What’s the Secret to Monochrome Dressing?
The New York Times
A reader asks for guidance on picking a color and sticking with it.
Monochrome dressing is the official name for what you are talking about. People often people associate the word with black/white/gray, but it simply means dressing in a single color. Ever since Michelle Obama modeled its effectiveness at the inauguration in neck-to-toe burgundy Sergio Hudson, it has been one of the bigger trends of the year. (See also Jake Gyllenhaal at the Tonys in a pink Prada suit with a pink shirt.)
As to why, well, Goop called monochrome “universally flattering,” as it creates a single, unbroken line that both elongates and polishes, furthering an illusion of height for almost any body. It also harnesses the power of color to establish or reflect a mood, whether it’s electric, optimistic, serene or sedate. Also, it suggests commitment and confidence. There’s nothing wishy-washy about going all in on a single shade. And you don’t have to worry about that pesky problem of coordination.
The undisputed queen of this kind of dressing is, of course, the queen, who has been wearing monochrome since at least the middle of the last century, the better to stand out in a crowd. (She does it so well that she inspired an entire book on the subject entitled “Our Rainbow Queen.”) But she’s not alone.