Create a column of colour by wearing the same colour on the top and bottom under a third layer like a jacket, coat or cardigan. The colours needn’t be identical. Similar colours can create the same low contrast effect. The third layer can emphasize the column of colour by creating a high contrast with the column, or it can be low contrast for a more subtle overall effect.
Columns of colour needn’t be neutral, but those are the easiest to create because most people have neutrally toned tops and bottoms in their wardrobe. A black column of colour is probably the most common of all. But a column of colour can be any colour. It can be any fabric, including denim. And it can include a pattern, as long as it’s the same pattern on the top and bottom. Jumpsuits, rompers and some dresses are ready-to-go columns of colour.
The column of colour is effective for four reasons:
- It creates outfit cohesion by connecting the top and bottom of the outfit.
- It elongates the body by emphasizing the vertical and eliminating horizontal lines across the middle of the body. This is one way for petites to look visually taller.
- It is slimming.
- It is simple, and simple is a beautiful thing when you bat for Team Less Is More.
You can further accentuate the lengthening effect of a column of colour by wearing footwear in the same colour.
Stylish dressing isn’t always about lengthening, elongating or slimming. That would be boring. But creating a “long lean line” is the conventionally flattering way to dress, which makes the column of colour an easy formula to incorporate into a three piece top + bottom + topper outfit.
A column of colour is particularly useful for making hard-to-style toppers instantly wearable. So think column of colour the next time a jacket, cardigan, coat, sweater coat, or any topper is hard to style. Or if you want to elongate your outfit proportions without wearing heels.
