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.
Dolce & Gabbana
Cotton Formal Dress Shirt - White
$181.91
Italist
Nike
Air Force 1 07 Sneakers White
$115.00
Anthropologie
Dolce & Gabbana
Cotton-Elastane Dress Shirt - Black
$213.71
Italist
Veja
Volley Sneaker - White
$178.21
Italist
AG - Adriano Goldschmied
AG Saige Mid-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans Gray
$245.00
Anthropologie
Lois
Jeans - Blue
$119.84
Italist
7 For All Mankind
Slim Mid Rise Straight Leg Jeans Blue
$238.00
Anthropologie
Calvin Klein
Barrel Jeans
$114.91
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.
Hansen & Gretel
Mae Blazer Jacket White
$329.00
Anthropologie
Walter Baker
Jagger Oversized Fit Blazer Brown
$50.99
Rue La La
Theory
Boxy Oversized Jacket
$149.99
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.
HUGO BOSS
Mohair Blend Turtleneck Sweater - White
$349.73
Italist
The Garment
Mohair Blend Sweater - Gray
$326.81
Italist
Max Mara
Mohair Half-Zip Sweatshirt - Beige
$272.51
Italist
MM Studio
Campale Sweater - Brown
$285.88
Italist
Veronica Beard
Zora Denim Mini Skirt
$248.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-40%
Veronica Beard
Zora Denim Mini Skirt
$148.80
$248.00
Neiman Marcus
Guest In Residence
Fringe Plaid Mini Skirt
$225.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Guest In Residence
Fringe Plaid Mini Skirt
$225.00
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.
-29%
Cole Haan
Womens Cross-Hatch Quilt Cropped Jacket - Green Size Medium
$139.95
$198.00
Cole Haan
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
-29%
Cole Haan
Womens Cross-Hatch Quilt Cropped Jacket - Grey Size Medium Gray
$139.95
$198.00
Cole Haan
Carhartt Work in Progress
Arizona Jacket - Black
$332.78
Italist
endless rose
Lace Shift Dress Pink
$80.99
Rue La La
Peixoto
Piper Lace-Trimmed Cotton Mini Dress
$238.00
Neiman Marcus
Dolce & Gabbana
Lace Midi Skirt - Black
$245.21
Italist
Alexia Admor
Zenaida A-Line Dress
$99.99
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.
Valentino Garavani
Earrings - gold
$360.25
Italist
Alemais
Filigree Heart Drop Earrings Gold
$350.00
Anthropologie
Tory Burch
Kira Earrings - Gold
$158.02
Italist
Monica Vinader
Sterling Silver Oval Diamond Huggie Earrings Lab Grown Diamond
€450.00
Monica Vinader
Alessandra Rich
Crystal-Embellished Earrings - Silver
$384.13
Italist
A.P.C.
Juliet Ballet Flat - Silver
$217.07
Italist
Kenneth Cole
Myra Leather Flat Gold
$39.99
Rue La La
Gucci
GG Canvas Ballet Flat - Multicolor
$474.50
Italist
Naturalizer
Carla Flat in Silver Leather at Nordstrom
$130.00
Nordstrom
