THE JOURNAL
Some outfits are all about the proportions. Some, the fabrics – or contrast thereof. Others, the discreet labels you find on the inside, or the loud logos on the outside. Just occasionally – and this is the part that requires a tad more thought – the outfit is the colour. Not what you’re wearing, but how two shades work together. Get that combination right and the rest takes care of itself. Here, three pairings that will be doing all the talking this summer – and how you can get them spot on.
01. Burgundy and blue
In theory, burgundy and pastel blue shouldn’t work. The former is the colour of a very good Bordeaux, rich and autumnal; the latter is the shade of a clear sky that signals nothing but good-weather optimism. Yet, they do. The contrast seems to be the whole point.
“This has to be a contender for one of the best day-to-night colour combinations,” says Kit Swann, MR PORTER’s Fashion Editor. “It’s important to keep burgundy as the focus colour of the outfit, then use blues to off set the richness of the tones with something lighter and easier through simple layering techniques.”
A merlot Acne Studios polo shirt layered over a collared shirt to dress it down, for instance. A Moncler sweatshirt striped with both shades that takes the guesswork out of styling. Or a Brunello Cucinelli bomber jacket over light-wash denim.
02. Yellow and brown
This is the kind of combination that sounds like a bad idea until you see it done properly. It’s quietly become one of the most powerful pairings of the season, which is not something you’d necessarily expect.
“It might feel a little retro, but yellow is a perfect way to lift any browns in an outfit,” Swann says. “Perhaps through the pop of a yellow shoe against darker trousers, or a yellow T-shirt under a jacket, it’s playful yet elevated against more ‘serious’ layers.”
Less canary, more cream or butter yellow, as perfectly exemplified by TOM FORD’s supple leather bomber jacket. With the brown, it should be akin to the cooler shade of the brand’s pleated wool trousers. It’s all about getting that balance right.
03. Green and grey
“Military wear has been gaining more and more momentum as each season passes, with olives and other green tones showing no signs of slowing down,” Swann says.
Khaki green and grey sounds like a uniform – and it is, in a way. It’s the quiet palette of those that want to stay sharp without looking like they’ve tried too hard. Try Aimé Leon Dore’s denim jacket over fluid grey jeans. Or Mr P.’s Curtis sweater over pleated trousers.
“Use a grey marl for that slightly speckled effect to give your outfit texture and successfully offset the matte greens of a heavy jacket,” Swann suggests.