How to Dress Monochromatically


The Challenge
The challenge today should be "trying to get decent photographs", ugh! 
I was trying to get a black background to get an inverse shot of the inspiration piece, so started my photos at my front doors.  Because of the glass, the reflections were all over the place!  Next, I thought I'd stand of front of greenery and have a "dark" background.  That wasn't bad, just not the look I had hoped for.  In the end, I threw up my hands and headed for the garage door!  Too bad I don't get paid for this--ha!  

[This post should have gone "live" last week.  I was away taking my daughter to school and it didn't auto post, so I thought I'd leave it for this week.  #newbloggerproblems]

The for-real challenge is joining the ladies at Style Imitating Art hosted by Jen at Librarian for Life and StyleSalazar from 14 Shades of Gray and (this week) Daneal at Living Outside the Stacks.  Deanal has selected Portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.   Here is the regal Madame X (Virginie Amélie Avegno).


I decided this would be the perfect time to discuss dressing monochromatically and/or tonally.

My method of dressing monochromatically or tonally is to throw everything on in the color you are going with and see what happens.  It's been my experience that it turns out well most of the time.  When it doesn't turn out, it generally has to do with proportions.  With my outfit, today, I would probably not wear these pieces together.  Since the pants already have a lot of fabric, the top and cardigan add more on top.  I would prefer a trimmed down top half, and I'm sure you would, too.  We're embracing it today, though!

Below is the closest photo in my estimation.


The Details
For this challenge I decided to select Virginie's hair and use its color as my interpretation for this outfit and the straps of her dress inspired my jewelry selection.  I really wanted to use black or the golden beige as background, but it wasn't meant to be.  Included are my current love, Eileen Fisher pants, Lucky Brand top, Chico's cardigan (over dyed red, previously it was a sherbet-colored orange), Clare V. clutch.  

The Takeaway
As always, head for your closet!  What is your favorite color?  Or, what colors do you seem to keep buying?  Start layering them on!  You could always go a 100% matching route, but I think there's a little more interest if the colors have some variance.  One word of caution, if it looks like you tried to match exactly, but the colors are "off" you may have to redo your look.




Another Layer for Tonal Dressing





Outfit Details
Lucky Brand Tank (Plus), Eileen Fisher Lantern Pants, Chico's Cardigan (similar), Leopard Pumps (similar), Clare V.  Leopard Clutch (less expensive option)

 Stay Fierce!  Kim
Linking with:  Start the Week StylishCreative Mondays Blog HopHow I Summer, Visible Monday, Style With a Smile, Fashion Fun Friday

9 comments

  1. Good advice and a really great monochromatic look, Kim. Thanks for linking up, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. It's not very precise, but it is doable! Thanks, Patti!

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  2. I've been finally experimenting with monochromatic and it's fun!! I love that you went with a different color than black---super, Kim!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    Replies
    1. You're right--it is fun! I don't even own black.

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  3. Lovely color combo! You look radiant!

    Edwige | http://www.hypnozglam.com

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  5. I like those colours together! Isn't it just awful when photos don't come out as good as you thought! But on this background it looks good!

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  6. Those colors are great on you and dressing mono-chromatically is such a smart way to stretch a wardrobe.

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