A monochrome look doesn’t have to be monotone, as Nosferatu alum Nicholas Hoult recently proved. Recently spotted in London doing press for his new film Superman, the actor donned a brown sleeveless Prada top and tailored trousers with pleats, both of which effortlessly matched. Sharp, striking, and elegant, the rhyming combination showed off the streamlined silhouette and increased visual impact of a matching set — a clutch style move that’s more difficult to accomplish than one might suspect.
With the Skins star as a reference, we’ve landed on five rules to master monochrome dressing for men. Plus, you’ll find a slew of stylish shopping ideas that bring the trend to life — from textured virgin wool trousers to bespoke double-breasted suits. Here’s how to pull off this pairing well.
Check the Texture
Different fabrics catch and reflect light in different ways, creating an entirely different visual impression depending on not just what colour you’re wearing, but what material that colour is made of. Mix and match contrasting textures to strike an interesting balance and to create some distinction between top and bottom without compromising the symmetry of the look — the soft, buttery brown of Hoult’s shirt, for instance, is set off against the firmer, more structured material of the pants.
Same Colour, Different Shade
Variation can exist even within a monochrome ensemble, where slightly different shades of the same colour — an espresso top versus a taupe bottom, for example — can widen the range of the creative expression while keeping the whole fit uniform.
Focus on Shape
One of the prevailing rules of a good monochrome outfit is that the silhouette matters that much more when the colours are the same. In Hoult’s case, he’s wearing tailored pants and a slim-fitting shirt, which combine for a streamlined, clean-looking outfit whose sleek aesthetic is amplified and maximized by the colour coordination.
Find Contrast in Accessories
While Hoult’s ensemble is uniform, his accessories are not — the gold watch, black shoes, and black handbag all add a notable pop against the monochrome outfit, breaking up the visuals and serving as crucial punctuation. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of bolder colour here, too.
Avoid Too Many Similarities
Finding the right balance in a motorhome outfit means avoiding tones and pieces that are notably similar but not identical — a suit jacket and dress pants, for example, that are the same material and texture but slightly different shades. Anything too close looks accidental, like you couldn’t find the matching set.
FEATURE IMAGE COURTESY OF BOTTEGA VENETA.
