Gaah, I feel you! The rainy days are yet from over. But is it time to make ourselves look stormy as well? We need to rethink.
Monsoon weather is primarily dark and gloomy, but it is partly a fashion blessing in disguise. No, seriously. We can forget about bulky rain jackets and start to experiment on classic wardrobe staples to make us stay fashionable even on the wet days.
Monochrome. Graphic B&W. There's something that makes this trend beguiling to the eye. It takes you in, makes you look taller, redirects your imperfections. Score an organized pattern of stripes and grids and you'll look modern and (not overly) well put together. Plus you can never go wrong with B&W, eh.
Your complete monochrome guide: burglar stripes, checkerboard prints, diamond patterns, op-art. Rules of thumb to rock this outfit:
- pair black with white or white with black (no kidding!),
- if you're wearing patterns on top you can leave your bottom plain and same the other way,
- if you're trying on all- black or all- white make sure to have either your top or your bottom printed (it can be word art like Jack Daniel's or Chanel's inverted C's logo, or perhaps The Simpsons),
- you can incorporate primary colors as accessories the top picks being red and blue,
- and you can also mix and match two patterns at the same time. Yes, it's possible! You only have to remember NOT to mix a scattered pattern with another scattered pattern, for example, a diamond patterned top paired with chevron bottoms. Ack! Disaster.
But with a scattered diamond pattern paired with vertical stripes-- match made in heaven! That's what makes me love Balmain Paris' previous collection below.
And just like the rainy days, we're not yet done, too. Here are other tricks that can work well for this outfit:
- you can rummage your closet if you remember having horizontal striped tops, a mono dotted bag, or any B&W accessory that you can add to this look without necessarily spending a precious amount for new items
- accessories on trend that are good addition to this outfit: B&W baseball caps, leather jackets, round sunnies
- keep your make up toned down by simply highlighting your bones and browse, nothing fancy in particular
- you can leave your hair naturally flowing or tie it in a high rise bun or any up-do hairstyle
- remember: the more and the brighter the color you add, the less impact the outfit creates. You can be safer with a touch of gray or silver and gold neck & arm candies.
- you can wear it with a white or black pumps or a mix of the two, a grunge sneakers, or monochrome patterned footwear like this checker heel sandal that I'm dying for from Proenza Schouler.
Oh, just because it's rainy season and this monochrome trend is dark doesn't mean you're bound to match your mood with it. Wear that smile and confidence instead that can liven up others and, of course, your inner self. You'll never know whose eyes you're winning with all these things on.
Photo Credits:
harpersbazaar (dot) com
