We know that fit always comes first, but choosing the color is undeniably an important aspect in fashion, as well. Complementing various colors can often be challenging, but it is what you need to do for your outfit to stand out from the crowd.
Monochrome means “one color.” You can rock a “monochromatic outfit” by wearing clothes of the same color, or similar shades at least. You can create some eye-catching outfits by choosing contrast colors like black, white, and grey from your wardrobe.
Styling Tips
The most simplistic clothing combinations can often be what truly makes a statement. Sometimes what you need is an easy outfit that looks effortless and put together. Mixing in different textures and fabrications can add interest and features to your outfit.
If you are going for a monochromatic style, remember these few tips:
- Choose a tertiary color from which you will create your overall colour palette. It can be from shades (base color plus black), tones (base color plus grey), or tints (base color plus white). You can also use online tools like Adobe colour wheel to generate your colour palette by playing with hue, saturation, and lightness. Print it out as a reference you can use when you go shopping.
- Wear darker shades on areas you want to hide, and lighter colors on areas you wish to accentuate. Also, the lighter item should go on top with darker items towards the bottom.
- Don’t go overboard by pushing yourself to wear a single color – you might just look awkward. For instance, if you are wearing a navy blue top, try to add a twist by pairing it with dark blue pants or something with a touch of a different color (blue with black stripes). As for the shoes, wear black shoes or brown loafers as they are a great way to add polish to a monochromatic outfit without looking stuffy or overdressed.
- Base your color choice on your skin undertone. We all have a basic understanding of what colors look best on them. So if you want to play safe, opt for these instead of experimenting with new ones.
How To Wear Monochrome Outfits?
↓ 26. Best Shoes For Monochrome Style
Brown and black Chelsea suede boots are best for winter. Pair them off with your overcoats and scarves, and always consider matching the colors. Brown Chelsea go well with earth tone trench coats. However, put them away if you are dressing for hot weather and casual occasions and get those white sneakers instead.
↓ 25. All-Brown Suits
It is not necessary to wear an all-brown outfit when wearing a suit for a formal occasion. Instead, you can layer a white roll-neck sweater with a beige vest and a dark brown Ralph Lauren blazer. I suggest you match the coat to your shoes. In this case, both of them are of the same shade. The pants can be khaki chino pants, a shade that is perfect for the overall look.
For semi-formal events, it is also a good idea to go full brown sometimes. But don’t go overboard – as you can see in this photo, the turtleneck’s shade is the same as the trousers, but the peacoat is lighter. Finish off the look with some white sneakers to make the style less formal; brown suede boots would be awkward for this outfit.
↓ 24. All-Green Casual Outfit
Don a monochromatic casual look by wearing a green pullover and shorts of the same shade. Consider wearing white trainers, so you are comfortable for your morning stroll around the block. This outfit is also best for days when you’re out grocery shopping.
↓ 23. All-Red Outfits
Red looks good in monochrome, especially when touched with white. Puma Sports Style pants, a red blazer, and a white tanktop create a hot vibe when paired up together. Wear them with Puma suede classic shoes with the same color palette, and you’re in for an iconic monochromatic look. If you like this look, I highly recommend that you check out our collection of Outfits with Red Pants.
This is a suit that consists of Jersey Cuello Cisne Caldera, Americana Cruzada Caldera, and Pantalon Gurkha Caldera from Pure Ego. Wearing this outfit would make you look like a real gentleman and prepare you to be confident enough for that formal event you’re attending.
↓ 22. Monochromatic Outfits For Teenagers
Mango has a great collection of monochromatic outfits, including garments for contemporary urban teens. If you are a teenager looking for monochrome clothes, you can check on these products: a technical fabric sweatshirt and trousers. Complete the style with a black nylon backpack for your essentials, especially if you are rocking this style on school days. They even have a waterproof jacket – perfect for rainy days and Mondays.
You can also opt for streetwear like this outfit consisting of a Nike pullover paired up with slacks of the same shade.
↓ 21. Monochromatic Work-from-home Outfit
As someone working on a home setup, you need to wear clothes that aren’t only in style but can also provide comfort for your 9-5 shift. This loungewear consisting of a rollneck sweater and wool trousers will get you through long hours of sitting behind the desk without getting cold and stiff. This style is also suitable for slumber parties and Netflix-and-chill sessions with friends.
↓ 20 – All-Grey Suit
You may already be aware that darker shades like grey are business-appropriate. Always choose a slim cut blazer or overcoat and layer it with a vest and a white Oxford button-down. Wear a black tie and not anything else. You can accessorize a bit with the best sunglasses you got there. Remember that this is a formal outfit and shouldn’t be ruined with inappropriate accessories.
↓ 19 – Monochromatic Semi-formal Outfit
A grey suit is suitable for corporate occasions and workdays. Add touches of black through your shirt by layering a Tom Ford suit with a black turtleneck shirt. This is perfect for someone new to this style who doesn’t want to push that “one-color” style. Black shoes or brogues will complete the look.
↓ 18 – Black And White Casual Outfit
Don this casual outfit – throw a black peacoat on a white rollneck sweater.
This outfit will look best in the autumn season. Wear a white button-down and tuck it in your pants. Finish off the look with white sneakers like these ones from Clarks Shoes.
↓ 17 – Black And White Party Outfit
Style a black quilted gilet from Topman with slim-fit white chino pants and a white classic hoodie to show you’re dressed up to get down. The vest will level up your ensemble by adding a little flavor to the plainness of being in an all-white outfit.
↓ 16 – Black And White Semi-formal Outfit
Aside from suits, a simple combo of black slacks and a white button-down is a classic and standard dress code for semi-formal and corporate occasions. This can also be your go-to workwear – you’ll not go wrong with this outfit choice.
↓ 15 – All-white Outfit
Mix and match similar shades of white. These off-white color trousers will give you the visual texture you need to pull it off. For instance, wear a cream shearling-lined jacket from H&M and layer it with white chinos and a plain white tee. The jacket neutralizes the boringness of being in an all-white outfit without using colors out of the color palette.
↓ 14 – All-black Outfits
Make an impression without trying too hard, whether it’s a date or a meeting with a client. Wear a zip-up suede bomber layered with a black tee from Uniqlo, and wear them with black pants like this pair from Burberry.
Nothing looks more elegant than a man in a black suit, and monochrome style is a perfect chance to don a formal look without going off the grid. Make it less formal by styling the suit with a turtleneck shirt, and put the tie away in the meantime. Also, wear the blazer open, but the undershirt must be kept tucked in at all times.
An all-black style can be achieved with a simple outfit combo of a black turtleneck sweater tucked in black jeans. Here are some more ideas on How to Wear Turtlenecks.
↓ 13 – Aesthetic Monochromatic Outfit
Hashtag outfit-of-the-day! Wear a sweater with fancy prints and bizarre patterns but don’t forget to play by the rules of monochrome style. Aesthetic monochrome outfits can be consist of flannels and plaids, as well.
↓ 12 – Brown Streetwear
Brown gives a military vibe as the veterans wore it during wars back then. Try to style a syrup bomber jacket with a plain white T-shirt and wear them with tortilla cargo pants. This outfit is most suitable for blonde guys.
↓ 11 – Monochromatic Denim Outfit
NEVER wear two pieces of denim with the same shade. It looks awkward and not to mention laughable. A medium wash denim jacket with light-wash straight-fit Bob jeans from Mango will look just fine. Your best undershirt option is a white tee, and so is the footwear.
You can replace the denim jacket with a cotton linen-blend regular fit shirt in a baby blue shade, and then pair it up with light blue jeans. Remember to tuck the shirt in and roll up the sleeves the right way. There is no need to wear a belt as the outfit looks better without it.
↓ 10 – Navy Suit
The first option is to pick two navy pieces – they don’t have to match perfectly. Another option is to wear a suit with the same navy shades from head to toe. Pair it off with T-shirts, polos, and button-downs in the office. Finish it off with black dress shoes or brogues.
↓ 9 – Monochromatic Blue Streetwear
If you want to rock a casual outfit in cooler seasons, try this Egyptian blue peacoat worn open with a plain white T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Keep the coat buttoned when the temperature falls.
↓ 8. Monochromatic Athleisure Outfits
Limit your options to cotton sweatshirts and hoodies, tapered joggers, lightweight bombers. For footwear, wear the appropriate workout or running shoes like trainers. Wear an all-ginger orange outfit, but you can add a touch of other colors through the shoes and cap. and it’s a slick move!
↓ 7. Monochromatic Summer Style
A monochromatic white look is the ultimate beach outfit. Summer is a great season for wearing white. Experiment with shades and textures of the same color for a sharp summer vibe that will keep you stylish.
↓ 6. Monochromatic Business Casual Outfit
Wear a cobalt blue suit and style it with a white undershirt. If you are with your boss or meeting a client, keep the blazer buttoned to show a sense of professionalism. Brown would make a good match to this color, but if what you have are black shoes, they look good all the same. RECOMMENDED: Business Casual Outfits For Men
↓ 5. Monochromatic Outfit For Plus-size Men
Large men will appear taller and slimmer by dressing head to toe in one colour as the line from the head to the toes is uninterrupted, elongating your silhouette. Take this guy’s outfit as an example: an ivory herringbone wool-blend topcoat layered with a cozy cable knit turtleneck sweater – all in harmonising shades of grey.
↓ 4. Travel Outfit
Consider wearing comfy and cozy outfits when traveling. Choose pieces that can protect you from the weather and other undesirable factors you might encounter along the way. An athleisure outfit consisting of a hoodie and jogger pants is perfect for long hours of flight and road trips.
↓ 3. Winter Outfit
Earth tones are perfect for the cold weather especially when styled well. For winter and fall seasons, arm yourself with the best and state-of-the-art outfits like this puffer jacket from Zara Man. It has features that can provide you the insulation and warmth you deserve. Layer it with a knitted sweater to achieve maximum protection and comfort you need to fight the freezing weather. RECOMMENDED: Winter Date Outfits For Men
↓ 2. College Outfit
This is suitable for both college students and professors. Brown has a humble vibe of authority, power, and professionalism, and they are exactly what you need when doing discussions. You can wear a double-breasted or a classic blazer in a walnut shade and layer it with a lighter shade – like a peanut or tortilla undershirt.
You can try these Bermuda shorts from Mango and pair them up with a zip-up jacket for an effortless everyday look.
↓ 1. Monochromatic Workout Wear
Nike’s collection of monochromatic sportswear, including this tracksuit. It is perfect for gym workouts and marathon sessions. I also recommend that you check out these Workout Outfits For Men.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are some monochrome clothing brands?
A. Nike has a collection of monochromatic sportswear. And if you are looking for casual outfits, you can check Uniqlo, H&M. Topman and Mango have loungewear and some garments suitable for school days. For suits and semi-formal wear, go to Tom Ford and Ralph Lauren.
Q. Why do people wear all-black outfits?
A. In psychology, the color black is an indicator of prestige, power, and intelligence. In fashion, it is trendy as it makes people appear slimmer. Black makes you look smart and elegant, making it suitable to wear for evening engagements and formal occasions.
