Matching sets are everywhere, but at Fashion Week, we scoped out the street style and determined that the DIY version is just as cool. Otherwise known as the monochrome outfit, the look consists of all one color, 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 color. 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 favorite take on the trend, and shop for some basics if you need to while you're at it.
Red Monochrome Outfit: Style a ribbed cropped knit over roomy red leather pants and complete with white sneakers.
Mango Ribbed Knit Sweater ($30, originally $60)
Orange Monochrome Outfit: Tuck a cozy, oversize ribbed cowl-neck into your wide-leg trousers.
Tan Monochrome Outfit: Start with a coffee-colored 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-colored bucket hat.
Walter Baker Camel Yuki Two-Tone Suede Skirt ($174, originally $348)
Clyde Shearling Bucket Hat ($298)
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.
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.
ASOS Design Curve Balloon Leg Pants With Lace Up Back in Green ($19, originally $48)
Pink Monochrome Outfit: Layer your furry or textured pink coat over magenta trousers. Start with the 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 ($30, originally $190)
CocooVe Sofia Wide Leg Trouser in Magenta ($106, originally $151)
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.
Gray Monochrome Outfit: You can mix and match many different shades of gray, 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 Plus Double Button Striped Cuff Raglan Sleeve Blazer ($19, originally $25)
Mango Slit Hem Pants ($40, originally $80)
By Far Kendall Glittered Leather-Trimmed Mesh Slingback Pumps ($138, originally $460)
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.