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
-17%
Nike
Mens C1TY Shoes in Brown | FZ3863-105 Gray
$86.97
$105.00
Nike
-39%
Nike
Mens Dunk Low Retro Shoes in Grey | HF5441-202 White
$72.97
$120.00
Nike
-38%
Pilcro
The Adi Knit Mid-Rise Flare Jeans by Pilcro Blue
$79.95
$128.00
Anthropologie
Mother
The Roller Fray High-Rise Work Hard Play Hard Wide Leg Jean
$99.99
Rue La La
L.k. Bennett
Shannon Trouser Blue
$33.99
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 Straight Linen-Blend Blazer White
$149.99
Rue La La
-43%
A.L.C.
Calla Houndstooth Wool Double Breasted Blazer in Tan Multi at Nordstrom, Size 12 Brown
$453.15
$795.00
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.
-5%
Alysi
Womens Sweaters Blue
$288.00
$303.00
LUX LAIR
-50%
La DoubleJ
Picket wool-blend polo sweater Red
$310.00
$620.00
Mytheresa
-93%
Iceberg
Sweaters Green
$52.00
$728.00
Yoox.com
-50%
Costume National
Gray embellished asymmetric Womens sweater
$185.00
$368.00
LUX LAIR
A.L.C.
Hayden Silk-Trim Skirt
$189.99
Rue La La
-50%
Frame Denim
The Tennis Drawstring Silk Skirt Blue
$174.00
$348.00
Neiman Marcus
Lafayette 148 New York
Ribbed Pull On Knit Skirt Brown
$249.99
Rue La La
-60%
Veronica Beard
Clover Floral Silk Slip Skirt Green
$179.19
$448.00
Neiman Marcus
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.
-25%
AllSaints
Balfern Leather Biker Jacket Black
$464.25
$619.00
AllSaints
Cole Haan
Womens Leather Racer Jacket - Black Size Medium
$498.00
Cole Haan
Avec Les Filles
Faux Fur Trucker Jacket Brown
$129.99
Rue La La
-54%
Cole Haan
Womens Wing Collar Leather Jacket - Beige Size Medium Brown
$229.97
$498.00
Cole Haan
JS Collections
Brooke Column Gown Blue
$126.99
Rue La La
-40%
AllSaints
Lyra Linen Midi Dress
$179.00
$299.00
AllSaints
Adrianna Papell
Beaded Lace Sheath Dress Black
$99.99
Rue La La
-40%
Eliza J
Illusion Yoke Lace Trumpet Gown in Blush at Nordstrom, Size 10 Rose
$160.79
$268.00
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.
-20%
Monica Vinader
Gold Siren Muse Large Hoop Earrings
€168.00
€210.00
Monica Vinader
AllSaints
Laio Spike Metal Earrings
$65.00
AllSaints
-20%
Monica Vinader
Gold Infinity Huggie Earrings
€119.20
€149.00
Monica Vinader
AllSaints
Laio Spike Earrings
$75.00
AllSaints
-60%
Giuseppe Zanotti
Amur ballerina shoes - women - Leather/Leather/Leather/Metal - 35 - Gold
$379.00
$940.00
FARFETCH
Sarto
Telica Slingback Flats Gold
$120.00
Anthropologie
Sarto
Emma Slingback Flats Silver
$120.00
Anthropologie
