What brought you here?
Maybe it was some celebrity on Instagram, rocking an all-blue suit on the red carpet.
Perhaps a slick salesman came into the office today, dressed head to toe in cranberry.
Or were you stationed at your favorite coffee spot (where everyone pretends to work) and you noticed a man dressed in all-black attire — like a business-casual, macchiato-slurping ninja?
Wherever the crime happened, you saw it firsthand. And you have mixed feelings.
It feels a bit over the top. Who is this guy anyway?! But at the same time, you can't ignore your feelings… he looked pretty stylish.
So, is monochromatic fashion actually a thing for men?
The headline answer is, "Yes." The fine print below says, "Use with caution."
Luckily, you're in safe waters. Follow this concise guide, and you should step out looking like a GQ cover model.
Why you should go mono
Monochromatic fashion isn't a new thing.
In ancient times, monotone outfits were about flexing social status. Fast forward to the 1900s and single-color styles were championed by top designers like Thom Browne and Rick Owens.
But you don't care about that. What matters is what you're wearing today.
Here's what a monochromatic outfit can offer:
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Simple color choices: No combinations to think about! That should make shopping easier.
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Visible confidence: Proudly wearing one color shows you're not afraid to make a bold fashion statement.
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Chic, sophisticated style: As the cocktail menu proves, simple recipes often seem to have timeless appeal.
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A touch of celebrity: Do you know who Oscar Isaac and Henry Golding are? Me neither, but apparently they're well-known and well-dressed. Both embrace the monochrome style — so why shouldn't you?
In other words, there's every reason to experiment with monochrome fashion.
Everyday examples of monochrome style
To give you an idea of what monochrome looks like in the real world, here are three outfits for different occasions.
Feel free to steal these. They only took us all day to make…
The formal-ish mono outfit
Best for: Weddings, important dinners, graduations, yada yada.
Slip on a well-fitted suit with a matching tonal shirt and tie — maybe slightly lighter or darker. Alternatively, swap the suit for sharp dress pants and a blazer in the same color family.
The mono outfit for work and date night
Best for: Impressing your boss, then impressing your date.
Pair Jetsetter Pants with our Tech Polo, both in Deep Blue or Charcoal Gray. Clean, sharp, and easy.
The mono weekend
Best for: Turning heads at the BBQ, getting baristas to notice you.
Put on jeans that match your favorite AnyTime Tee and finish with a denim jacket in the same tone. Or go even more casual with joggers and a hoodie.
We recommend keeping it light, with grays, blues, or even all-white (as long as you're not eating spaghetti).
Choosing the perfect color for your mono outfit
If you're going to dress yourself entirely in one color, you'd better make a good choice.
When monochrome goes wrong, it's usually because people choose a hue they like rather than something that complements them.
You might like bright yellow. But if you wear a suit in this shade, you'll look like a giant, misshapen banana. And that's not even an innuendo.
If you want to avoid all fruit-related humiliation, follow these guidelines:
Start with your skin tone
You know when people dye their hair a new color and something just doesn’t look right?
Well, the same can happen with mono outfits.
If you're as pale as a snowman, you might look a bit frostbitten in blues and whites. But you'll probably look great in sunny colors.
The aim of the game is to identify colors that complement your skin tone.
Except, you don't look like the kind of guy who's going to study color theory for an outfit. So, we made a cheat sheet:
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Fair skin: Blues, greens, and grays
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Medium skin: Earthy tones
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Darker skin: Burgundy, olive, and bold colors
Consider your body type
Color can have a big impact on your overall physical appearance.
Built for the NBA? Darker grays and blues make your height less obvious, so people won't notice how dangerously close your head is to the ceiling.
Better suited for limbo? Wearing a lighter shade should emphasize every inch, so you can finally return those Cuban heels.
We recommend applying this knowledge to your mono choices.
How brave are you feeling?
A good color choice isn't just about appearance. Fashion is a mental game.
When you're experimenting with mono outfit ideas for the first time, it's worth playing it safe.
Stick with more subtle shades — if you get it wrong, no one will notice. Well, at least not everyone.
In contrast, choosing burgundy or deep red is guaranteed to attract attention. Choose this if you're keen to stand out from the crowd, and confident in your style.
How to avoid looking like a blob
One challenge of monochromatic style is that you can't rely on color to create contrast.
And without contrast, you're basically a unicolor blob. (Don't take it personally.)
The workaround is using texture and layering to separate different parts of your outfit.
Thinking in textures and layers
You probably haven't thought much about the texture of your clothes.
Well, now is the time.
As you construct your monochrome outfit, try to select garments that cover several of these fabric types:
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Smooth: Like our ever-so-comfortable Anytime Tee, which is made from Modal and spandex.
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Textured: Think corduroy pants or a wool sweater.
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Matte: Knits and polos on your top, and chinos on your behind.
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Subtle sheen: When you rock a leather jacket and Jetsetter Tech Pants (good choice, sir).
Aim for at least two in every outfit. The more, the merrier.
Pro tip: It's possible to get away with zero texture contrast if you embrace layering. Put a light sweater over a tee and finish with a jacket. Boom, visual contrast.
Using accessories to riff on the theme
There are no rules of monochromatic style. You won't be sentenced to extended time with your in-laws for introducing an extra hue or three.
That said, this technique usually works best when you drop a hint of another color, rather than a splash.
You can achieve this level of subtlety with accessories.
Say you've chosen to wear dark gray. Try adding a gold watch as a glimmering point of interest. The warm color of the metal will contrast nicely with your cool gray attire. A leather strap could add extra texture.
You also get a free swing with your footwear. Try pairing dark, rich mono outfits with white sneakers. Similarly, light colors go well with loafers.
Monochrome pitfalls to avoid
If you take all this advice to heart, you should end up with some great monochrome looks.
And we definitely trust your fashion judgment. For sure. Completely.
But just to be safe, can we quickly look at some common mistakes? You know, the ones that other people make.
Great, thanks. Please don't do these:
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The exact match trap: Trying to match colors perfectly is almost impossible. It also gives you supervillain vibes. So, just stick to shades in the same color family.
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Ignoring fit: Baggy, cheap-looking fabric in one solid color? Might as well wear pajamas. Make sure everything fits well if you're embracing the mono look.
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Overdoing the bright colors: There's something about the mono idea that makes people leave all taste at the front door. This is a helpful reminder: Dressing like a rock star doesn't make you one.
You're now a monochrome maestro
Let's recap.
Just minutes ago, you wondered if monochrome was even a thing.
Now look at you. You're thinking about layering textures and combining different shades within the same color family to create an amazing mono outfit. Or maybe not. We can't tell from that expression.
Either way, you're prepared to explore the world of monochromatic fashion.
If you need to upgrade your wardrobe, our range is a great place to start. Just pick up some Jetsetter Tech Pants and our new Tech Polo in the same color, and you're ready to go!
