Thursday, January 27

BREAKING THE RULES WEEK: MONOCHROMATIC

It's the second to the last installment of Breaking the Rules Week, but we're not slowing down just yet! Today, we are breaking the old adage to never wear one color head to toe.

And here is my flagrant defiance of the anti-monochromatic fashion law:



Yeah, the shoddily drawn heart is there because I am ashamed of how pudgy I've gotten and I was committing some serious muffin-top crime in that photo. I changed into better fitting pants afterwards (still black) that solved the problem, but I didn't have enough time to snap new photos.

I didn't realize beforehand that I don't actually own any tops and bottoms in the same color, especially since I had already put my only navy blue skirt in the hamper. Thus, my only real option was to do a highly predictable all-black outfit. My apologies for a lack of creativity on my part, but I'm sure the following ladies more than make up for me!

First up, we have Sarah (That Damn Green Dress) wearing an awesome cinnamon-y outfit. All of the main pieces are J.Crew and she mentioned that dressing monochromatically with J.Crew is pretty easy -- as she said on her latest blog post (which features more amazing monochrome ensembles), "Emma Pillsbury's secret is revealed!" I really love what Sarah did with breaking up the single-color look with interesting details, like the ruffles on the cardigan, the jewelry, the shiny belt, and the shiny shoes.


Next, we have Heather (commonwealth girl) doing another take on the "wearing one color head to toe" rule -- wearing essentially the same color, but in different shades, which is a great way to pull any outfit together. She's donning one of my favorite shades from J.Crew, too: burnished olive! It doesn't surprise me that J.Crew is so prominent in this particular challenge, as one of the best things about J.Crew is their amazing color selection.


Finally, we have JG (Stuff Jewish Girls Like), sporting her very own blueberry-inspired outfit. But rather than looking like Violet from Willy Wonka-dom, she looks cute and polished! Different materials and textures break up JG's monochrome look, such as her skirt with button details and the wonderful seams on her shoes. In fact, I could hardly even tell that she was wearing all the same color when I first saw this!

[UPDATE]

Eeek! I accidentally left out a lovely blogger who sent in a monochrome outfit too. So here's AppGal (Musings on the Mountain) with a beautiful blue-hued look! I absolutely love how sleek she looks, and the top, cardigan, and skirt make this look like a great dress. In fact, if there were a dress out there that looked like this, I'd be all over it. Take note, retailers!


All in all, to make your monochromatic outfit work without looking like a Power Ranger, take a lesson from these gals: wear varying shades of the same color or break up the ensemble with interesting textures and details on the pieces you choose.

Join me tomorrow for the very last installment of Breaking the Rules Week -- wearing tights with sandals. Got a submission? Send it on over to amy.kelinda@gmail.com. See you all then!

21 comments:

  1. Aw man, I totally sent you a picture last night but I guess my email didn't go through. So sad! :(

    Love your looks! Everyone looks amazing!

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  2. AppGal -- Sorry, I really just realized I accidentally left you out after I hit "Publish" and went back immediately to add you in! I don't know how my mind forgot your entry since I remember loving it when I saw your email last night. Sigh. Brain farts. They're going to get the best of me someday.

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  3. But you know, some people say dressing in one color makes you look taller! Hm. Worth a shot, I suppose. :)

    I love all of these looks! I think my favorite is AppGal's - I'm glad you were able to add her in! :)

    Brain farts - they're awful!

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  4. I am dying laughing at your muffin top hiding heart. You are hilarious. I bet none of us would have noticed!

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  5. These outfits are great! I was looking forward to seeing what colors other folks chose; I also feel like I kind of copped out with the navy blue and wanted to see how brighter colors worked.

    Amy, I agree with mindless that we wouldn't have noticed any muffin-ness. I am a bit flabbier in the winter than I am in the summer, and I'm totally okay with that. Too cold for exercise! I really like the tie around the waist in your outfit; it creates such a beautiful line.

    Sarah is so right about "Emma Pillsbury's secret." hehe.

    AppGal, I am dying for your shoes! Teal pumps are the new neutral.

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  6. Melissa -- Hey, anything that apparently makes us seem taller is worth a shot, right? Haha!

    ms. mindless and JG -- Oh, you would've noticed. IT WAS ENORMOUS. Hahahaha!

    JG -- I love what you did with the navy! I think it's still a very lovely monochrome look. ^^

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  7. great little series.

    norma
    norma-inthisworld.blogspot.com

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  8. Just found your blog, thanks to AppGal! It's great. I think dressing in one color is a great idea. I have only dressed in black but I am open to more colors now! Thanks!

    http://cupcakeadventures12.blogspot.com/

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  9. Aw, please, you look super-fly in your chic ninja-girl/Funny Face attire! ;o) I've stopped wearing all black because for some reason the BF will start relentlessly on the Yoko Ono or Johnny Cash references, which are annoying, haha!

    All the ladies look awesome as well!

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  10. Good job ladies! I LOVE all black outfit on you, head to toe...can't go wrong with it. LOVE, seriously :)

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  11. I've really been enjoying your posts this week and wish I could have participated..but, I'm a procrastinator, so maybe next time. All the ladies have done a wonderful job and I've managed to get a couple of ideas for my own personal use. I love your monochromatic look...very Audrey Hepburn. As usual, you sense of humor made me laugh over the cute heart and your explanation of it's appearance lol.

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  12. Haha, I guess that heart is better than putting it through a liquify filter! It's certainly cuter. :D

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  13. I have to admit that I'm probably guilty of following the "never wear one color head to toe" rule...but only because I get so self-conscious and feel I look ridiculous :(
    All you ladies, however, have done a wonderful job working with the one color scheme! You all look fabulous!

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  14. haha your heart cracks me up. all these ladies looks so great!! i've been reading your breaking the rules posts all week thinking i need to participate, but just haven't gotten myself together. dang!

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  15. I'd forgotten just how classic black on black is (with sweet little barely-there flats too)- the best way to feel a little Audrey! JG and Appgal look totally stunning and sleek- all one colour indeed! And Heather in my FAVOURITE shade of green ever...singlehandedly spreading the love for 60's architecture. sigh. Thanks Amy! (and my new friend J Crew...)

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  16. LOVE it! I'm SO gonna try this look. Ohhhh, I'm gonna feel like a rebel.

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  17. Hi Amy, I sent you my pic for tomorrow's post, hope you got it :) Have a nice night.

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  18. Love all the outfits! and yes, JC gets kudos for churning out season after season drool-inducing palettes. great post!

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  19. Aww Amy, I was thinking why you were holding a heart, as it is not quite Valentines Day yet! I think you have a gorgeous body and you always choose the most flattering pieces. I love how a monochromatic outfit creates a streamlined, slimming effect. I think the only problem with wearing head-to-toe black is that I can't wear it in front of my elders, as they are traditional Chinese and black is not a lucky colour :-( I do like the idea of head-to-toe blue though, like JG! I love Sarah's outfit too.
    I sent you a pic for tomorrow's post too!

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  20. Monochromatic dressing at it's chicest. I actually love black head to toe with a slash of sass in the shoes or accessories, so Amy, I actually enjoy your all black look!!!

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  21. First time commenting here :) I'm Anne (duh)...LOVE IT!! And just as it is with ANYTHING (writing, exercising, cooking, baking..) rules ARE meant to be broken, but you HAVE to know what you're doing or it can go very bad!!! LOL Nice post! <3

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