Heading into midsummer, nothing could be hotter (or more effortless) than dressing head-to-toe in a singular tone, Odessa Paloma Parker reports. Even better, it’s a trend with legs: Monochromatic schemes were shown on the fall 2015 runways, which means that, with a little strategic layering in cooler weather, the look will stay sharp for months. Photography by Mark Binks
An all-white ensemble need not look clinical. Stick to pieces with intriguing silhouettes – such as Pink Tartan’s asymmetrical blouse (centre) and Ann Taylor’s paneled bucket-style tote bag – to up the wow factor. Referencing different eras is another way to lift a tonal outfit; here, Sunday Somewhere’s modish sunglasses offset a prim bobby-soxer-style blouse-and-skirt-combo.
Left: Dress, $69.95 at Le Château. Earrings, $99, ring, $69 at Swarovski. Leather cuff, $32.99 at Banana Republic. Bag, $98 at Ann Taylor. Shoes, $80 at Aldo. Centre: Pink Tartan top, $195 at Holt Renfrew. Necklace, $124 at Banana Republic. Skirt, $69.95 at Le Château. Shoes, $70 at Aldo. Right: Bruno Cucinelli dress shirt, $1,350 at Holt Renfrew. Skirt, $70 at Addition Elle. Sunglasses $280 at Sunday Somewhere. Shoes, $80 at Aldo.
When it comes to tone-on-tone dressing, red has surprising range. Even a deep, blue-based crimson piece, like the Banana Republic top shown here (centre), can be brightened up by an orangey variant such as coral. At the opposite end of the spectrum, brown-based tones such as rust and oxblood play up red’s neutral side.
Left: Leather top, $925 at Malene Birger. Shorts, $62 at Banana Republic. Ring, $145 at Swarovski. Shoes, $70 at Aldo. Centre: Tank, $62 at Banana Republic. Tank (worn underneath), $28 at Addition Elle. Smythe jacket, $695 at Holt Renfrew. Skirt, $39.99 at H&M. Shoes, $80, necklace, $12 at Aldo. Right: Blouse, $216 at Whitney Linen. Skirt, $69.90 at Express. Watch, $295 at Domeni Co. Shoes, $80 at Aldo.
A safari-inspired ensemble requires punctuation; otherwise, it can look washed-out. Eye-catching details such as the fringe on this Danier clutch (centre) and the perforated peplum waist of an Akris jacket (right) add the requisite dimension.
Left: Shirt dress, $59.85 at H&M. Belt, $29 at Danier. Necklace, $459 at Swarovski. Centre: Jumpsuit, $89.50 at LOFT. Fringe bag, $69 at Danier. Necklace, $150 at Caroline Néron. Right: Akris jacket, $1,830 at Holt Renfrew. Pants, $72 at Addition Elle. Earrings, $125 at Caroline Néron. Ring, $55 at Banana Republic.
Deep shades work just as well as pastels and neutrals in monochromatic dressing and give casual ensembles more edge. The trick to avoiding a flat effect when donning dark hues like cobalt or navy is to choose pieces with novel textures like fringe pockets (left) or puffy patterning (centre).
Left: Sleeveless collar shirt, $39.95 at Le Château. Dress, $89.95 at LOFT. Wireless headphones, $109.99 at Jabra. Centre: Sweater, $58 at Addition Elle. Skirt, $350 at Comrags. Sunglasses, $326 at Karen Walker. Right: Necklace, $1,150 at Swarovski. Blouse, $39.90 at Express. Trousers, $95 at Banana Republic. Bag, $348 at Michael Kors.
Think pink is too sweet for your taste? Cut the sugar by layering in a fresh hue like the salmon of this cropped-sleeve coat from Tristan (left). For a subtler flick at the trend, pair a textural shift with a simple belt in the same hue (centre). Or go glam by adding more than one over-the-top accessory – see the statement necklace and bejewelled clutch here, at right – in matching shades.
Left: Jacket, $129.99, skirt, $95 at Tristan. Top, $74, bracelet, $50 at Banana Republic. Shoes, $70 at Aldo. Centre: Dress, $169.90 at RW&CO. Rings, $12 for set of six at Aldo. Belt, $35 at Danier. Shoes, $80 at Aldo. Right: Top, $59 at Ann Taylor. Skirt, $110 at Banana Republic. Shoes, $80, necklace, $30, bag, $40 at Aldo. Phone case, $40 at Felony. Chair, $435 (U.S.) though innitdesigns.com.
Photo shoot credits: Styling by Tricia Hall/judyinc.com. Makeup by Misty Fox. Hair by Adriano Morassut for Kevin Murphy/Plutino Group.