In fashion terms, monochromatic dressing means wearing separates of one colour that have different textures and/or similar shades of that colour for an overall tonal look. Mostly, people confuse it with dressing in black and white tones. While mixing patterns can look a bit fussy and colour-blocking a bit cheesy, wearing a single shade is a simpler, cleaner approach to putting an outfit together. In fact, when you keep your overall outfit within the same hue, especially black and white, the outcome can be just as striking as wearing a bold pattern or vivid colour.

Fuse together your classic pieces with contemporary purchases to make a cost-effective, trendy go to wardrobe for yourself. You might not need to buy anything additionally at all to achieve this chic, polished style. Wearing multiple layers of varied textures of one colour can add depth and dimension to an outfit, while also allowing you to highlight, or downplay, certain parts of your body. For example, if you have long legs and tend to carry your weight above the waist, consider straight cut white jeans or trousers with a white shirt and an embroidered ethnic black coat on top. You could also go for a net and laced A-line shirt. This will draw and keep attention to your lean lower body.

To bring the focus upward or toward your face, try wearing bottoms with a slightly darker shade and work your way up with lighter, brighter variations of that colour family. If the ease of adopting this surprisingly easy yet sophisticated style hasn’t already convinced you to give it a whirl, then consider this: when dressing monochromatically, your outfit has one uninterrupted line from head to toe that elongates your silhouette, making you appear slimmer and taller than you actually are. Whether it’s top-to-bottom jewel tones, winter whites, or a neutral ensemble, monochromic dressing definitely offers visual relief from the more frenzied trends of past seasons. No matter your shape or style, monochromatic always looks sharp, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Pair your plain black shirt with printed wide-legged pants for an ethnic look.

Teaming black and white is an easy shortcut to pared-back elegance, a high-contrast approach to getting dressed that can be as formal or as laid-back as you like. Wearing black with white is so easy to mix and match. Looking to make a chic statement without putting in much effort? Just pair black pants and top with statement shoes and a few funky accessories. The best part is that there are no rules: black and white is a colour combination that isn’t dictated to by the changing seasons. So whether that means to lend a sporty edge to black, tapered trousers or a black knit with white jeans on days when the weather won’t make its mind up – anything goes.

The perfect way to make an outfit clean and crisp is to wear it in white. To further elevate the outfit, sport separates in edgy cuts that will add creative details to your overall look. Make use of another often overlooked wardrobe essential: the blazer. Many of us have numerous styles of pants and tops hanging in our wardrobes and will be quick to question the wearability of a blazer. But this staple can easily add finesse and class to your look. It can take your outfit from day to night, casual to formal, and even vice versa if you pair it with relaxed items. Stock your monochrome with tops that will go a long way with you – cut-out, peplum, ones with frills, tassles, a bit more sophisticated detailing like stones, sequins and pearls. These will be great for days when you are wearing denim as well as when you want to dress up in a business attire. You can just pair this top with your dress pants and razor sharp stilettos along with a classy blazer.

The beauty of curating a wardrobe with monochromatic pieces at the core means not only is it easier to throw an outfit together on busy mornings (when getting dressed has to be done in two minutes flat), but it provides the perfect capsule for packing when taking long or short city breaks. Throw in some simple but eye-catching accessories – nude heels, a statement necklace, a printed scarf and a metallic clutch bag, and the same outfit can be your faultless throughout the day.