Matching sets are everywhere [1], but at Fashion Week [2], we scoped out the street style [3] and determined that the DIY [4] version is just as cool. Otherwise known as the monochrome outfit, the look consists of all one colour, but perhaps in varying tones or different materials. (So your green cable-knit sweater might be a few shades darker than your kelly-lime trousers, for example.) We highly suggest you jump on the bandwagon and capture the trend in your arsenal of quick-trick outfits for Spring — especially because this may not even require any shopping.
Take a peek in your closet, and it's safe to say you'll have at least one pair of pants or a skirt in your power colour. Now check your tops. It's there too, right? Ahead, we've rounded up some genius ways to style out this look so you're less matchy-matchy than you would be if you were wearing a combination that actually came together. Plus, in full monochrome, passersby have every reason to bestow you with compliments since you put this outfit together on your own. Scroll down to find your favourite take on the trend, and shop for some basics if you need to while you're at it.
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Red monochrome outfit: Style a ribbed cropped knit over roomy red leather pants and complete with white sneakers.
Mango Ribbed Knit Sweater
Mango Ribbed Knit Sweater [6] ($30, originally $60)
Stand Studio Zoe leather straight-leg pants
Stand Studio - Zoe leather straight-leg pants [7] ($500)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Orange monochrome outfit: Tuck a cosy, oversize ribbed cowlneck into your wide leg trousers.
NAADAM Wool Cashmere Oversized Ribbed Turtleneck Burnt Orange
NAADAM Wool Cashmere Oversized Ribbed Turtleneck Burnt Orange [8] ($195)
Topshop Boutique Wide Leg Wool Trousers
Topshop Boutique Wide Leg Wool Trousers [9] ($170)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Tan monochrome outfit: Start with a coffee-coloured turtleneck, then add a button-front suede skirt. Your knee-high snake print boots ought to take a slightly darker tone to ground out the separates, and you can finish with a khaki-coloured bucket hat.
Missguided Tall Tan Rib Roll Neck Tuck Sleeve Jumper
Missguided - Tall Tan Rib Roll Neck Tuck Sleeve Jumper [10] ($42)
Walter Baker Camel Yuki two-tone suede skirt
Walter Baker Camel Yuki two-tone suede skirt [11] ($174, originally $348)
River Island Brown leather snake print knee high boots
River Island Brown leather snake print knee high boots [12] ($220)
CLYDE Shearling bucket hat
CLYDE - Shearling bucket hat [13] ($298)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Cream monochrome outfit: Unbutton half your oversize jacket to give way to fitted, front-slit pants in the same tone. Complete with a brighter white mule.
Remain quilted shirt style jacket
Remain quilted shirt style jacket [14] ($340)
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Maeve Slit Hem Crosby Cotton Twill Flare Trousers
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Maeve Slit Hem Crosby Cotton Twill Flare Trousers [15] ($375)
Bottega Veneta Puffy Intreccio Square Mules
Bottega Veneta Puffy Intreccio Square Mules [16] ($1,270)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Green monochrome outfit: Wear a crisply tailored, cropped green trouser with a cable-knit green sweater half-tucked into the waist. Make sure your greens aren't the exact same hue, and finish with a contrasting heel in a neutral shade to mute the brightness, if you so choose.
Shein Turtle Neck Cable Knit Fringe Trim Sweater
Shein Turtle Neck Cable Knit Fringe Trim Sweater [17] ($26)
ASOS DESIGN Curve balloon leg pants with lace up back in green
ASOS DESIGN Curve balloon leg pants with lace up back in green [18] ($19, originally $48)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Pink monochrome outfit: Layer your furry or textured pink coat over magenta trousers. Start with a foundation of a black t-shirt and bring the outfit full circle with your tried and trusted black leather booties.
Avec Les Filles Faux-Fur Coat
Avec Les Filles Faux-Fur Coat [19] ($30, originally $190)
CocooVe Sofia Wide Leg Trouser In Magenta
CocooVe Sofia Wide Leg Trouser In Magenta [20] ($106, originally $151)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Black monochrome outfit: An all-black outfit isn't boring when your ribbed sweater has a cool shoulder detail, or is slightly off-kilter, and your baggy leather pants give way to a sophisticated pump.
RtA Beckett Sweater
RtA Beckett Sweater [21] ($295)
Zara Leather Pants
Zara Leather Pants [22] ($229)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Gray monochrome outfit: You can mix and match many different shades of grey, beginning with a taupe bodysuit and contrasting your blazer and trouser just a touch. Bring the full look together with silver glitter accessories, like pumps and a minibag.
Shein Double Button Striped Cuff Raglan Sleeve Blazer
Shein Plus Double Button Striped Cuff Raglan Sleeve Blazer [23] ($19, originally $25)
Skims Sculpting Bodysuit
Skims Sculpting Bodysuit [24] ($62)
Mango Slit Hem Pants
Mango Slit Hem Pants [25] ($40, originally $80)
BY FAR Kendall glittered leather-trimmed mesh slingback pumps
BY FAR - Kendall glittered leather-trimmed mesh slingback pumps [26] ($138, originally $460)
Wandler Yara Box Mini glitter shoulder bag
Wandler Yara Box Mini glitter shoulder bag [27] ($560)
How to Wear a Monochrome Outfit
Ivory monochrome outfit: Style a thick cable-knit cardigan with wide-leg corduroys. Add an extra layer with the arms of a second sweater — in the same shade! — tied loosely around your neck.
New Look cable knit cardigan in off white
New Look cable knit cardigan in off white [28] ($39)
Topshop Corduroy Wide Leg Trousers
Topshop Corduroy Wide Leg Trousers [29] ($68)