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
-60%
Cole Haan
Mens Stand Collar Car Coat - Beige Size Medium Brown
$129.95
$328.00
Cole Haan
-40%
Hudson
Jodie Crystal Blue Wide Leg Jean
$99.99
Rue La La
Mother
The Hustler Roller Sneak Jeans Brown
$248.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Hudson
Rosie High-Rise Voila Wide Leg Jean Blue
$79.99
Rue La La
-50%
Rag & Bone
Jamie High-Rise Tailored Culotte Jeans Blue
$119.00
$238.00
Neiman Marcus
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.
Maeve
The Rue Oversized Blazer by Maeve Jacket White
$168.00
Anthropologie
Alexia Admor
Emele Blazer Black
$79.99
Rue La La
BHLDN
Satin Oversized Blazer Jacket White
$248.00
Anthropologie
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.
-3%
Alysi
Womens Mohair Wool Turtleneck Sweater Blue
$301.00
$309.00
LUX LAIR
-50%
La DoubleJ
Picket wool-blend polo sweater Red
$310.00
$620.00
Mytheresa
BA&SH
Jullia Mohair, Alpaca & Wool-Blend Sweater
$79.99
Rue La La
-50%
Costume National
Gray embellished asymmetric Womens sweater
$187.00
$374.00
LUX LAIR
A.L.C.
Hayden Silk-Trim Skirt
$169.99
Rue La La
-50%
Frame Denim
The Tennis Drawstring Silk Skirt Blue
$174.00
$348.00
Neiman Marcus
Sabina Musáyev
Patina Silk-Blend Maxi Skirt Orange
$53.99
Rue La La
Temperley London
Breeze Silk-Blend Trouser Purple
$168.99
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.
Cole Haan
Womens Leather Racer Jacket - Black Size Medium
$498.00
Cole Haan
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone Beige, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
-54%
Cole Haan
Womens Wing Collar Leather Jacket - Beige Size Medium Brown
$229.97
$498.00
Cole Haan
Ralph Lauren
Tan Leather jacket Size L Orange
$407.34
HEWI
-29%
Mare Mare
Emmy Corset Jacquard Maxi Dress Pink
$209.95
$295.00
Anthropologie
Astr
the Label Lace Trim Satin Slip Dress Brown
$40.99
Rue La La
Bl^nk London
Satin Off-Shoulder Lace Midi Dress Brown
$188.00
Anthropologie
Johnny Was
Dibble Tiered Midi Dress Blue
$170.99
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.
Rina Limor
Silver 2.85 ct. tw. Aquamarine 2pc Jewelry Set
$149.99
Rue La La
Versace
Greca and Medusa earrings Yellow
$450.00
Mytheresa
Rina Limor
Silver 1.90 ct. tw. Aquamarine Studs
$99.99
Rue La La
Sphera Milano
Silver 3mm Pearl Hoops
$39.99
Rue La La
-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
Kenneth Cole
Johanna Flat Gold
$48.99
Rue La La
Sarto
Emma Slingback Flats Silver
$120.00
Anthropologie
