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.
On
Cloud 6 Sneakers White
$160.00
Anthropologie
Treasure & Bond
Melange Knit Scarf in Burgundy at Nordstrom Red
$45.00
Nordstrom
-30%
adidas
Handball Spezial Made in Germany Sneakers Preloved Ink / Off White Multi
$175.00
$250.00
Slam Jam
-60%
Department Five
Wide-leg Pop blue jeans with washed effect
$103.83
$259.58
TheDoubleF
Mother
The Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans Brown
$248.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-40%
Diesel
Flared jeans 1978 D-Akemi in washed gray
$125.15
$208.59
TheDoubleF
-61%
Joe's
Joes Jeans Indigo Rinse Wide Leg Ankle Jean
$89.99
$228.00
Rue La La
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.
Theory
Oversized Crunch Linen Blazer Gray
$475.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-30%
Open Edit
The Icon Relaxed Blazer in Burgundy Fudge at Nordstrom, Size Small Red
$62.65
$89.50
Nordstrom
Theory
Relaxed Silk Cinch Blazer Blue
$495.00
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.
-56%
M Missoni
Sweaters Brown
$231.00
$524.00
Yoox.com
-60%
Isabel Marant
Isabel Marant Etoile Dimitria Mohair & Wool-Blend Sweater Purple
$258.99
$650.00
Rue La La
-40%
Max Mara
Green mohair knit sweater
$158.53
$264.21
TheDoubleF
-60%
Farm Rio
Farm Rio Mohair & Wool-Blend Cable-Knit Sweater Pink
$100.00
$248.00
Rue La La
-74%
Mac Duggal
Faille High Waisted A Line Midi Skirt in Black at Nordstrom, Size X-Small
$78.00
$298.00
Nordstrom
-75%
Nic+Zoe
Nic+Zoe Romance Silk-Blend Slip Skirt Blue
$62.99
$248.00
Rue La La
-30%
Velvet
Eza velvet maxi skirt Purple
$231.00
$330.00
Mytheresa
-59%
Vince
Sheer Silk-Blend Pencil Skirt Rose
$149.99
$365.00
Rue La La
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.
-57%
Cole Haan
Wing Collar Leather Jacket Red
$225.00
$528.00
Rue La La
-66%
Walter Baker
Lance Leather Jacket
$269.99
$798.00
Rue La La
Frankie Shop
Hope faux fur jacket Brown
$360.00
Mytheresa
-51%
JS Collections
Js Collections Brooke Column Gown Blue
$134.99
$278.00
Rue La La
-25%
Alex Evenings
Embroidered Lace Mock Two-Piece Gown with Jacket in Blush at Nordstrom, Size 10 Rose
$171.75
$229.00
Nordstrom
-63%
Tadashi Shoji
Lace Gown Blue
$199.99
$538.00
Rue La La
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.
-28%
Self Portrait
Multi Crystal Droplet Jewelry Silver
$195.00
$270.00
Wanan Luxury
-20%
Ferragamo
Gancini Dancing Pearl earrings Yellow
$216.00
$270.00
Mytheresa
-28%
Self Portrait
Crystal Bow Pearl Jacket Jewelry Silver
$164.00
$228.00
Wanan Luxury
Monica Vinader
Gold Heirloom Huggie Earrings
€125.00
Monica Vinader
-28%
Self Portrait
Mottled Gold Pearl Tiered Jewelry Gold
$164.00
$228.00
Wanan Luxury
-65%
Giuseppe Zanotti
Amur ballerina shoes - women - Leather/Leather/Leather/Metal - 35 - Gold
$332.00
$940.00
FARFETCH
-30%
Naturalizer
Carla Flat in Silver Leather at Nordstrom, Size 5.5
$91.00
$130.00
Nordstrom
-66%
Karl Lagerfeld
Karl Lagerfeld Velma Flat Gold
$40.99
$119.00
Rue La La
Stuart Weitzman
Emilia Mary Jane Slingback Ballerina Flats Silver
$395.00
Bergdorf Goodman
