3 Simple Tips for When to Colour Block vs Monochrome

Hi Everyone,

Standing in front of the mirror the other day scrutinising over yet another outfit I realised there really are those times when it’s more fun to go for a colour block look rather than  monochrome.

Definitions:

Colour block – taking colors that are opposites on the colour wheel and pairing them together to make interesting and complementary colour combinations.

Monochrome – an outfit made out of a single hue/colour tone.

It’s not that monochrome can ever look bad. However as the weather lifts why not let your outfit lift too. Monochrome is great for colder months – especially if you wear bright, solid red’s or yellows. However wearing monochrome tends to give an outfit a more serene feel.

Adding a white blouse to the otherwise darker toned skirt, instantly lifts the outfit and gives the whole outfit a much more summery feel to it.

Keep reading for 3 simple tips for when to colour-block vs monochrome.

 

3 Simple Tips for When to Colour Block vs Monochrome

1. When wearing darker colours in Summer

It’s not that it is wrong to monochrome darker colours in Summer but it does give the outfit a Wintery feel to it. Especially in Europe it pays to make the most of whatever Summer we get.

Keep your outfit cheerful for as long as possible – the colder weather will be back before we know it.

2. When wearing light colours in Winter

With the exception of Winter white, wearing a light pastel monochrome outfit in Winter has a high chance of looking very out of place.

I have the most horrific memories of going to work wearing a pale blue suit on days I thought the sun would shine. Then when it ended up being a cold grey day I really was simply “dressed wrong” the whole day long. Don’t put yourself through the agony is all I can advise!

Even with a Winter white outfit – make sure the thickness to the material makes up for the light colour in Winter.

3. When wearing pale earthy tones

Unless you are fabulously tanned, or even then, a monochrome outfit made up of one pale earthy tone is likely to end up looking like a non-event.

Not to spare however the fun thing about earthy tones is that these colours look great by simply wearing different shades in one outfit.

I’ll let you decide which you prefer for Summer – the khaki with khaki or khaki skirt teamed with a splash of white to give the outfit a more summery feel.

 

Outfit details:

Khaki shirt and skirt – MKT. Studio made out of organic cotton.

White Shirt – Golden Carrot Shoes and More

Belt – available here

Bags – Atelier Avanzar, made by women for women in Ecuador

15% off bags with code FUNKYFORTYFRIENDS

Glasses – Marcus Marienfeld, handmade in Switzerland, he will make any frames you desire!

Mules – old, similar available here

 

---

 

Subscribe to Blog via Email

 

Sign up for the FunkyForty newsletter for regular Fashion and Lifestyle updates!