How To Nail That Monochrome Look With Indian Wear

When it comes to putting together an outfit, most people choose contrasting or complementing shades for a day out and save the monochrome looks for a lazy day at home. While it can be tricky to get a monochrome outfit to look dashing, you can nail it by choosing the pieces of your ensemble carefully, especially when it comes to bright or neutral colors. A monochromatic look can be just as stylish and show-stopping as a colorful dress or a contrasting outfit.

So, what is monochrome? Monochrome essentially means ‘one color’. If all the pieces of your outfit are in the same color or different shades of the same color, you’re in monochrome! This style is quickly earning fame as it is very pleasing to the eye and looks effortlessly chic! The best thing about this style is that it will work with any color. While it may seem easy to pull together a monochrome outfit, choosing the wrong color for your skin tone, eyes and hair may end up amplifying the wrong choice. Make sure that the colors you pick are well suited to your complexion and other factors of the body.

How to nail the look

The first thing to decide while going for a monochrome outfit is to pick a color. Let it be your favorite color, a color that goes great against your complexion and hair, or a color you’ve never worn before just to start experimenting!

Experiment with textures

One thing about monochrome looks is that they can easily look dull, simple, and boring if there isn’t anything unique or catchy about them. You can include texture to your looks to completely evade this problem. Texture adds visual interest and dimension to your look which can boost a monochrome look and make it stand out. Adding lace, sequins, embroidery, etc in shades of the outfit’s main color can magnify its beauty. You can also experiment by pairing pieces of different materials in a single outfit. For instance, you can wear a dark grey silk skirt and a light grey turtleneck tee topped off with silver jewellery. To add extra oomph to the look, you can add a pair of silver, metallic, sequined heels. Some materials that go well with each other are suede and silk, denim and chiffon, leather and cotton, denim and lace, etc.

A three piece matching workwear set from BIBA, with a sleeveless inner, printed shrug and checkered straight palazzo.

A black-grey cotton kurta that can be beautified with a pair of leather pants and ankle-length leather boots.

Balance your outfit

All outfits require balance, especially monochrome attires as a small error can be amplified in these looks. You don’t want one shade or piece of your attire to overwhelm you or look disproportionate. For example, if you are wearing a long or billowy kurta, pair it up with a tight and fitted bottom. If you’re wearing a long skirt with a lot of flair, match it with a tight tee or a fitted kurta. Similarly, a grand outfit is best paired with simple and elegant jewelry. To achieve balance, observe your attire after putting it together. If you feel like there is something out of place like a color too bright or an outfit too overwhelming, it is usually due to a lack of balance. Replace a piece with a more suitable choice and you’re good to go!

A white, printed top with a sheer and pink dupatta. Also features a checked bottom.

This black printed kurta is a great add to your casual wardrobe. This cotton kurta has three-fourth sleeves and gives a dapper monochrome look.

A charming ivory kurta with three-fourth sleeves and a dupatta with border work. Enrich this classic look with elegant jewelry and heels.

A grand mustard yellow suit set with three-fourth sleeves that can work well with simple + elegant jewelry. Comes with a matching face mask.

Accessorize

One of the best things about monochromatic looks is how well your accessories stand out. This works great in your favor as accessories enhance your face, hands, and overall look. While they usually don’t get enough credit and sometimes, even go unnoticed, they pop out when you team them up with a monochrome outfit. You can either pair your outfit with accessories in the shiner of the same shade or you can choose a complimenting color to make them pop.

Drop this fashionable 3-string onyx necklace on a sky-blue monochromatic outfit.

This set of pink, chandelier earrings can enhance a pink monochromatic attire. If you want to add a light contrast but stay in the monochrome area, wear this with an outfit in shades of red.

Accentuate the right way

Putting together a monochrome outfit may seem simple enough but designating the right shade to the right destination can make a huge difference in how your attire turns out. Pay attention to how light or dark each piece is and use them accordingly to your body shape and size. For instance, if you have wide hips or thighs and you don't want to highlight them, wear a dark-colored bottom paired with a light-colored top. Wearing a light bottom can make them look bulkier and if that's not what you’re going for, it can let you down. You can accentuate your waist by wearing a belt over a top, especially over a long or loose kurta to give it a better structure.

An indigo, cotton, flared dress with little white dots to represent the night sky. Add chic to this outfit with a wide, denim waistband and matching denim shoes.

Prints

Any outfit can be made better with patterns and prints, even though it is risky territory. It enhances your outfit and can make a monochromatic piece look more interesting. Prints in similar hues can add just the right amount of enhancement to your look without going overboard. When it comes to similarly shaded prints, you don’t have to worry about clashing colors and odd patterns.

There is no shortage of diverse prints in this grey, anarkali kurta. Cpmes with a grey churidar and a printed dupatta in similar shades to achieve a monochrome look.

Layer up!

If you’re worried that a monochrome look will make you appear underdressed and dull, you can always add multiple layers to add dimension and look more dressed up. Don a jacket, blazer, or shrug over a similar shaded attire to take the chicness of the outfit to a whole other level. You can also carry a similarly colored purse or bag and put on a bold lipstick to look dashing.

A lime yellow, monochrome fusion wear set that is enhanced by a floor-length jacket.

Monochrome suits

Here are some of BIBA’s exclusive monochrome suit sets that come pre-matched, saving you the trouble of putting together an outfit!

A beautiful yellow suit set with asymmetric kurta, lehenga, dupatta and mask Who said monochrome wasn’t in anymore? Hmmm - we’d like you to point them to our blog! Because with BIBA, monochrome is now in!