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Five Tips for Rocking a Monochrome Outfit

Contrary to popular belief, a monochrome outfit is not an “all white” or an “all black” option you just have to deal with. Monochrome implies all hues, tints and shades of a particular color. It may be hard to pull off, but if you do you will look like a fashion pro! Styling a color blocked outfit is indeed a challenge, but last year’s fashion shows proved that anyone can do it – provided you pay attention to some details and take into account some tips and tricks. Today we will show you that you can totally rock a monochrome outfit with five easy styling tips and make even the fashion police (mono) green with envy.

(Photo: Max Mara)

1. Fifty shades of gray

We won’t tell you to rip off the novel’s pages and wrap yourself in them, but we will tell you that gray is the color du jour since last year. Max Mara, Hugo Boss and Alexis Mabille pitched glacier gray as the new trend since 2015 runways, and the style picked up the pace this year. A monochrome gray outfit may seem a bit dull and too demure for your tastes, but the trick with gray is mixing different fabrics, textures and shades for a fashionable look.

Since this year’s trends revolve around shiny fabrics, you can rock a full gray monochrome outfit by mixing shimmering satin with quiet cotton or faux fur accent pieces with tulle summer dresses. Moreover, you can also add some flashy golden accents or accessories as well.

2. Go red or go home!

“When in doubt, wear red” is what iconic designer Bill Blass said, and we have to agree. A head-to-toe red outfit is hard to pull off as it is edgy, noisy and downright flashy, unless you style it up with an animal print accent accessory, such as a tiny fashionable clutch or a pair of animal print pumps. The secret here is also the mix of fabrics and textures, so don’t be afraid of matching a rather slouchy spring sweater with a denim hot red skirt and some pointy-toe heels. Such an outfit, styled with well-chosen animal print will take you places, from your day office job to the late night dinner you have scheduled. If you pick a red power suit for the office or a social event, mix it with some black accents for an edgy and Oriental touch.

3. The pearl parade

Audrey Hepburn taught us that all you need in life is a black dress and a pearl necklace. Modern times, while still loving the little black dress, expanded their horizons and came up with monochromatic blue outfits in shimmering hues and comfortable designs, or, to the contrary, with glamorous patterns and luxurious fabrics in intricate designs.

A white freshwater choker pearl necklace can pump up any monochromatic outfit, be it dark in color or even pastel. Pearls made a huge comeback this year on runways, so do yourself a favor and get a high-quality pearl jewelry set or a necklace and style all your office, casual or party outfits Liz Taylor style!

4. Mint is the new black

One of the rules you need to remember is that you shouldn’t look like a crayon when trying to pull off a monochromatic outfit. In color theory, monochromatic color schemes mean wearing shades and hues of the same base color. Add this to the hot mint trends we have seen on the catwalks since 2016, and you get a pretty good idea of what to wear this season. Matching hues of luminous mint, fresh pistachio or icy mint is not enough, however, to pull off an exquisite summer look. Black accessories such as a tote or a pair of strappy sandals and sunglasses add some edge and formalism to an otherwise relaxed and sweet look — a match made in heaven for office days and casual girls’ night out sessions after work.

5. The sneaker attack!

Sneakers have been in fashion for a very long time – and we mean high-fashion, of course. A full monochrome outfit can be styled up by a pair of white low-top sneakers. And since white goes with everything you can think of, your mono dresses, skinny trousers or slouchy layered outfits will get that edge they need to turn heads no matter where you go.