Five tips for doing tonal dressing in a sophisticated way

Tonal dressing - by which we mean either wearing multiple shades of the same colour at once (think lemon, buttercup and saffron), or sporting the same hue top to toe (think white on white) - is a popular dressing tactic right now for a number of reasons. 

1) Adhering to a very specific colour palette immediately makes you look polished and pulled together, without you having to spend any extra time getting dressed. 

2) Tonal dressing offers a colour matching hack. Does dove-grey look good with charcoal? Without a doubt. Does navy go with sky-blue? Unequivocally, yes.

3) There's something quietly cool about sporting multiple pieces in the same shade. The commitment to one colour hums of a subtle sartorial confidence.   

Max Mara creative director Ian Griffiths showcases tonal colour palettes season after season, sending a succession of covetable red looks down the runway for Autumn/Winter 2017. Christopher Kane too called on the colour red,  pairing a red vinyl coat with tailored trousers and pointed boots all in a similar shade.

And the recent round of shows were testament to the staying power of monochromatic dressing, with both Joseph  creative director Louise Trotter and Victoria Beckham sending full lilac looks down the runway for Spring/Summer 2018. 

Whether you're a newbie to tonal dressing or not, here are five tips to help you get it right...

Add a print

Throwing a print into the mix really brings a tonal look to life. While wearing all one shade makes for a sleek ensemble, a jazzy pattern (animal prints lend themselves particularly well to this) will not only add another dimension to your outfit, but will also grant it a more casual edge. 

Incorporate metallics

Metallics also offer an effective way to break up a monochromatic outfit. Think grey and silver, camel and gold or brown and bronze. A little shimmer goes a long way, and the minimal addition of a pair of shiny boots, a lurex cardigan or a metallic bag will do the trick. 

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Use neutrals to tone down punchy combos

What better way to fight the autumnal blues than by wearing a bright colour head to toe? But doing so doesn't mean you have to neglect your favourite neutral pieces. Use your trusty grey, navy and camel items to counterbalance bolder colours. 

This needn't mean breaking away from your colour scheme either. Wearing electric-blue? Slip in something navy. Wearing daffodil-yellow? Add something beige. 

Mix different textures 

Experimenting with different materials will prevent your outfit from looking one-dimensional. Try pairing a silky skirt or midi dress with a chunky mohair jumper, or layering a cable knit underneath a wool pea coat. The contrast in textures will mean that even if you've opted for the same hue head to toe, you'll be able to distinguish between the different layers. 

Use accessories to break it up

It's all in the details. Adding shoes or a bag in a contrasting colour to a tonal look is a nice touch that won't make it any less impactful. Similarly, a belt in a clashing colour is a welcome addition, particularly if you've opted for floaty monochromatic layers that might otherwise mean you lose your waist.