Matchy-matchy is definitely an element of style that goes in and out of fashion. Back in the 80's and 90's, it was trendy to match.....belt to shoes. earrings to necklace. shoes to outfit. In the late 80's, I had a houndstooth skirt and exactly matching shoes. It was awesome then but too matchy-matchy for NOW. And I remember during that same period of time I wore a belt with shoes that did not match and everyone made negative comments about it. So it is a matter of what is in style. Right now, its more trendy that things GO rather than MATCH. If that makes sense.

But if matching comes back in style, as Sal's link suggested, I'll feel right on trend!

And no longer too uptight.

I guess, as with all things in fashion (or in life!) it is a continuum. Establishing patterns means creating harmony, and harmony is pleasing to the eye, and to the soul. But ALL harmony and NO dissonance = boredom. To me, "matchy-matchy" implies a negative: too MUCH harmony, not enough dissonance. But "well coordinated" or simply "matching" implies the kind of harmony we seek.

What's also interesting is that one person's "matchy-matchy" (in the negative sense) might be another's "perfect match." So some of this might depend on personality.

I love matchy matchy but I think it could be over coordinated or trying too hard.

I don't mind matchy, matchy, it's fun to say. Super coordinated is the only other option I can think of.

"Too much of a good thing"

especially kind if you're speaking directly to an offender

Matchy-matchy...
- Style-kill;
- Vulnerable, as in lack of self confidence;
- Minifying, as the coordination overload reduce visual space between items;
- Person disappearing behind items. Items winning over person;
- Strict conservative, narrow mindedness, unadventurous, stuck in time.

All bad.

Krishnidoux, those last two items you listed sum up the effect on two people I know who participate in the uber-matchy style. And the last one actually applies to a man. He's a bit of a control freak, and everything must match, even his golf gear!

It is funny that there isn't a better word for it than matchy-matchy, now that you've brought it up, Angie!
It's one of those things that comes in and out of style, and right now it definitely isn't. That said, I have an older co-worker who has the most stunning jewelry sets, in all kinds of different expensive stones, and she always wears them as a set. I have to admit, it really works; you can't stop staring at canary yellow or pink diamonds when they are at someone's ears, neck, and wrist!

I'm glad you brought this up! The matchy-matchy label is often used on another fashion blog I read sometimes to criticize an outfit, but I'm not always clear on exactly what it means and why it's bad.

Today, for example, I'm wearing all blue stuff: blue jeans, blue and white striped woven shirt, blue cardigan with an argyle pattern, blue and grey striped socks (not that they are particularly visible), and red flats. Originally I planned to go out shopping, so would have carried my giant white tote bag with red trim and worn a red pashmina and a short beige trench coat. Would all this red and blue stuff have been too matchy-matchy?

Another example is an outfit I wore to a wedding a few years ago, for which we were instructed to "dress fabulous". The bride has a very flamboyant style and wore hot pink platform heels with her dress, just to put things in context! My dress had a vivid aqua blue and yellow geometric print on a white background, and I wore a ruffly white cardigan (as it was freezing), bright yellow patent heels, and carried an aqua pleather croc print clutch bag. I also had an aqua feathery fascinator in my hair and aqua pashmina for later in the evening. Was that too much blue, matching the blue and yellow dress? I didn't really want to add another color given the bright print.

Both of these seem better than my default of wearing black with everything, although I suppose they aren't particularly imaginative. Certainly better than the dyed-to-match purple lace shoes I wore with my purple lace dress to junior prom...

Khrisnidoux, I understand the point you are making but I find it a bit offensive to label a style choice with negative personality traits. Vulnerable, lacking self confidence, narrow minded are all pretty harsh to describe a preference for one way of dressing over another, don't you think? I purposefully matched my shoes to a tank this week. I am respectfully none of those adjectives! I do get that the head to toe theme thing is outdated now. But that is an objective observation of where style is or isn't at the time, not a criticism of the person.
And to Mander's point, when you do have a print of multiple colors, at what point does not matching become almost schizophrenic looking? I get that anything can be 'overdone' but I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder what is acceptably matchy or not.

Mo, you make a good point, and it's worth remembering that one person's matchy-matchy (meaning in an over the top way) is simply another person's effort at coordinating an outfit in a pleasing way.

I tend toward matchy myself -- I looked at my BCBG dress outfit from yesterday and tried to imagine mixing some other color against that purple and taupe print and it just didn't feel right -- for me. There are some in the fashion blogosphere who would be bored with my addition of the purplish scarf and watchband and would have mixed it up with some other color. To them, I might seem matchy-matchy and I'm ok with that.

We all have different thresholds for what is "too much" matching. It's hard to define but we each know it when we see it. I think some people pull off very matchy looks beautifully and without displaying a lack of power or confidence, but the look would fall totally flat on me.

Ah, I'm rambling, but this is an interesting discussion.

From what I understand, matchy-matchy is different than bookending....which to me means picking up a color somewhere else in the outfit to provide continuity. Wearing a scarf that builds on a color in a print dress or wearing boots that play off the colors in your hair are really beautiful ways to build continuity into an outfit. Its very pleasing to the eye.

I like Vildy's "over-coordinated" and Rae's "redundantly-coloured" terms, both hitting it perfectly. I have been a matchy-matchy culprit from time to time and was awakened to it at a holiday party when a partygoer looked at me and said the term. I looked at myself, feeling pretty good, and then looked again, realizing I had probably overdone the animal prints with matching pumps and belt. I didn't think it was overly-done, but it made me think twice about matching too many items of the same pattern.

Mo, I am sorry, I didn't mean to offend anyone. But I agree rereading my post it is quite harsh! I'll be more careful from now on. Thank you for reminding me.

Khrishnidoux, no worries! We can all get carried away sometimes with our heartfelt feelings on a topic. I know you are in no way mean spirited

Mo, I like some matchy matchy myself and sometimes bristle when I hear or read that somewhere. It sounds judgemental. That's why I suggested its perjorative undertones.

I am all for monotones in dressing! As a petite, I am a huge fan of column of color dressing. Is this matchy matchy? Maybe. I am undisciplined about accessory matching though; I have to remember how Aida pointed out my shoes and belt should match!

OK here are some more suggestions (way to wordy, LOL)

OCD dressing (negative connotation)
Complementary sensibility (positive connotation)

Actually, thinking about what Vicki said, I wonder if it is more to do with matching patterns. So perhaps a leopard-print bag, shoes, and belt all in the same outfit would be too much, but any one of those items with brown, black, or cream (depending on the specific print) plus an accent color would be coordinated.

I am naturally very matchy-matchy and am quite frankly shocked to see so much (indeed, ANY!) personally negative judgment being tossed around to describe people who like to dress in that way! It's not in style right now so I try to curb my tendencies to repeat colors and patterns in my outfits, but you'd better believe when it comes back (and it will -- it always does) I will be matching it up with all the rest of you and loving it!!

As for the term itself, right now it's faintly pejorative because the concept of matching is not in style. When matching comes back in style, I predict the term will become much more positive!