Monochrome. It’s one of the secrets to looking effortlessly chic, and is such an easy way to elevate your look, without putting in a lot of effort. It’s a go-to style secret that I incorporate regularly into my outfits – it’s a street style favourite for good reason.
Wearing Grana cashmere sweater (similar), Topshop tie waist skirt (similar here), Everlane market tote bag, Chain bracelet, Miista suede heels (similar HERE and HERE)
I’ve been reaching for monochrome looks a lot lately, particularly as I’ve been experimenting with trying out a few different autumn styles, so I wanted to share four of my top tips for dressing in monochrome with ease.
Break out of your comfort zone
When it comes to wearing monochrome, all black is the easy option; it’s a fallback I’ve relied on so many times – it’s easy, effortless, and you can’t really go wrong with an all black look. So, break out of your comfort zone. Try something a little different like all white if your colour palette is more minimal or if you like earthy hues, go for a full khaki or camel-toned look.
Texture, texture, texture
My biggest tip for wearing monochrome is to play with texture. Instead of opting for a statement-making focal piece, it’s a more subtle way to add an element of interest to your outfit, with fabrics like satin, tweed boucle, linen, silk chiffon, wool or a classic cotton. For the outfit above, I’ve combined soft cashmere with a hardy cotton drill, and suede with leather. It’s a simple way to create a bit of depth to your outfit, while maintaining an element of subtle contrast.
Opt for playful accessories
I like to think of accessories as the finishing touch to an outfit, whether it’s a bold red lip, a flirty pair of earrings, a quirky shoe or an eye-catching ‘it’ bag. A playful accessory can draw some attention away from your full monochromatic look, and add a light hearted touch to your outfit. If you’re going for an all black look, try going all out and opt for something statement-making, like a clashing bag, or a vibrant pair of shoes.
Wear different hues of the same colour
When I’m going head to toe monochrome, I like to wear slightly varying shades of the same colour. It’s the simplest way to pull of the look, keeping the outfit from looking too ‘matchy-matchy’, while giving a bit of definition to each piece. While it wasn’t cool enough to reach for more layers the day we shot the above outfit, imagine it topped off with a gorgeous camel coat. It’s a pared back and understated look, but completely effortless and is nonchalant dressing at its finest.
