair well together so you’ll be able to create more outfits with fewer pieces. Get inspired by an example of monochromatic looks pulled from a capsule wardrobe. For those interested in having a capsule wardrobe of their own, we are happy to offer this service! Learn about the capsule wardrobe styling service.

Monochromatic outfits look so effortless that you may think they’re simple to assemble, especially because you don’t have to worry about harmonizing your outfit’s color palate. Unfortunately, it’s rarely as intuitive as we might hope. For example, is there ever too much of a color? What if it looks boring altogether? What if it looks forced? And which pieces should you choose to start building your outfit? For those of you who love the look but shy away from trying it out yourself, we have compiled some useful tips that will keep you comfortable and confident as you give monochromatic outfits a try in 2020.

The first thing to note is that there is no one right way to do the trend. Play around with it and see what you feel good in! Some approaches to monochromatic dressing are easier to master than others. For example, the all-black look has been common in a variety of settings for years. It is the uniform in certain workplaces, the traditional choice for funerals, and an easy go-to outfit for formal events. So, if a head-to-toe black look is already within your comfort zone, consider how you can push yourself one step further into the monochromatic trend.

What to Look for When Shopping

For many people, the first thing to try will be a monochromatic outfit in a non-black neutral shade. This could be white, cream, gray, camel, or brown. The selling point here is that none of the items will clash because they’re all neutrals! Just make sure you stick to a single base color to maintain the monochromatic effect. Most people have a decent stock of neutral-colored clothing that will provide a good starting point for this first look. If you don’t, this is the PERFECT place to start your shopping list. First, choose your favorite neutral shade (such as cream). Remember that this is your base color, and some minor deviations in shade may even be beneficial to the final outfit. Next, assess what pieces you already have in this color and its cousin-colors—beige, ecru, off-white, etc. Do you notice any gaps in this subsection of your wardrobe? It’s especially important to make sure you have basics in this color that fit your lifestyle and the season. If you notice some basics are missing, this is what to add to your shopping list! Look for pieces that are simpler in construction, easy to layer, and will stand the test of time. Here, I went with a lightweight sweater, trench coat, trousers, loafer, and a simple pendant. An outfit comprised of all neutral timeless pieces like this is as fail-safe as it gets. Notice how the small deviations in color add dimension to the look.

 

Now that you have your essentials, try adding in some tonal statement pieces to your monochromatic outfits to amp up this 2020 trend. Mixing your basic layers with a few pieces that reflect your personality is key to feeling confident in this look. For example, if you are going for a grey outfit and have a simple sweater dress as a base, an edgier piece on top like a leather jacket will work wonders to liven it up. A great tip for grey monochromatic looks is that silver hardware and crystal embellishments add rich texture while staying on-hue. Also, notice how the snakeskin detail on the sneakers stays with the all-grey theme while adding dimension. When you’re shopping for your monochromatic look, keep an eye out for creative ways like these to inject personality and interest into the look while staying true to your color scheme.

How to Pair Like Items Together

Once you’re done shopping and have compiled all clothing and accessories of the target color, it’s time to consider how you will assemble the full look. The pieces you have to choose from will reflect your personal style already. Now you will be choosing which pieces suit the occasion, are weather appropriate, and complement each other. The monochromatic outfits included above reflected an office-ready and a casual take on the 2020 trend, respectively. I chose the items for the work outfit because they are items that I would typically style together for this setting, so styling them in monochrome colors is no major challenge. The same is true for the casual look—the dress and sneakers combo is a fun look I love, so I would feel comfortable wearing this in a monochromatic color scheme, too. When in doubt, stick to outfit formulas you’re comfortable with and try one new trend at a time! If you’re still having trouble with pairings, try looking for sets. Designers are pushing things like skirt sets (a top and skirt made of matching fabric that are designed to be worn together), matching sweatshirt and jogger combos, and monochromatic suits. Take advantage of these sets for this trend—they have already done the tricky color and style matching for you! Another option is a take on the “Canadian tuxedo”—an all-denim look you can piece together yourself with ease. When building on your set, keep additional garments and most accessories in line with your target color. Here, I included a couple of contrasting accessories since the rest of the outfit was so well-matched, I didn’t risk losing the monochromatic effect. I kept these contrasting pieces in neutral tones so they wouldn’t be distracting.

Creating Colorful Monochromatic Looks

The last look was somewhere between neutral and color due to its denim fabrication, but what if you’re looking for something in a bolder and brighter hue? This is where the real styling challenge comes in. Most of us are not used to wearing head-to-toe color! We have already mentioned how shine, texture, and different shades of the same color can help add dimension to a monochromatic outfit so that the color doesn’t become overwhelming. Other ways to accomplish this are through playing with silhouette, proportion, pattern, and even fabric weight. You may not need any of these accents to complete the look, but sometimes the details make it feel more wearable and interesting. I am loving the sage green trend lately and so I chose this as my base color for the next outfit. A mix of fabrics is what keeps this look especially fresh—there is a heavy knit sweater, a lightweight satin skirt, and a leather trench coat and boots. The earrings add just a pop of texture. Remember, a monochromatic color scheme provides a clean foundation to make other attributes of the outfit shine. Try to add a few eye-catching details, but don’t overload the outfit and lose its effortless quality.

Wrap-Up

Monochromatic outfits are one of the most exciting trends for 2020. Not only does monochromatic styling flatter the body by creating an uninterrupted line of color from head to toe, but it is adaptable to any style and can often be created using pieces already in your closet. Experiment with the trend using these guidelines, or if you would like a little extra help putting looks together and pushing your boundaries, set up an appointment here. We hope you have fun with this trend!