Tonal style

Dressing in one colour or varying shades of the same colour, known as tonal dressing, is a clever way to achieve a polished appearance. Here’s how.

Assembling a sophisticated outfit doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming, and dressing in a single colour is one way to look effortlessly chic. Known as tonal dressing, this styling trend can be mistaken for a lazy or overly simplistic way of dressing when, in fact, it’s a clever way to achieve a polished appearance.

Armed with a few styling tips from fashion experts, anyone can give this trend a go.

What is tonal dressing?

Tonal dressing generally refers to wearing the same colour, or varying shades of the same colour, from head to toe.

This can be achieved through matching pieces or by combining pieces made from different materials.

“Tonal dressing gives an effortless and put-together look. You can downplay your outfit or make a bold statement too,” said personal stylist Jude Stevens of Styling by Lumiere.

Whether you choose a neutral tone or a vibrant colour, tonal dressing creates a visually clean and uncluttered look.

“By dressing in one colour, you can make a statement without appearing too busy, and the monochromatic look can create a cohesive and polished appearance,” said Anabela Mangogna, founder of Camberwell Junction fashion boutique Bellite.

How to dress adopting this trend

One of the main benefits of tonal dressing is you can start experimenting with looks using the clothes you already have in your wardrobe.

“Most of us gravitate to a few colours when it comes to our clothes,” Ms Stevens said.

“This means that we’d have clothes in our wardrobe already in the colour we love, which makes it easier to incorporate tonal colours into our everyday dressing.”

Dressing tonally doesn’t mean you need to match hues exactly. Different shades of the same colour, such as sage and forest green, can add depth and interest.

“It doesn’t have to be a perfect match but rather a close tone so that it blends well,” said Ms Mangogna.

Mixing different materials is another way to have fun with tonal dressing. For example, you could pair some straight-leg jeans with a chunky knit or a satin shirt with a leather A-line skirt.

“A tonal outfit looks great when you can play with different layers and textures,” Ms Stevens said.

And adding tonal dressing into your routine doesn’t have to break the bank. Instead, it could actually save you money.

“Having a wardrobe with clothes that are in the same colour tone or in a few colours means that you don’t need to spend money to buy additional clothes to go with all the other different colours you have,” Ms Stevens said.

Styling tips

The starting point for any tonal outfit is choosing the hero colour around which to build your look.

It’s important to choose a colour that compliments your skin tone and that you, of course, feel comfortable in.

“If you are new to tonal dressing, start with a colour you love wearing,” Ms Stevens said.

“It’s a great way to build confidence in creating tonal outfits.” Novelty colours – think millennial pink – will come and go but you can’t go wrong when you stick to the classics.

Ms Mangogna recommends starting with neutrals and using accessories to introduce a contrasting colour or a colour in the same family. This can be used to draw the eye to a statement piece or a part of your body you want to showcase.

“Start with neutral colours like black, white, and grey, and add in a pop of colour through accessories or a statement piece,” she said.

“Simple accessories like scarves, belts or jewellery can elevate your outfit and break up the monotony while keeping it subtle.”

Then, as you build confidence, you can experiment with bolder colours and accessories.