Want to make sure that your outfit matches? Well, wearing top-to-toe color is probably the easiest way to do that, while creating plenty of impact. Plus, monochrome looks happen to be very on trend right now. Take a look at these monochrome outfits, which use the same hue with monochrome clothes and accessories.
How to create a monochrome outfit
Using separates in the same color will create more drama, but you can always “cheat” with a dress or jumpsuit. If you really want to get the monochrome look, you’ll want to carry the color through to your shoes and accessories too.
Boma @mrs.gaf above chooses an all black outfit. She even carries the shade down to her toe nails! Black can be a tricky color to wear as it can be draining, but you could choose a white collar, and still achieve a monochrome look.
Get her outfit with this similar top, wide pants, sandals, bag, belt and earrings.
Tips for creating monochrome outfits
1. Choose your favorite, flattering color
You can create a monochrome outfit in any color at all. Choose your favorite – the color that lifts your mood and flatters your skintone.
Natalia @odin.stylish.me above chooses similar shades of blue from her shoes to her shirt, and adds a pop of green.
Recreate her outfit with this similar shirt, skirt, sandals, handbag, necklace and sunglasses.
2. You could rearrange your closet
If you feel that you never have anything to wear, you can shop your own closet by arranging it in a different way. Why not arrange everything by color, and then see if you can create outfits using the same color pathways.
Abi @stealmystyle40 above shows how you can create an outfit of whites and creams.
Steal her look with this similar T-shirt, jogger pants, sneakers, sweater and earrings.
Also look at how to rearrange your closet for lots of new outfit ideas.
3. Use different textures for your monochrome clothes
To make sure that your outfit of all one color doesn’t get boring, one tip is to use lots of different textures.
Jess @elegantlydressedandstylish above (read her style interview here) opts for an outfit of dark green, with the textures of lace, wool and her padded handbag.
Get her look with this similar cardigan, lace skirt, sandals, bag, earrings and brooch.
4. You can use different shades in your monochromatic outfit
All-one-color doesn’t necessarily mean the same shade. You can use the same color pathway but in different shades. For example, you can opt for black, white and gray. Or you can choose pale blues and navy.
Patricia @madamechicbcn above (read her style interview here) chooses different shades of brown and beige. She adds interest with the fluffy texture of her cardigan, and the print on her hat.
Check out this similar top, cardigan, pants, sneakers, beret and sunglasses.
5. Suits will always work for monochrome style
If you aren’t sure how to put together a monochrome outfit, then a suit will always work, and suits are very much on trend this season. Choose a suit in a color that you wouldn’t necessarily wear to the office.
Melissa @melissabultburns above chooses a bold, pink look, and matches her suit to the stripes in her blouse.
Recreate her outfit with this similar blouse, blazer, trousers (similar suit set) and sneakers.
Monochrome outfits for you to try
Now, let’s take a look at some stylish monochrome examples:
A bright suit
J.Crew is a good place to look for bright suits, like the orange jacket and pants (below). You can keep the look casual with a t-shirt and sneakers. Or, you can dress up the look with heels and a silk blouse or camisole.
J.Crew Willa Blazer – J.Crew Essential Pant – Liverpool Stripe Slim Fit T-Shirt – New Balance® 327 Sneakers – ALDO Drinna Faux Leather Crossbody Bag – Madewell Tangled Huggie Earrings
Also look at our article on color combinations to wear with orange.
Emerald green
Green is very much on trend at the moment, and looks lovely for summer. If you have events or parties coming up, you could opt for a green dress.
Fraiche by J Puff Sleeve Faux Wrap Maxi Dress – Sanctuary Admire Asymmetric Strappy Sandal – Kurt Geiger London Small Shoreditch Convertible Crossbody Bag – Nadri Omega Collar Necklace – Monica Vinader Siren Bezel Set Drop Earrings
There are more tips here in this article on how to wear green.
Bright red
Red will always get you noticed for all the right reasons and is flattering for all skintones. A red maxi dress is a glamorous, but easy way to get a red monochrome look for summer.
If red isn’t your thing, the Loveappella maxi dress (below) comes in 10 different shades, so you can choose your favorite color.
Loveappella V-Neck Jersey Maxi Dress – Sam Edelman Bay Cutout Slide Sandal – L.L.Bean Zip Top Boat & Tote Bag – MapofBeauty Braided Rope Tornado Necklace
You’ll find more tips and red outfits in this article on how to wear red – a comprehensive guide which also includes a video on choosing your best shade of red.
A blue dress to dress up or down
Cos is a good go-to if you want timeless clothes with a bit of an edge that you can dress up or down, depending on the occasion. You could easily wear the ruched dress (below) for day or night.
COS Gathered Midi Dress – TOMS Marisela Wedge Sandal – HOBO Sheila Crossbody – Stella + Ruby Stone Drop Earrings
Shades of beige
Beige has an unfair reputation for being boring. But, it definitely doesn’t have to be. Choose different shades and textures to put together a neutral outfit. Plus, you can keep your look hip with a moto jacket.
AllSaints Dalby Leather Biker Jacket – Reiss Haley Silk Button-Up Shirt – Nordstrom High Waist Wide Leg Pants – Nine West Milday Ankle Strap Sandal – Solene Foldover Clutch – BaubleBar Klara Necklace
You might also want to look at our article on how to wear beige over 40.
Light and dark blue
As you will have a pair of blue jeans in your closet, they can be an easy starting point for a monochrome blue outfit. You could choose a similar blue to your jeans or a paler shade.
J.Crew Willa Blazer – Cinq à Sept Lorainne Ruched Dolman Sleeve Silk Top – Nili Lotan Corette High Waist Wide Leg Jeans – Mettesally Kitten Heels Suede Pump – Kate Spade New York Morgan Saffiano Double Leather Crossbody Bag – J.Crew Faceted Stone Necklace
For more tips, check our article on how to wear jeans over 40.
Black and white
Mixing black with white is always a classic color palette. To make sure the black doesn’t drain your skintone, you could keep the white towards your face.
Cinq à Sept Ayala Braided Cotton Blend Jacket – Massimo Dutti Cotton T-Shirt – Vince Camuto Wide Leg Trousers – Massimo Dutti Leather Flats – Proenza Schouler White Label Small Accordian Flap Leather Shoulder Bag – Jane Stone Teardrop Bib Bubble Necklace
Also look at our articles on how to wear black and white.
Monochrome made for you
An easy way to get a monochrome look is to choose a ready-made outfit. The AllSaints dress (below) comes with a matching sweater.
AllSaints Sassi Strappy Sain Slipdress with Crop Sweater – Schutz Binky Strappy Slingback Sandal – Dasein Suede Evening Clutch – Open Edit Hoop Drop Earrings
Shades of gray
Mixing shades of gray can give you a professional look. Or, for evening, you could always mix gray with silver.
Cole Haan Classic Belted Trench Coat – Veronica Beard Keora Poplin Button-Up Shirt – ANINE BING Classic Pant – David Tate Colette Cap Toe Pump – ANINE BING Colette Bag – Tory Burch Eleanor Small Hoop Earrings
Read our guide on how to wear gray over 40.
Monochrome capsule
Below, you can see the monochrome outfits from above together in one capsule. On days when you want to mix things up a little, you could always wear the colors with each other to create more looks.
Shop the monochrome outfits below
Continue reading:
- How To Wear Red – Your Comprehensive Guide On Wearing The Color Of Love!
- How To Wear Green – Which Of These Color Palettes And Outfits Is Your Favorite?
- My Secrets On How To Color Block Your Outfits Effortlessly
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Feature image by Natalia @odin.stylish.me
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