Good things come in pairs. Whether it's buses, the line at
Noah's Ark, or lists of analogies: they make us believe that life is made of
matches. Which, as anyone who has suffered from a working iPod headset knows,
is true.
And the corresponding mantra seems to affect our wardrobes.
After years of being told to mix up and avoid a blocky ensemble, Wooyungmi,
Berthold, and Versace sent fully coordinated looks to the SS16 runways - we're
talking purple-toned outfits, floral two-piece and monochrome shorts, and
shirt. sets.
Of course, few men have the balls (or the desire) to rock
Milan's fanciest trends, but Main Street has diluted the ensemble in a more
agreeable way. And there is a lot to choose from. However, that doesn't make
the perfect combination easy to use. As with all left field trends, there is a
margin of error. Here's how to navigate it.
PLAY BY THE RULES
While there are rules to follow with contact details, they
are simpler than you might think. "There are various contexts in which
sets will thrive or struggle," says Kasia Katner, stylist for Thread. “And
the secret is to know your environment and choose accordingly. A full set can
look great on the holidays or a night out, but less so if you need a traditional
dressing.
And the accessories? “The matching pattern, be it print,
color or texture, is your statement and you don't need any more color from your
backpack or sneakers. Keep everything else quiet and let the coordinator
discuss himself.
HOLD ON TO THE DEPTHS
A back-to-back botanical print packs a punch, but is there a
more subtle way to get into the coordinated trend? “A tone-on-tone outfit is an
easy way to get into the coordinates,” explains Katner. "Classic colors
like navy blue or black provide a minimalist look."
While blocky monochrome is easy to achieve, an all-black set
is nothing groundbreaking. This is where the choice of fabric comes into play.
“Choosing a variety of textures can add depth to your outfit. Chevrons, treated
cottons and select knits can elevate the look of the norm without relying on
bold prints or patterns.
Lookbook Men's Tone-on-Tone Coordinated Neutral Set
Lookbook
SEE EXAMPLE
Neutral coordinating pieces for men.
FOLLOW THE ROUTE OF FLOWERS
Assimilation of flowers into men's clothing is ancient, but
head-to-toe hydrangeas are less common. Which means there are a few rules to
keep in mind before walking through the rose garden.
"Familiar prints like flowers work well, but stick with
a paler classic iteration," explains Katner. “Full coordination in a
bright floral color can look disguised and, unless you're on a runway, it can
also be quite difficult to achieve. "
But printing doesn't have to be limited to just, well,
flowers. Street shots include palm fronds, forestry, and microprints; it
doesn't have to be a full greenhouse to be considered floral.
Inspiration lookbook for floral outfits for men
SEE EXAMPLE
Floral matching pieces for men
SURE
Just as tone is an option, so is an outfit that could
challenge a pride flag. But it is not for everyone. "Bright color
coordinates are much more striking than calmer shades," explains Katner.
"So only go there if you are confident and don't mind paying special
attention; the contact details are not for wallflowers.
What is a valid point. Half the skill of styling (not to mention tough trends) is being comfortable in your outfit. If you're nervous and your knees are shaking, chances are good that you look and feel silly.
First of all, make sure that the tones suit not only each
other, but also your skin tone; Hot pink doesn't work for many skin tones.
Emerald green, cobalt blue, and burnt orange, on the other hand? Easier.
(Related: How To Choose The Right Colors For Your Skin Tone)
Lookbook of matching sets in bright colors for men
SEE EXAMPLE
Matching pieces in vivid colors for me
CHARMING PRINT
If primary colors or thoughts aren't your thing, there's a
great selection of prints on hand. Stripes, camouflage, geometric or polka
dots, there are several volumes and tones, but the same rules