All for one: attempts at wearing all one color

3/10/2014

Dear OMF:
I thought of a fashion problem today that I have.... dressing in the same color but different shades. For example, light grays & dark grays... or white mixed with cream or beige. I just can't figure out how to do this. I could use advice &help!!! --Rach

Dear Rach:
Thank you so much for asking me! Dressing all in one color conveys a special elegance, & many women take advantage of the drama of dressing all in black with little trouble. It gets a bit more tricky, I think, when we immerse ourselves in other colors like navy, white, denim, & burgundy.

I believe the trick in assembling outfits all in one color is to include varied textures, embellishments, or accents.

Here are models & my attempts at creating outfits all in one color...

All in Black
These all-one-color outfits from French Connection work with ease
because of the varied textures: lace, sheer, & leather.

French Connection Russo Lace Sleeveless Top, $138, & Nevada leather skirt, $298

French Connection Nomad Silk Top, $138, & Megan Leather Biker Leggings, $229

All black looks great with gray or with an accent color

Garnet Hill Eileen Fisher Herringbone Jacket., $199

My attempts
I like wearing all black with an accent of gray or white...

Ancient Banana Republic black sheath

Victoria's Secret black pants & sweater

Pinks & shades of wine
I love pairing two shades of pink or rosé. The look is so fresh & springy!

Does she need the necklace & silver flats? The elements of the outfit are fairly plain, so I'd say yes.

Outfit from Talbots

Garnet Hill Horizonal-Cable Cashmere Sweater, $138, & Red Engine Cayenne Skinny Jeans in Amethyst, $99

My attempts

Anthropologie sweater, H&M cords

H&M skirt, Victoria's Secret top, GAP maternity cardigan

I know it looks like I'm wearing a dress above, but it's actually two separates. The studs on the collar & the embossing on the skirt helps break up the color & the long cardigan helps tie it together.

All in navy...
I believe the trick in wearing all navy is in embellishments to break up the stream of color. The outfit from J. Crew on the left below works because of the beaded placket & the zips on the skirt pockets. Her outfit, of course, works much better than mine, but I think the ruffles are what help my attempt.

From J. Crew catalog

Outfit from J. Crew

My attempt

Maternity top from Pea in the Pod & Victoria's Secret navy pants

Whites & winter whites...
I do love all white or white with beige or taupe--it reminds me of a clean, cool outfit for the beach. Seems to me the trick is to add one small element in a different color--like a belt, a necklace, or a scarf. Varied textures & varied shades of white also help, &, of course, you can always pair taupe or sand with white.

Anthropologie Twisted & Pleated Tee

From Boden

J. Crew Outlet outfit including Factory white button-down shirt, $39.50

My attempt

Urban Outfitters BDG jeans, GAP off-white sweater, Garnet Hill girls' scarf

Fifty shades of grey
Now I've never had trouble with greys. I think you can wear any shade of grey with any other, in any combination, without doing anything to break it up. I think because grey is a marled color, it creates its own texture & color variation.