Colorful Emotion

Monochrome looks and expressing emotion through color choice.

Color has been known to be used to create tangible connections to our emotions, and color has always played a role in fashion expressivity. Monochrome looks in fashion are a great way to bridge the use of color to express personal style and emotion. Whether going out or keeping it casual, monochrome looks are a great tool to feel put together with a few simple steps. However, there is a misconception that this effect only comes from neutral palettes. Incorporating color into monochrome styles can help unleash a new outlet to express yourself. But color expression in fashion doesn’t have to follow the assignment set by society. Yellow doesn’t have to mean you feel happy.

Pink doesn’t have to feel flirty.

The power of fashion is being able to use color to express your emotions how you want to. It’s your prerogative. One day, blue could be happy, and the next day, blue could feel tired. No matter what color you feel like dawning that day, there are many ways to create cohesion within your look. Utilizing a wide range of shades and tints can help add dimension to monochrome looks and keep the look from looking too “matchy-matchy,” if that’s not the vibe you’re going for.

Monochrome looks can be fancy, to street wear, to athleisure, it’s all about how you accessorize. Adding a blazer over a matching active set can easily elevate your look to a more put together ensemble, and dressing down a look with some matching tennis shoes can keep your look from looking too formal. Monochrome looks are also a great opportunity for layering, especially during the fall and winter seasons. With the added chill in the air, additional layers of scarves and hats can be added to build up looks and add in those different pops of shades and tints. In addition, adding accessories or components that incorporate analogous color schemes can also help add dimension. This incorporation of ‘neighboring’ colors can also be helpful in expressing dual-emotionality. We are complex individuals who experience a wide variety of emotions throughout the day, and, luckily, monochrome looks allow us to express multiple emotions.

Happiness. Anxiety. Confidence. Disgust. Sadness. Anger. Excitement. Insecurity. Depression. Flirtatiousness. Boldness.

Using color is a way to turn yourself inside-out. Express inner emotions and utilize fashion as a productive outlet to work through those emotions, like your own form of self-care and therapy. Monochrome fashion is a channel to express sentiments that have vast amounts of untapped potential. Get out there, get creative and express that colorful emotion.

Stylist: Emily West Photographer: Nicole Renaud Models: Emma Tappana,Gabrielle Tiger, Caroline Pitzer, Jai Richardson