When I was a girl, I could think of nothing more refined than my great aunt’s shoes matching her belt that matched her handbag. Together we gasped at the idea of someone wearing brown boots with a black cinch. I shuddered at the thought of jeans with a green top, blue polka dot shoes, a red belt and jeans. Too many colours! You don’t know where you are, with that do you? Or do you?
If you watched the 2010 season of Project Runway, you will know that nothing appalls Heid Klum and Michael Kors like something matching something else on your outfit. Could my love affair with matching really be over? Behold also the zefrank Pre-Date Confidence Builder and click on, “Does this outfit go together?”
Some have not got the hint. Exhibit A: Katie Holmes and Suri. Exhibit B: Ashley Olsen. Exhibit C: Oh My goodness, whoever these people are.
Though, on the other hand, just last week online, some were heralding shoes matching with dresses and Fall 2011 collections featured matchy-matchy combinations even from Michael Kors. What would Heidi say?
If you’re going to match, think Dita von Teese: bold, vintage and gloriously unselfconscious. If in doubt, swap one matching accessory for a muted non-matching one. And take one off, while you’re at it.
All of the monochrome looks pictured above are available through Reiss.
Published on 8 August 2011 by Esmerelda Clark