My experiment in tonal dressing - fawns and tans

Sal

Here is my attempt at tonal dressing. It didn’t feel like me -all cream and sand and fawn. Does it count as tonal or is the cream a different colour? To me this is four shades of very light brown.

I don’t have a lot of other options for tonal style but will see if I can have a second attempt.

Thoughts?

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3 weeks ago

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Brooklyn

Veteran

I would definitely count it as tonal. I love it! Totally fab. You should repeat.

3 weeks ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I would definitely consider it a tonal outfit and you look fab!

So why did it not feel right to you? That is the important question. Is it a matter of not having worn an outfit like this before, not liking individual pieces, or some other factor, i.e does it feel as if it is missing the "glam" factor -- which might have to do with the specific colour (flattering as it is to you) OR might have to do with an inadequate mix of textures, etc.

3 weeks ago

LJP

Veteran

Love it . Very chic and with that casual beachy look you do so well .

3 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

Suz - I have four textures here (linen knit tee, cotton pants, suede slides and leather bag) so it's not that. I don't love these pants - I like them though. But I am used to wearing two or three colours - often two neutrals and a colour - my tendency here would be to wear a bright top or a patterned top....Or to wear white sneakers and a white top.

Thanks Brooklyn and Lisa - pleased you both like it.

I will try this linen tee with the satin skirt and see how this one goes, maybe with the darker brown bag. This would still have four shades of lighter brown.....

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3 weeks ago

DonnaF

Veteran

This is a great tonal outfit. Hard to see texture in photos. Maybe you'd like a bit of shine in a necklace or bracelet?

3 weeks ago

slim cat

Veteran

This is perfect - love it on you! Fresh and quietly sophisticated!

3 weeks ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, it sounds as if you and I have similar default strategies. This looks really great on you -- but doesn't feel (to you) like you!

Maybe we default to whites, patterns, and/or brights because of our personal colouring. If you are bright spring, then an entirely soft neutral outfit will just feel blah to you, however good it may look on screen (or to the world). And if I am some kind of cool bright, then it makes sense that I also seek that light/ bright aspect to my outfits.

I can't wait to see you try the all green, or some other colour that is really fantastic on you.

3 weeks ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Definitely tonal, and it looks great on you.

3 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Looks amazing! But it’s interesting that it feels off-beam.

3 weeks ago

Bijou

Veteran

I agree with Jenni - if it does not feel like you then no need to do tonal. I like beige items when contrasted with other colours and neutrals, but total beige is not for me either.

3 weeks ago

Star

Veteran

Well done! I like it a lot.

3 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks - I think it's fun to explore and try. I wore this to see "Wicked" at the local cinema so it was a low stakes night. I have some lovely social events coming up where I want to feel at my best so it's good to trial for easy events.

I agree that for me a brighter (or clearer) colour would probably feel more natural. But I am going to try again. I already do blacks and blues, but could try white (in shorts).

3 weeks ago

Lisa

Veteran

I love all the soft neutrals here. Very chic.

2 weeks ago

RobinF

Veteran

I love it! Maybe you need to mix a crisp white with it? I think that would still be tonal.

2 weeks ago

JAileen

Veteran

You look just great! It looks like a take off of Coastal Grandma.

2 weeks ago

Helena

Veteran

This is gorgeous on you Sal! It *is* a departure for you though ... You tend to have a little more punch in your outfits which is also gorgeous. I wonder if it's just hesitation at doing something a little different? Or perhaps it's just not you despite how great it looks. Will follow your experimentation and reflection with interest!

2 weeks ago

Sisi

Veteran

For what it's worth, I think you look fab! But if this does not feel "you" try with white top and white shoes. I would consider it tonal as well. White and cream look tonal to me.

2 weeks ago

cat2

Veteran

I’m think if you have a minimalist fashion gear, you would have discovered it by now. I don’t, and find Coastal Grandmother, 90s minimalism and Marin Therapist equally grim.

2 weeks ago

Dee

Veteran

Well I like it Sal, and its definitely tonal in my books. I too am used to wearing some contrast in my outfits, but I think its always fun to change it up a bit. And as Sisi suggested you can always add an adjacent colour like white into the mix too, then perhaps it will feel more like what you're used to. Heck, there are no strict rules for tonal dressing, I’m for whatever helps to create a harmonious and satisfying outfit.

2 weeks ago

Bonnie

Veteran

This works! But if you don't feel fab, try again.

2 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm with everyone else! Sal, this totally passes for tonal. Beachy and '90s! You wear it well.

If it feels off, pass. Good job trying, though! If we don't try, we will never know

2 weeks ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Tonal dressing is just one concept in the bag of tricks that is styling. Fun to experiment, but no need to commit unless it really speaks to you.

I think you met the brief for tonal dressing, and the colour your chose is reflected in some of the lighter highlights in your hair.

2 weeks ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Looks like tonal dressing to me and looks great to me, but totally understand why you might not be into it. I am not much of a tonal dresser either honestly.

2 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks. You never know with experimentation - some looks stick and others don't. I remember trying sneakers with a midi skirt - previously I had always worn a wedge or a block heel in summer with that length - but I adjusted. I never really succeeded with tunic tops- I tried a few iterations but they were a challenge for me.

As I have mentioned before, these pants are not my favourite, so I think trying it with a different bottom half will be worth a go. And maybe knowing how to tweak it to make it work for me. I love a long tonal black look but I like a lighter handbag and shoe option, potentially with the fawn/beige for me a contrasting shoe and bag might feel more like me.

2 weeks ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So interesting, Sally! And you're so right about experimentation. You win some, you lose some!

I'm with you on the tunics, Sister. I could never, ever, ever make them work, try as I might. The closest I ever came was a few asymmetrical tops that were tunic length on one side only.

2 weeks ago

Sal

Veteran

We will never forget the skirted leggings experiment Suz.....

I agree - clothing is fun and I am lucky to have a safe space to try something new. I rate this one as a B, it worked, I would wear it again, but I don't feel as though I have nailed the assignment yet. Whereas your red did nail it!

2 weeks ago

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