The Style Debate: Monochrome Vs. Color

I find color exhilarating

The choice of combinations is endlessly interesting. It feels equally important to live in color, whether that’s in your home or your clothes. Color can set a mood or a tone – lift it up or bring it down. I feel better when I make the effort and try colors out, making it feel personal and yet unexpected at the same time. I think that as one gets older, you can become a little afraid of color – and I understand – but most nice comments come when you have played around a bit and broken out.

My base-camp colors are khaki, tan, brown and navy…

…then I add a pop! It can be orange or electric blue – usually a layer under a coat, so there’s a sliver of the color showing through. I like styling a khaki sock with a yellow sneaker; a sky-blue shirt with a brown coat; red lipstick and green eyeliner in the summer – not huge color blocks, but something that feels subtle and significant.

I’m loving ‘off’ color combinations

They’re really stimulating and feel so fresh. Tobacco and yellow; lilac and red with a wonderful, sickly green. Strange and never too sweet – I think they look intelligent and strong, which is something to aim for!

My top tip for incorporating color is…

…to identify your signature color. Ask a friend, “What color suits me?” They usually know and have an opinion. For me, it’s green. It picks up on my slightly muddy khaki eyes. Then, incorporate that color in a small way – it could be an earring, a great cotton shirt, a sneaker that’s a little out of your comfort zone. Or, go bold. One standout piece, like a bright-red coat, is a brilliant mood booster.

My go-to brands for bold color are…

…Proenza Schouler, The Frankie Shop, Adidas Originals, Khaite and Dries Van Noten.

I’m drawn to wearing monochrome because…

…neutral colors make me feel effortless and put together. I prioritize clean lines and keeping the silhouette simple; however, monochrome pieces are very wearable regardless of cut and shape. They can easily be styled to create whatever look you’re going for.

My favorite black-and-white outfit right now is…

…a fitted white turtleneck paired with a black leather skirt and knee-high boots. A monochrome look can feel a bit plain, so my advice is to focus on creating more detail. The way to do that is by combining interesting materials and textures, or experimenting with different silhouettes and proportions.

For daytime, I often gravitate towards practical pieces…

…like tailored black pants and a T-shirt as a base. I can easily layer a silk shirt or an interesting knit over a T-shirt, which makes the look feel more intentional. For evening, I go for dresses with a classic silhouette and I style them with statement accessories that elevate the look.

My monochrome style inspiration?

The Calvin Klein collections from the early 2000s.

If I were to introduce more color into my wardrobe…

…it would be burgundy and brown. They are very easy to incorporate into a look with accessories.

My go-to brands for a chic monochrome look are…

…The Row, Róhe, Khaite and Toteme.