Like Looking Rich? This is the Only Outfit Trend You Need to Care About

If I’m an advocate for anything in fashion, it’s to break the traditional “rules” we’ve all taken to heart. “Wearing all-black is too boring.” “Avoid wearing white after Labor Day.” Sorry, but says who? In my experience, the chicest and most expensive-looking outfits are the ones that go against the traditional rulebook and chief among them is the monochromatic outfit. When I look at the chicest women I know and analyze what they’re wearing, it’s almost exclusively shades of beige, white, and off-white. And more often than not, it’s one of those shades at a time. So let this be your official green light: monochromatic looks—whether they be all-black, all-white, or any color in between—are always worth breaking the rules for.

The reason monochromatic looks are so successful at appearing “rich” is that they’re automatically put-together without much effort. They key to pulling them off, I’ve noticed, is choosing pieces that are in the same color spectrum but ever so slightly different which helps each piece have a visual moment rather than everything blending into one big blob of fabric. Take it from an editor with a well-trained eye: monochromatic outfits make “wealthy” dressing so easy. Get inspired by these tonal looks to style one yourself.

1. Midi Dress + Bag + Sandals

The best part about a midi dress is that it’s basically its own outfit. While they usually don’t take much to style, choosing a handbag and sandals in the same color will pull the look together in seconds flat, making it appear far more curated than it likely was.

2. Cape + Trousers

There’s nothing “richer”-looking in my book than wearing an all-white outfit—it says I have both my private driver and dry cleaner on speed dial. With a drapey cape top? It exudes even more wealth. Wear one with tailored trousers and add in black accessories like a leather belt to break up the tonal look.

3. Long Sleeve Knit Top + Asymmetric Skirt

Unless you live under a rock, you know just how hard butter yellow is trending right now. The most expensive way to wear the color, however, is actually from head to toe, like this coordinated yellow skirt-and-top combo worn by Anne-Laure Mais. Warm-toned neutrals like camel and beige make for complimentary accents.

4. Knit Tee + Tailored Trousers

Normally, the thought of a “groutfit” conjures images of sweatpants and sneakers, but in this case, an all-grey look consisting of a ’90s-inspired knit tee and tailored trousers couldn’t be chicer. Opt for a darker shade of grey to ensure the look feels ultra-sophisticated.

5. Shacket + Turtleneck Top + Column Skirt

Camel is about as “wealthy” as it gets with color trends, so going all-in on a monochromatic ensemble dials up the energy to level 10. Try pieces in varying shades of camel and beige for a dimensional effect.

6. Long Coat + Textured Top + Fluid Trousers

Perhaps I spoke too soon… the only thing even more expensive-looking than an all-white outfit is an all-ivory one. Go with fluid, relaxed tailoring like trousers and a trench coat that read as ultra-“rich”.

7. Oversize Pantsuit + Scoop-Neck Tank

Swap your standard all-black uniform for chocolate brown to give off a wealthy vibe without trying too hard. Classic staples like blazers, trousers, and tanks are suddenly so forward and chic in the nutty brown hue.

8. Trench Coat + Tights + Pumps

This is your sign not to sleep on colored tights. They’re a cheap accessory but a powerful styling tool that takes any otherwise straightforward look to new heights. In the colder months when your coat is your whole outfit, adding a pair of tights in a matching hue is a genius move.

9. Leather Coat + Midi Skirt + Flats

Play with textures to create more interest in an otherwise monochromatic outfit. Leather and suede, linen and eyelet, plissé and denim—the combinations are virtually endless.

10. Bikini + Sheer Pants + Button-Down Shirt

With vacation season arriving, that means we’ll be seeing a lot more of these “rich” outfits not just on the street but by the beach or pool, too. One way fashion people will tap into the tonal vibe if by coordinating their coverups with their swimwear for a chic resortwear moment.