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.
-67%
Cole Haan
Womens Go-To Emalia Slide Bow Sandals - Brown Size 10.5
$49.97
$150.00
Cole Haan
Dolce & Gabbana
Cotton-Elastane Formal Shirt - White
$217.94
Italist
On
Cloud 6 Sneakers White
$160.00
Anthropologie
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$133.91
Italist
LE JEAN
Utility Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans Gray
$248.00
Anthropologie
Lois
Jeans - Blue
$122.07
Italist
-38%
Mother
Hustler Roller High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans Blue
$189.95
$308.00
Anthropologie
Lois
Donatella Jeans - Black
$128.42
Italist
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.
-30%
Maeve
Rue Oversized Blazer by Maeve Jacket Gray
$110.60
$158.00
Anthropologie
Moschino
Denim Blazer - Blue
$276.18
Italist
-30%
Maeve
Rue Oversized Blazer by Maeve Jacket White
$117.60
$168.00
Anthropologie
Walter Baker
Jagger Oversized Fit Blazer Brown
$50.99
Rue La La
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.
Fabiana Filippi
Bouclé Yarn with Lurex Sweater - Beige
$413.85
Italist
Max Mara
Mohair Half-Zip Sweatshirt - Beige
$255.00
Italist
Closed
Mohair-Blend Striped Sweater - Pink
$293.96
Italist
Gestuz
Debbie Cardigan - Gray
$276.13
Italist
Veronica Beard
Zora Denim Mini Skirt
$248.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-50%
Guest In Residence
Gingham Silk-Linen Midi Skirt Brown
$137.50
$275.00
Neiman Marcus
Guest In Residence
Fringe Plaid Mini Skirt
$225.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Veronica Beard
Zora Denim Mini Skirt
$248.00
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.
Cole Haan
Womens Cross-Hatch Quilt Cropped Jacket - Green Size Medium
$198.00
Cole Haan
Pinko
Eco Shearling Jacket - Beige
$342.98
Italist
-24%
Cole Haan
Womens Cross-Hatch Quilt Cropped Jacket - Grey Size Medium Gray
$149.95
$198.00
Cole Haan
-30%
Pilcro
Faux Leather Crop Moto Jacket Black
$110.60
$158.00
Anthropologie
English Factory
Eyelet Lace Midi Dress Red
$185.00
Anthropologie
-63%
Bl^nk London
Satin Off-Shoulder Lace Midi Dress Green
$69.95
$188.00
Anthropologie
Kat The Label
Florence Lace Pants White
$110.00
Anthropologie
endless rose
Lace Midi Dress Yellow
$185.00
Anthropologie
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.
Alemais
Filigree Heart Drop Earrings Gold
$350.00
Anthropologie
Alessandra Rich
Crystal and Pearl Drop Earrings - Silver
$205.95
Italist
Monica Vinader
Sterling Silver Oval Diamond Huggie Earrings Lab Grown Diamond
€450.00
Monica Vinader
Jil Sander
Earrings - Gold
$335.69
Italist
Monica Vinader
Gold Round Diamond Huggie Earrings 2.5mm Lab Grown Diamond
€325.00
Monica Vinader
Tory Burch
Metallic Leather Ballet Flat - Silver
$432.04
Italist
Kenneth Cole
Myra Leather Flat Gold
$39.99
Rue La La
Lanvin
Metallic Goatskin Ballerina Flat - Silver
$389.19
Italist
Bueno
Kehlani Mary Jane Flat in Dark Silver at Nordstrom, Size 40
$130.00
Nordstrom
