The Ultimate Guide to Monochrome Fashion

How to Nail One-Colour Styling | UK & USA Advice | Best Brands | Smart Sizing with Tellar.co.uk

What Is Monochrome Fashion?

Monochrome dressing means wearing a single colour or tonal variation throughout an outfit. While many associate it with all-black or all-white outfits, monochrome encompasses any colour family—from taupe to navy to burnt orange.

Done well, it makes a style statement that’s sleek, modern and timeless. Done poorly, it can look flat, bulky or one-note. The key to mastering it? Texture, tone, tailoring—and fit.

🧠 Why Monochrome Works

Streamlined silhouette: A single shade elongates the body
Minimal effort, maximum polish: Easy to put together, looks styled
Versatile base: Works for smart-casual, workwear or formal events
Perfect for capsule wardrobes: Colour cohesion makes layering simple

Whether you’re shopping COS, Arket, or The Row, getting the right fit is what elevates monochrome from “basic” to “effortlessly tailored.”

How to Build a Monochrome Outfit

1. Pick Your Palette

Start with one colour family—think:

Neutrals: beige, cream, taupe, grey
Earth tones: olive, rust, tan
Bold tones: red, cobalt, mustard
Cool hues: navy, charcoal, steel

Stick to cool with cool and warm with warm to maintain cohesion.

2. Mix Textures, Not Colours

A successful monochrome look uses texture to add depth:

Combine knits with leather, denim with satin, linen with wool.
Avoid head-to-toe cotton or jersey—it flattens the look.

3. Play with Proportions

Balance tight with oversized. For example:

Cropped camel knit + wide-leg beige trousers
Structured navy blazer + slim-cut trousers

4. Keep Accessories Tonal

Shoes, bags, belts and jewellery should echo the outfit’s tone. Metallics (especially gold or silver) work well in minimalist settings.

👗 Best Monochrome Pieces to Own

Wool coat or trench
Tailored trousers
Fine-knit jumpers or turtlenecks
Shift dresses or shirt dresses
Boxy blazer or suit jacket
Matching co-ord sets
Suede or leather shoes in the same hue

→ For silhouette guidance, read The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body TypesInstruction on Posts

Best High Street Brands (UK & USA)

Brand	Region	Monochrome Strengths
COS	UK/EU/US	Sculptural tailoring, neutral palettes
Arket	UK/EU	Tonal basics in organic fabrics
Massimo Dutti	UK/EU	Earth-toned minimalism with elegance
Everlane	USA	Clean lines, sustainable fabrications
M&S Autograph	UK	Soft tailoring, monochrome-ready classics
& Other Stories	UK/EU	Feminine edge with solid colour sets

All of these brands are mapped in Tellar's database—check your size across each instantly using Tellar’s Store Size Lookup ToolInstruction on Posts

👑 Best Designer Labels for Monochrome

Totême – Iconic Scandinavian minimalism, perfect for tonal dressing
The Row – Luxurious neutrals in perfectly cut silhouettes
Victoria Beckham – Modern monochrome in clean tailoring
Max Mara – Known for camel coats and tonal suiting
Reiss – Elevated basics in timeless colours (bridging high street and luxury)

→ Match your body to each of these brands using Tellar’s Store Size LookupInstruction on Posts

Outfit Ideas for Monochrome Success

Workwear: Charcoal Grey

Grey blazer + grey trousers + steel knit top + grey loafers

🌿 Weekend: Olive

Olive cargo trousers + tonal cotton t-shirt + khaki shacket + olive suede trainers

🖤 Evening: All Black

Silk camisole + cigarette trousers + tuxedo jacket + patent heels

→ The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Tuxedo SuitsInstruction on Posts

☁️ Smart Casual: Cream

Wide-leg cream trousers + ivory shirt + beige wool coat + neutral bag

📏 UK vs USA Sizing in Monochrome Staples

Garment	UK Size	US Size	Fit Tip
Tailored trousers	UK 12	US 8	Always check waist & hip measurements
Outerwear	UK 10	US 6	Consider layering space for blazers/coats
Knitwear	M	S/M	Check bust and armhole width
Dresses	UK 14	US 10	Look at length + bust shaping details

→ UK vs USA vs European Clothing SizesInstruction on Posts

→ Finding Your Clothes SizeInstruction on Posts

🧭 Why Tellar.co.uk Is the Secret to Perfect Monochrome

Every piece in a monochrome look needs to fit just right. Too tight or too loose disrupts the streamlined aesthetic. Tellar makes it simple:

✅ How Tellar.co.uk Works:

Measure once – bust, waist, hips or enter your best-fitting brand
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool
→ Use the Store Size Lookup
See your exact size in COS, Arket, Reiss, Massimo Dutti, Everlane and more
Shop smarter – No more guesswork, fewer returns, better fits
Always free, in-browser, no download
→ tellar.co.uk

📚 Explore Tellar’s Free Fashion Hub

📱 Follow Tellar for Styling, Fit Science & Monochrome Inspiration

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
Pinterest: TellarSizing

✅ Final Takeaway

Monochrome style is a modern essential. Whether your palette is black, beige, navy or beyond, success comes from fit, not just colour. Tellar.co.uk gives you the tools to build a wardrobe that fits every time—with expert sizing data and 100% independent advice.

tellar.co.uk to get started today

📏 Create your profile, use the Store Size Lookup, and download your free tape measure

💡 Explore thousands of free stylist posts via the Tellar Fashion Hub

Tellar.co.uk — Honest. Unbiased. Independent. Always Free.