Effortlessly cool and surprisingly easy to wear, tonal dressing is one of the top trends for 2021. Perfect for cosy days on the sofa, boxset binges and late-night baking sessions, this laid-back look will see you through lockdown living in style. Keep scrolling to discover how to perfect tonal dressing.
What Is Tonal Dressing?
Tonal dressing is all about wearing clothes in similar shades to create a coordinated look. Think beige knitted jumpers teamed with caramel joggers, or work your favourite jeans with a powder blue top and matching blue slippers. More is more when it comes to the shades you love!
Keeping a focus on harmonising colours, tonal dressing also uses texture to bring interest and depth to outfits. This means velour, fuzzy knits and ribbed cotton all get a yes! When done right, this fashion-forward trend is the ultimate way to refresh your wardrobe.
How To Perfect Tonal Dressing
We know that wearing one colour head-to-toe can seem daunting – even if you’re only cuddling up at home! Luckily, the trend is easier to style than you might think. Simply follow our step-by-step guide to discover how to perfect tonal dressing.
1. Pick The Right Tonal Colour
When it comes to tonal dressing, the secret to success is picking the right colour palette. While bold shades like cherry red and bright pink are quick wins for summer, neutral tones are more suited to transitional seasons and colder months. From stone and taupe to pastel shades, there’s no shortage of subtle inspiration to choose from.
Natural colours also make great camera-friendly options. From WFH meetings to video calls with pals and family virtual quizzes – you’ll no longer be dressing your bottom half in PJs!
2. Style Up With Similar Shades
To keep your tonal outfit looking fresh, try using a handful of shades in the same hue, whether that’s blue, beige or slate grey.
This season, we love camel loungewear sets paired with complementing shades of cream and white. You can even add a subtle pop of colour to your get-up with pale pink or lilac separates. Remember – the trick is to play around with different tints and tones to find your favourite living room look.
3. Mix Up Textures & Patterns
Worried that tonal dressing will lead to a repetitive wardrobe? Experiment with textures, patterns and prints to ensure your outfit feels anything but boring.
To give your go-to jumper and jogger set a twist, explore textures like cable knits, ribbed cotton and velvet. For days when you want to dress to impress (if only for yourself!), style up your loungewear with a patterned puff-sleeve blouse. Statement sleeves are also a winning way to take your WFH wardrobe to the next level.
4. Experiment With Layers
With crisp mornings and cold nights showing no sign of leaving us anytime soon, learning to love your layers is essential. Fortunately, layering tonal outfits is a breeze thanks to the understated vibe of the trend.
Inject some fun into your look by layering a cropped jumper over a longline top and leggings. You can also stay protected from the chill by shaking up your necklines with roll necks and crew necks. Getting those steps in on your daily walks is about to get snug!
5. Work With What You’ve Got
Tonal dressing is the perfect way to refresh well-loved (and well-worn!) staples. Think your chunky knit jumper has seen better days? Transform your look for lazy afternoons with super-comfy wide leg trousers and a jersey tee.
Want to update your joggers for power walks around the park? Easy! Just team them with trainers, a slouchy sweatshirt and a tonal coat.
6. Remember To Accessorise
Whether you’re catching up on the latest boxset, baking another batch of banana bread or reorganising your kitchen cupboards, accessories understandably take a back seat for stay-home outfits. If you’re searching for a new way to add excitement to your look, slippers are the unlikely hero you need.
From faux fur slippers and mule designs to sliders, pyjama-perfect footwear is fast becoming the accessory of the season. Extra style points for slippers that match your outfit!
Stay up to date with the latest looks for women with our women’s new in clothing, from new season loungewear and leggings to hoodies and sweatshirts
