Part one of this series on simple ways how to style a dress is here.

This is part 2. A monochrome look is always stylish and elegant and is actually incredibly easy to put together. It’s a great go-to option for days when you want to look more put-together or don’t have a lot of time to spend on figuring out prints.

Step 1: choose a color (make sure it’s a color in which you have a variety of pieces)

Step 2: choose your first item out of these options: top, bottom or dress

Step 3: if your item was a top, find a bottom (skirt, pants, shorts, etc.) in the same color (but it could be a different shade). If it was a bottom, find a top (blouse, t-shirt, tank top, sweater, etc.) following the same specifications.

Step 4: You can make the look more formal by adding a blazer or more casual by adding a cardigan (both in your chosen color). This is also needed for colder weather if your look so far has short sleeves

Step 5: if it’s cold, add closed shoes, otherwise add sandals or slides. Ideally the shoes will be in the same color, but this could get difficult so for light color outfits, add light color neutral shoes in white, grey or beige and for darker color outfits you can go for black, brown or grey.

Step 6 (optional): add jewelry. You can add almost anything here since monochrome looks don’t have busy prints to compete with the pieces.

You’re done.

Thank you for reading. Be kind. Be you.

If it speaks to you, I’m wearing:

Black dress, similar here, here and here

Black blazer, similar here, here and here

Black ankle boots, similar here, here and here

Statement necklace, similar here, here and here