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.
Alo
| All Day Short Sleeve Top in Winter Frost Blue, Size: 2XS
$68.00
Alo Yoga
-48%
Elisabetta Franchi
Jeans Blue
$219.00
$419.00
Yoox
Lois
Denim Beatrix Wide Leg Jeans Blue
$212.00
Balardi
-64%
Dondup
Jeans Black
$128.00
$351.00
Yoox
Levi's
Jeans
$228.00
Balardi
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.
-53%
Saulina Milano
Antonia Single Breasted Jacket Black
$497.00
$1,060.00
Balardi
-16%
Elisabetta Franchi
Giacca Doppiopetto In Maglia Con Ricamo-Donna
$414.00
$490.00
Wanan Luxury
-41%
Max Mara
Floc Cotton Blend Over Blazer Brown
$457.00
$780.00
Balardi
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.
-24%
Contemporaine
Mother-of-pearl buttons touch of mohair Cardigan Sweater White
$59.95
$79.00
Simons
HUGO BOSS
Cropped Sweater With Doubled Collar White
$339.00
Balardi
-24%
Contemporaine
Mother-of-pearl buttons touch of mohair Cardigan Sweater Green
$59.95
$79.00
Simons
-35%
Alysi
Mohair Wool Turtleneck Sweater Blue
$255.00
$394.00
Balardi
-70%
Cormio
Eve Superfine Wool Skirt Red
$207.00
$690.00
Slam Jam
-78%
Max Mara
Pants Blue
$201.00
$902.00
Yoox
-55%
Marrknull
Silk Skirt Black
$151.00
$336.00
Slam Jam
-87%
Moschino
Mini skirts Pink
$99.00
$751.00
Yoox
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.
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Black, Size: Medium
$198.00
Alo Yoga
Soaked In Luxury
Womens Maeve leather jacket Black
$299.00
Simons
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone Beige, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
Icone
Womens Faux-suede stand collar jacket Brown
$175.00
Simons
-55%
Icone
Womens Stretch lace ruffled tie-up long cardigan Black
$39.95
$89.00
Simons
-73%
Twik
Womens Lace skirt maxi tube dress Brown
$39.95
$150.00
Simons
-73%
Contemporaine
Womens Lace-trim saT-Shirtn pencil skirt Brown
$29.95
$110.00
Simons
Contemporaine
Womens Jewel buttons guipure dress Black
$175.00
Simons
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.
Simons
Womens Mandala earrings
$12.00
Simons
Self Portrait
Bow Pearl Droplet Earrings Silver
$281.00
Balardi
Simons
Womens Crystal leaf pendant earrings Silver
$29.00
Simons
-39%
Alessandra Rich
Bow Earrings Silver
$388.00
$633.00
Balardi
Simons
Womens Mandala earrings Silver
$12.00
Simons
-60%
Giuseppe Zanotti
Amur ballerina shoes - women - Leather/Leather/Leather/Metal - 35 - Gold
$379.00
$940.00
FARFETCH
-82%
Roger Vivier
Ballet flats Silver
$269.00
$1,495.00
Yoox
-40%
Le Monde Beryl
Leather Ballet Flats Silver
$358.00
$597.00
Eraldo
-58%
Aeyde
Ballet flats Silver
$162.00
$388.00
Yoox
