Tonal dressing is where fashion is right now. So for a look that’s effortlessly chic, yet makes an impact, it’s certainly a dressing tactic every woman should try. 

Thanks to the likes of Kim Kardashian, and supermodels like the Hadid sisters whom have mastered the art of tonal dressing, us mere mortals have endless sartorial inspo to formulate our own killer tonal looks.

For those who don’t know, the term coined tonal dressing refers to the dressing tactic of pairing garments and accessories of similar shades to complete a ‘tonal’ ensemble.

Although I believe it to be more classic than trendy, this dressing tactic has gained traction in recent seasons, and it is undoubtedly a key trend at the moment. 

Requiring minimal effort to look chic and polished, its such a versatile way to style your outfits. So, without further a do, keep reading below for some of my tips and ideas for doing tonal dressing well!

Keep to a Specific Colour Palette

This is the essence of what tonal dressing is all about! Sporting the same colour scheme all over will ensure a bold, polished look ensues. 

If you opt for the same shade all over, remember to stick to clean lines and simple silhouettes so the effect is impactful, but not overwhelming. 

Similarly, opt for garments and accessories in varying shades from the same colour family to complete your look. i.e. magenta, pale pink, and maroon.

And to tone it down a notch, mix in a neutral piece to counterbalance a bold outfit.

Make It Unique With Print

For added drama, and to really make your tonal outfit unique to you, be expressive by incorporating some print.

It’s best to adhere to using one motif and keep it minimal with one piece only.

Metallic Finishes

Inject some glam into your tonal outfit with some metallic accents. 

Not only will this add some flair and pretty detail to an otherwise strong look, it will break up your ensemble nicely. 

With that in mind, constrain the amount of metallic you add- you don’t need to go OTT with this one! 

A bit of shimmer, some flickering sequins, or a high-octane finish garment will offset a tonal look wonderfully. Conversely, opt for an embellished accessory if you want to keep the outfit strong and simple.

 Distinguish Those Layers

To make sure your look is stylish rather than a fashion flop, ensure you  clearly distinguish between layers to ensure it doesn’t look too one dimensional. 

Experiment with different materials and textures with your outfit; think silks, leather, satin, mohair, cable knits, wool, and velvet as some examples (the list is endless!) and don’t be afraid to combine more than one or two textures.

Create Some Contrast

To really flex your tonal savviness, combine two contrasting colour palettes for your look (similar in most ways to colour blocking) aiming to use one colour palette overall, and then add a contrasting colour with a piece or two.

Bold colours collectively work well, or pairing a bold hue with a softer one will do the trick.  If you’re daring enough, create the contrast with your garments, or achieve this by incorporating an accessory/accessories that contrasts your tonal outfit for all over tonal vibes.

By Sophie Button-Sloan