When I first learned about the whole length-balancing thing, I was pretty confused. For one, I tried to measure everything to the inch, which is not at all necessary. Later I learned that there are a finite number of classic formulas, like a knee-length skirt or dress, and within an inch or two is close enough. If I happen to have more creative energy, I can do something more complicated.
My other error was thinking that all this color combining stuff meant that monochromatic outfits were not good. Not so! Monochromatic outfits are still a great way to look slim and put together. And with a dress or a suit, an all one color look, length-balancing isn’t really an issue. (Just for fun, I’m going to try illustrating this post with maternity clothes. Anybody want to announce they are expecting?)
Do:
- Wear shoes the color of your hair.
- Choose a flattering color.
- Choose a boring color. Or worse, one that blends with your skin tone. From a distance, you could end up looking naked!
- Wear a monochromatic look from shoulder to mid-thigh. It halves the body.
Thanks, eternalvoyageur, for suggesting the topic. And since I’m not so much an embellishment person, do any of you readers have favorite “accessorizing the monochromatic outfit” tips?
Wear an anklet? They don’t distract from the face the way necklaces sometimes do and they’re less annoying than bracelets.
My fav accesory for a monochromatic dress would be one long bold necklace. If the outfit is neaural, I’d go for a splash of colour. If the outfit is colourful, I go for a metallic, wood, or similar piece.
Rebecca, it’s fantastic that you wrote this piece ! However my thirst for fashion wisdom is not yet satiated. How about a more complex outfit in one colour: say trousers, a top, scarf and cardigan ? What is that thin line between elegant sophistication and matchy-matchy desparation ?
Are there any rules of matching different shades and intensities of the same colour ? And what about wearing the same colour but contrasting fabrics ?
“Wear shoes the color of your hair. ”
Please expand! This looks great in the photos, but I’d never have thought of it and want to know how it works. (And DOES it work if a gal is very dark-haired or a redhead?)
I’m thinking some of the answer to EV’s question has to involve texture differences, but that may be because I keep seeing the husband go past in olive shorts with an olive henley. But my monochrome black outfits also do texture changes, and when I haven’t had a shift of texture from skirt to blazer, it’s been MORE obvious that I wasn’t wearing a real suit.
Actually, ev, I’m sorry to say I don’t know any rules off the top of my head for those sorts of combinations. The trick, I would say, is not to clash; easier said than done, unless you buy coordinates. Different shades and intensities of the same color generally blend well, and then you just use the standard rules of length-balancing and approximating your own color contrast.
I’ll have to mull it over a little. There’s probably another post in there.
dr wende – good point about the texture shift giving greater latitude with non-matching blacks.
I’ll post something about wearing shoes the color of your hair. 🙂
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