How to Monochrome: Three Tips for Visually Interesting Outfits

The monochromatic or same-color look is probably my favorite. It’s the styling tool I use most often, and every outfit – saturated with color or soft and calm – feels like the same in my cab.

The trick, though, is how to make a monochromatic outfit feel interesting. Stop it from being bland.

In my years of experimenting with monochromatic dress codes, I’ve found that there are three key styling pillars that add dimension to the visual element; shape, texture and color.

You may even find that your outfit includes all three, but usually, feel-good outfits will have at least one central theme.

Shapes
Starting with the first outfit, I wanted to touch on the theme of shapes. This could be sharp versus soft lines, slim versus oversized. The silhouette can be exaggerated, sculptural, or unusual to some. It can be a design detail in the item itself or a stylized flourish that you intentionally add. My personal favorite – bring something with volume up to create an exaggerated waist hem effect.

This dress has a slightly subtle shape; the bodice is fitted and made from a thick ribbed knit fabric that shapes and outlines the silhouette. It has body and feels sturdy. In contrast, the skirt has an element of elegance and flow. The fabric moves effortlessly while adding softness.

Colors
The ultimate theme; color. This can work in clothing in a number of ways. Namely, the balance between warmth and coolness. For harmony, you’ll want to choose one or the other (although neutrals that straddle the middle ground often work as well). It may be how you incorporate the print – drawing on the commonalities of the colors present in the print to match your outfit. Maybe it’s how you play with bright lights; choosing different levels of color intensity in your outfit (think shades of blue or red). Or maybe it’s how you add color to a neutral base through accessories (think bags, shoes, earrings or even makeup).

You can see how I chose to use color in the final look; from the outfit to the accessories, all the pieces are on the neutral to cool end of the spectrum.