Here’s how to use “Contrast Dressing” to improve your style
We all know the feeling of trying on a myriad of different outfits and none of them feel quite right. When you’re tempted to give up and reach for the same old jeans and top remember that style is a muscle that needs to be exercised, and luckily there are tips out there that make getting dressed in the morning more intuitive—and fun!
“Contrast Dressing” is our new fave styling hack developed by Allison Bornstein, the stylist who brought us the “Wrong Shoe Theory”. Not only will “Contrast Dressing” make you immediately more stylish, but it’ll also help you create balance for pieces that seem “stuck” in one specific style.
Bornstein considers “Contrast Dressing” as an expansion of the “Wrong Shoe Theory”. Creating contrast is (as the name suggests) at the core of “Contrast Dressing”, and the best way to create contrast in an outfit is through juxtaposing styles, textures, or accessories.
Here are five examples of “Contrast Dressing” that we just love.
Pairing masculine bottoms with a more feminine top and vice versa is a great way to give dimension to an outfit, and also makes those baggy jeans feel much more grown-up and polished. The good tension between masculine and feminine is also at the core of the Blokette aesthetic making rounds on social media right now.
-40%
Steve Madden
Sass Ankle Strap Platform Sandal in Red Croco at Nordstrom, Size 8.5
$77.98
$129.00
Nordstrom
Rya Collection
Darling Babydoll Chemise & Thong Set White
$135.00
Anthropologie
Mitchell & Ness
MLB Floral Camo Baseball Cap Green
$68.00
Anthropologie
Mother
The Roller Fray High-Rise Work Hard Play Hard Wide Leg Jean
$99.99
Rue La La
Pilcro
The Adi Knit Mid-Rise Flare Jeans by Pilcro Blue
$128.00
Anthropologie
Mother
The Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans Brown
$248.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Another perfect style pairing for “Contrast Dressing” is formal/casual. Pairing high and low elements gives you an effortless and super-chic outfit. Try styling your favourite joggers with an oversized blazer and elevated shoes and accessories for the perfect off-duty-model look.
-72%
Max Mara
Monica Cotton Canvas Oversize Blazer, Brand Size 40 ( US Size 6 )
$449.00
$1,590.00
Jomashop
-30%
Open Edit
The Icon Relaxed Blazer in Burgundy Fudge at Nordstrom, Size Small Red
$62.65
$89.50
Nordstrom
Theory
Oversized Crunch Linen Blazer Gray
$475.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Alo Yoga
Accolade Sweatpant in Espresso Brown, Size: 2XL | Alo YogaÆ
$118.00
Alo Yoga
Robert Barakett
Mens Pima Cotton Cortina Jogger Pant in Black - Robert Barakett
$195.00
Robert Barakett
Playing with textures is a great way to do “Contrast Dressing”, even if it might not be super intuitive at first. One of the easiest texture pairings to achieve is shiny/fuzzy: just pair your fuzziest knit (mohair is a great option here) with a shiny silk slip skirt.
-88%
Dolce & Gabbana
Sweaters Black
$347.00
$2,785.00
Yoox.com
-5%
Alysi
Womens Sweaters Blue
$299.00
$316.00
LUX LAIR
-85%
Iceberg
Sweaters Green
$110.00
$728.00
Yoox.com
-15%
JNBY
denim-patch jumper - women - Mohair/Wool/Spandex/Elastane/Polyester - M - Grey Gray
$430.00
$505.00
FARFETCH
-74%
Mac Duggal
Faille High Waisted A Line Midi Skirt in Black at Nordstrom, Size X-Small
$78.00
$298.00
Nordstrom
-83%
Laneus
Pants Pink
$161.00
$941.00
Yoox.com
-65%
John Galliano
Verde Silk Women Womens Skirt Green
$127.00
$362.00
LUX LAIR
-50%
Versace
Underwater Barocco cover-up foulard top - women - Cotton/Silk - L/XL - Neutrals
$238.00
$475.00
FARFETCH
Juxtaposing “hard” and “soft” materials is another great option for “Contrast Dressing”. Leather jackets, skirts, or trousers make perfect examples of a “hard” material, while lacy, light, or see-through tops and dresses make the perfect “soft” component.
Avec Les Filles
Faux Fur Trucker Jacket Brown
$129.99
Rue La La
endless rose
Oversized Jacket Brown
$89.99
Rue La La
-75%
Mac Duggal
Lace Long Sleeve V-Neck Embellished Gown in Vintage Lilac at Nordstrom, Size 14 Purple
$198.00
$798.00
Nordstrom
-32%
BHLDN
Mock-Neck Long-Sleeve Stretch Lace Midi Dress Black
$189.95
$278.00
Anthropologie
-25%
Alex Evenings
Embroidered Lace Mock Two-Piece Gown with Jacket in Blush at Nordstrom, Size 10 Rose
$171.75
$229.00
Nordstrom
Lastly, accessories can definitely help you add contrast to your look. This look featured in Valentino’s Haute Couture FW23 show Un Château is a perfect example of how a statement earring can add some spice to a simple look. Also, as Bornstein reminds us, having two similar elements at the top and bottom is useful to create a cohesive look: in this case, the silver earrings “connect” with the silver slippers tying everything together.
Monica Vinader
Sterling Silver Siren Muse Small Hoop Earrings
€120.00
Monica Vinader
-28%
Self Portrait
Multi Crystal Droplet Jewelry Silver
$195.00
$270.00
Wanan Luxury
Monica Vinader
Gold Siren Muse Large Hoop Earrings
€210.00
Monica Vinader
Swarovski
Una Clover Stud Earrings & Necklace Set in Pink at Nordstrom
$269.00
Nordstrom
Monica Vinader
Gold Infinity Huggie Earrings
€149.00
Monica Vinader
-60%
Giuseppe Zanotti
Amur ballerina shoes - women - Leather/Leather/Leather/Metal - 35 - Gold
$379.00
$940.00
FARFETCH
-30%
Naturalizer
Carla Flat in Silver Leather at Nordstrom, Size 5.5
$91.00
$130.00
Nordstrom
Sarto
Telica Slingback Flats Gold
$120.00
Anthropologie
