https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:18:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2377135 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 18:46:44 +0000 SarahD8 2377135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well! I am sorry to have posted and run which turned into a much longer than anticipated YLF hiatus! (All is well, I've just been having trouble balancing all the proverbial demands on my time especially around the holidays.)</p> <p>But thank you all for your very thoughtful comments on my rather inarticulate and uncertain post. Also, how fun that it seems to have sparked a tonal challenge on the forum! I will endeavor to catch up on the various threads now.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have been doing some further reflecting and also noodling on your comments here, and I think I'm a little closer to understanding where I want to go with this style shift that I mentioned. I'll save that for a 2024 wrap-up/2025 look-ahead post in the next couple of days.</p> <p>Until then, thankyouthankyou to the forum for all your helpful input! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375829 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 03:09:17 +0000 judy 2375829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really enjoyed this video.&nbsp; I think I intuitively dress a bit tonally, but I found her tips gave me more insight and permission to play with it.&nbsp; Thx! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375710 Wed, 04 Dec 2024 02:52:05 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2375710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like this outfit, the tonal sweater and pants, and the way the beautiful ring echoes the boots. I think you nailed the concept. The vest and bag add another set of tones, to my eye, which is very harmonious. I watched the video and really enjoyed it; thanks for sharing it. Lots to think about and try out! I like your idea of pulling a dominant color from a pattern and using that as a basis for a tonal outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375334 Sat, 30 Nov 2024 13:56:51 +0000 Janet 2375334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoy HLP too. Her videos are thoughtful and sometimes give me ideas and insights, even though I don’t necessarily share her aesthetic. Funny, because I can say the same for Trinny Woodall on the other end of the style and personality spectrum, LOL. </p> <p>I like your tonal approach here. I’m a big fan of tonal looks, even though I have a hard time creating interesting ones because, like you, I’m more reliant on color in my tops than bottoms. 90% of my pants are black or blue/denim. I often start with a tonal ensemble and then add a little something to accent. </p> <p>I’m feeling a shift too. A bit more simple in terms of prints. Leaning into my preferred blues and greens, with some burgundy. Feeling way off of bright red now, for a few reasons. Ease in fits and almost nothing tight or bodycon unless it’s being layered. Lessening tolerance for any discomfort in footwear. Etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375321 Sat, 30 Nov 2024 05:50:49 +0000 Jenni NZ 2375321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Could only manage 6 minutes of the video so far. But I did like her graphs. Not sure I have thought about tonal dressing very much? Occasionally. I wear more contrast.<br /> I like both your outfits here, the tonal and the one with contrasting vest and bag. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375289 Fri, 29 Nov 2024 20:00:23 +0000 Sal 2375289@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks - I enjoyed the video. Some stunning outfits although of course these were loaned for the video so not all from her closet. But I liked the pieces and mostly agreed with her tips to make it work.</p> <p>I don’t have a lot of options for tonal dressing. </p> <p>When I wore the lilac below i wore white sneakers - this is a try on rather than a real outfit worn out - I don’t have lilac shoes. I have worn the green finds below but with white sneakers again not my green shoes - it felt one piece too many.</p> <p>I will experiment and see what I can come up with. I can do white, black, blue and maybe a fawn/camel combo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375267 Fri, 29 Nov 2024 01:30:05 +0000 Suz 2375267@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Brooklyn</b>, thank you for this visual. It gives great inspiration! I can see myself doing versions of this much more than solid monochrome or even tonal. And I see absolutely about the pattern. I am going to play around with this in my own closet.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375262 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 22:22:58 +0000 Brooklyn 2375262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your outfit. I agree the vest and bag adds contrast but the foundational aspects are tonal.</p> <p>I absolutely love tonal dressing. To me tonal dressing is more soft and moody. While contrast dressing is more fresh and punchy.</p> <p>I would say maybe 70% of my outfits in warmer weather are tonal. I have lots of different coloured skirts and because I dye a lot of my tops I have lots of different tops that tone with them without exactly matching.</p> <p>In cool weather I am heavily reliant on blue jeans so I don’t wear tonal looks as much. But that is changing as I do have some coloured options now in red, plum, teal and green thanks to DIY dye. And some coloured denim skirts :)</p> <p>I actually don’t think it runs contrary to tonal dressing to wear pattern. But, as you say, I think you need to choose the dominant colour of the pattern. Or, choose a pattern that is of itself tonal. Here are a few of my outfits that use pattern that I would still call tonal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375254 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 17:11:06 +0000 Suz 2375254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I enjoyed the video, <b>Sarah</b> -- thanks for sharing.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think Hannah looks beautiful and comfortable in those gorgeous and elegant items and she gives some great tips for making tonal dressing possible.&nbsp;</p> <p>I made up some collections of tonal items in Finds, as Carla does. I think, like <b>Carla</b>, I would have some difficulty doing this successfully, even though my closet is larger and I have a restricted colour palette. I am acquiring the bottoms to move beyond the obvious (for me) blue -- I&nbsp; purchased burgundy and cranberry red last year, and got a lilac pant this year. But I feel as if I'm lacking the textural variation even to do tonal super successfully in blue. I might be wrong, though. I will experiment when I get home.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think, like slim cat, I never feel entirely "me" in a purely tonal outfit -- I need a hit of pattern somewhere. Admittedly, this could come from shoes or bag or a scarf alone. I do love dressing in all white out. (or tonal white/ cream). That might be my most successful (to me!) experiment in that style. Hmmmm. Maybe I will ponder the whys of that.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375252 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 16:33:07 +0000 Star (Lise) 2375252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing. I found the tonal dressing tips particularly useful. Definitely going to keep these in mind. For me keeping the accessories in the same colour family, but not necessarily the same colour, is a biggie. I like her red and burgundy example in this regard. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375250 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 14:11:34 +0000 Kate 2375250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have not followed HLP, but I certainly love tonal dressing. Today I’m wearing a ribbed chocolate brown sweater, brown jeans &amp; boots. My quilted bag is also chocolate bag. I feel perfectly me in total brownout! For contrast, my coat is gray as are my gloves. My scarf is cream. I match the weather here today in Budapest!</p> <p>Will watch HLP’s video tonight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375246 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:13:53 +0000 Carla 2375246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here’s a challenge for you&nbsp;<b>SarahD8</b>:</p> <p>#1 tonal outfit with one other colour from ‘neutrals’<br />#2 tonal outfit and one other colour&nbsp;<b>not&nbsp;</b>neutral<br />#3 tonal outfit as base and&nbsp;<i>two&nbsp;</i>other colours </p> <p>Photograph, analyze, and see how you&nbsp;<i>feel&nbsp;</i>about your outfits.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375245 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:09:21 +0000 Carla 2375245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the <i>idea</i>&nbsp;of tonal dressing, but like you, am lacking in bottoms to support a wide range of colour options for the method, and enough <b>texture</b>&nbsp;to keep outfits interesting. I do have a restricted colour palette (see pic below for 2024 version) in my closet - and try to ensure bottoms as well as tops in any specific colour capsule. &nbsp;That way, I can do tonal if I wish, but I can also mix it up. &nbsp;(I sort my closet by colour.) &nbsp;I think going totally tonal is a big commitment - best done over the long run. &nbsp;Ensuring all the right outerwear and footwear can be $$$. &nbsp;</p> <p> <div><br /></div><div>I keep colour capsules in ‘Finds’ which helps me see where the holes are. &nbsp;Below is my ‘red’ capsule. &nbsp;It’s probably my most complete for tonal dressing - after black and navy. &nbsp;I can do red sweater, skirt, and bag. &nbsp;I would do a red beret for going out in the winter - but would wear a non-tonal coat (grey wool or black and white checked wool) and black footwear. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>FWIW, committing to a restricted colour palette and sorting/arranging closet accordingly (like a rainbow) would be first steps to committing to a tonal way of dressing and closet management. Start as a ‘part-time’ tonal dresser, then work your way to full time - if that’s your aesthetic. &nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375244 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:25:37 +0000 slim cat 2375244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haven't seen the video yet - love both outfits! <br />The tonal dressing is somewhat wrong on me - I do better with some contrast/print/color.&nbsp;<br />I used to avoid amber jewelry before - it was too warm toned for me but recently got earrings with some turquoise and amber together ( fun combinations and just enough to work well with blue denim with light brown belt ).&nbsp;<br />About my bags - and I'm not a bag person either:<br />-black leather bag for winter; <br />-nylon black bag with some print ( soft pink flowers with small green leaves ) - great in rainy weather and work well enough with my dark green puffer;&nbsp;<br />-mixed metallic small bag for mid season;<br />&nbsp;-in need of a summer bag now ( white/off white/soft yellow/blue ... with some fun elements/details &nbsp;- work in progress ). There are couple bags that just too small for every day wear and maybe too attention pulling in some ways. I guess it's a bit chaotic as well.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375234 Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:33:21 +0000 Jaime 2375234@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also a fan of Hannah's fashion videos (I am not that into makeup but she has done a fair amount of thoughtful fashion videos that I enjoy) and I like how you used her for inspiration but made it your own. Interesting point about adding some bold jewelry as a gamine thing - HLP is very tall and I, for one, am fairly short. Luxe tonal dressing would read completely differently on me. Anyway, you look lovely! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375230 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:29:11 +0000 Dee 2375230@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your tonal outfit looks great, the cognac ring and boots really add extra oomph and dimension to it all. The Liberty vest although really nice isn’t exactly a tonal addition but does complete the outfit nicely just the same.</p> <p>Really enjoyed HLP’s video, I have seen some of her videos before but between your post and her video, I was suddenly running &nbsp;to my closet to check out some potential tonal outfits to try. It was a blast experimenting with it all. I rarely dress tonally myself but I do like rather like its simple, and sophisticated look. I’m definitely going to try to wear some of this a little more often. Thanks for the inspo <b>SarahD8</b>, </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375229 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:19:08 +0000 Angie 2375229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a YOU ring! Like that for you, with the column of brown and cognac.<b>&nbsp;</b>The ring loves you back!</p> <p>My dear <b>Sarah,</b> you live in Seattle. You kind of have to be an outerwear person!!! It's a serious need across a range of lengths, thicknesses and fabrics. Often, the outerwear IS the outfit! I can help you prioritize if you like. It can be a tight capsule, but you'll need to cover at least four bases. You can get by with two to three bags.&nbsp;</p> <p>Maybe Father Christmas will pop a new bag and coat under the tree.....</p> <p>As for monochromatic and tonal dressing - I LOVE IT!! Non-neutrals and whites for my own style.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375220 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 19:31:07 +0000 Irina 2375220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I follow HLP and watched that video some time ago.&nbsp;<div>I like her style and her thoughts on fashion and style. Tonal dressing appeals to me, no surprise here. It provides that uncluttered, simple look that I appreciate. But minimal aesthetic feels natural to me.&nbsp;</div><div>I like your brown outfit.&nbsp;</div><div>Funny, for years I avoided amber jewelry, it was used too much back home years ago. With the return of brown color in mainstream retail, I’m more open to it. I dug out my amber necklace and ordered earrings from Etsy. I love your ring!</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375217 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:23:02 +0000 SarahD8 2375217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, Suz I wonder if jewelry with oomph on a small frame is a gamine thing? Iris Apfel and all that...</p> <p>I think you're right that I did feel more "me" when I added that patterned piece. I wonder if it would be worthwhile to look to add a few tonal patterns (vs my usual colorful patterns).</p> <p>Or, it occurs to me that I will often pull a minor color out of a pattern when I'm choosing what to pair with a patterned piece -- creating contrast. What if I paired with the dominant color in the pattern instead? That might yield the energy of the pattern plus the polish of tonal dressing. Excited to try this bag/vest combo with a blue outfit! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375211 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 16:52:54 +0000 Suz 2375211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh! I love this outfit on you! I haven't watched the video yet, but this feels very sophisticated. Tonal dressing has that appeal, but this works especially well, I think, because of the textural interest and attention to detail, and the contrasting colours in the vest/ bag, while taking it out of the 100% tonal range, I guess, and adding pattern, seem to make it more "you" (and a bit more gamine?) without eliminating the sophistication.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also, no wonder you love that ring. It is gorgeous!&nbsp;</p> <p>I am with you on preferring jewellery with a bit more oomph than I did in my younger days. That has increased over the past decade or so, for me, even though dainty jewellery has been in. It holds zero attraction for me personally. (I do like it on others!)&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/tonal-dressing-video-style-shift-musings#post-2375204 Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:27:09 +0000 SarahD8 2375204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Is anyone else here a fan of Hannah Louise Poston? I just loved her <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1loQUq3vUqU">recent video on tonal dressing</a>. (Hint: it will appeal to the analytical types among us.)</p> <p>Pondering my reaction to the video and some other general vibe-y things about getting dressed recently has me thinking that I may be in the midst of a bit of a style shift. I can't quite put my finger on exactly what/where/how yet, but something is brewing...</p> <p>I really admire HLP's style, although I don't think her degree of aesthetic minimalism is quite for me. Still, the deliberateness and cohesion of the looks she shows is extremely appealing.</p> <p>Just as an experiment, I tried putting together a tonal outfit the other day using the principles from the video. Here is the result.&nbsp;</p> <p>Some thoughts:<br />-Although I have a lot of color in my wardrobe, I didn't actually have that many options for head-to-toe tonal dressing. My wardrobe is color-heavy on top, and neutral-heavy on the bottom.<br />-I don't think there is enough texture contrast in the clothing here -- corduroy pants + ribbed sweater tunic. In general I find myself a bit "off" corduroy at the moment, and very attracted to velvet pants -- across multiple silhouettes (skinny, straight, wide-leg).<br />-The top/sweater are already fairly dark/muted, and also closer in color than I'd realized, so rather than a darker/more neutral version of the outfit color for accessories (this will make sense if you watch the video) I went with contrast: cognac footwear, and amber jewelry.<br />-I like the idea of cognac footwear and amber jewelry as a matching complement! It is still somewhat seasonally specific -- autumnal -- in my mind rather than a year-round signature thing, but I suppose that could change.<br />-I LOVE this amber ring -- I bought it on a trip to Stockholm with my mom over 20 years ago, so it's sentimental as well as still really appealing to me aesthetically. I do not love the ditsy little amber earrings that I'm wearing. In general I've been itching for jewelry, especially earrings, with more oomph lately. While still being aware that I need them to be fairly lightweight in order to be comfortable for my work-from-home lifestyle.<br />-Now, what to do about bag/outerwear? My everyday bag (it's looking rather tired lately) for fall-winter is teal. Fortunately it was warm enough for my blue Liberty print vest, which contains some orangey tones that coordinate with the footwear/jewelry. I liked the result, but of course this combo won't be suitable for most weather conditions.<br />-I am not a bag or coat gal. So, these capsules in my wardrobe are sort of minimal and also chaotic. It occurs to me that if you are going to be a coat/bag minimalist and you still want to look reliably cohesive/polished, you need to be EXTREMELY strict and strategic. Like, you have to identify the ONE combination that is going to work with the overwhelming majority of your looks. Probably, that is where I need to start. And then potentially build out from there.</p> <p>Well! That is a lot of musing for one little outfit. (You all are shocked, I know.) But I learned a lot from this exercise!</p> <p>Over to you all. I am interested in your thoughts on the video, tonal dressing in general, any wisdom or commiseration about navigating style shifts, whatever comes to mind...&nbsp; Grateful for any comments! </p>