Queen Elizabeth II, one of Britain's most enduring monarchs, was known for her distinctive style, often curated with her senior dresser Angela Kelly. Her signature approach involved unapologetically monochromatic outfits, built around a single color and accessorized with her iconic black Launer handbag and loafers, ensuring she stood out.
Today, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, continues this colorful legacy, updating the tonal approach by extending it to her accessories. This styling technique, known as monochromatic or tonal dressing, is a simple method for creating a cohesive and polished look.
The key to successful monochromatic dressing lies in combining different shades and textures within the same color family. This creates depth and dimension while maintaining an overall unified aesthetic. With several standout shades trending this season, embracing this style has become more accessible.
Trending Tones for Tonal Dressing
This season offers a rich palette for those looking to adopt a tonal wardrobe. Burgundy, a favorite of the Princess of Wales and Zara Tindall, is experiencing a significant resurgence. This deep, warm, and luxurious hue can be worn head-to-toe for an instantly radiant effect.
Earthy shades like cocoa brown are also prominent for autumn and winter. This versatile, richer alternative to black offers a modern and refined look. It can also be more flattering than stark black for certain complexions.
Teal, described as transformative, blends deep blue with aquatic green to create a striking jewel tone. Recognized by WGSN and Coloro as a color of the year, teal offers a fashion-forward choice that is both energizing and elegant.
Soft off-white, identified as Cloud Dancer by Pantone, provides a delicate balance between warm and cool tones. This shade acts as a neutral canvas, perfect for creating a look that feels light, clean, and quietly luxurious.
These colors and the monochromatic styling technique offer a way to achieve an instantly polished appearance, echoing the style choices of both the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Princess of Wales.