Hi Imogen, Could you give some examples of monochromatic dressing. I’ve only ever done it in black and I’m changing colours. Also, I never want to wear stockings again in my life (Winter an exception perhaps but I usually wear pants). How does one dress monochromatically in a summer dress? Or jeans and top and jacket. Do they all have to be the same colour?
Monochromatic means – one colour (or shades of the same colour), so when we think about dressing in a more monochromatic way to lengthen ourselves, we don’t want to create multiple horizontal lines with garment hems. There is no need to be completely one shade head to toe, as long as you create a column of colour through your body, you can still use other colours to make your outfit more interesting.
From left to right:
1. Similar colour in top, belt and skirt, nude shoes, then an alternate colour of cardigan.
2. Same or similar colour head to toe
3. Top and jeans in variations of a colour, not exactly the same, but not so different that it really attracts attention, keeping it in neutrals will draw less attention.
4. Dress with nude shoes
5. Dress with nude boots – alternatively in winter you could do a dark boot with a dark stocking.
Here are some more ideas which are slightly less monochromatic, but still ideas to play with that will make you look taller:
Use a vest to elongate, you can still add a colour underneath for variety.
A pattern that the dominant colour is repeated in the pants or skirt.
An open cardigan with similar coloured top and bottom.
An open cardigan or jacket that is similar to your bottom
thanks for this post, imogen! i’m quite short, but i’ve always thought monochromatic = boring, and haven’t wanted to go that way. these are great looks, though, and i’m starting to get the idea!
sometime could you do a post on body proportions about longer body/shorter legs? that’s where i’m getting stuck. i think some of these monochromatic looks with dresses could help, but i’m a sporty/relaxed dresser and i love my jeans. any ideas? thanks!
Jenni – have done some proportion dressing posts – will do some more!
This is a really great post. You did a good a really job with creating outfits that are monochromatic lengthening, but with depth and interest.
http://www.lenasblend.blogspot.com
Hi
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http://www.stylefig.com/blog STYLISH MUM’s
Yes, I like to use an inside monochromatic column, preferably a dark palette, to minimize tummy and an outside monochromatic column to reduce overall width. Usually, one or the other.
So to look *shorter*, avoid columns of colour, right?
Yes – if you want to look shorter, break up your body with more horizontals