Pl define matchy-matchy.

Joyce B

What is matchy-matchy to you? I see it mentioned but to me it is a gray zone and depends on the person's taste and style. Just the term implies that there is something wrong, but what is wrong with matching and why is it wrong?

12 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from chadya

Alassë

Veteran

Matching shoes & belts, toppers & shoes, bags & shoes? I think. And don't listen to me, because matchy-matchy makes my minimal/cohesive side very happy.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

A few years ago, when 'pop of color' (ugh - such an overused phrase) was the thing, matchy-matchy was seen as more old fashioned and not 'with it'. I think the pendulum has swung back a bit towards the middle and both can be cool. The difference is doing matching with purpose, not as a default or rule, like brown shoes MUST have a brown belt or bag. That's my take, anyway. I purposefully match, or repeat a style element, even if it's not color. Circles on a belt with hoop earrings, etc. I find it cohesive and pleasing to my eye.

12 years ago

Veteran

In my head matchy matchy doesn't have negative connotations or imply something's wrong! Perhaps because I'm a fan of that style of dressing?

I usually call my outfits matchy matchy when I repeat the same colour in multiple spots. Which is most of the time! If I were to repeat patterns or other elements, as Mo describes, I'd call it matchy matchy too. I really think it's just a variation on bookending, so perhaps you can use that term as an alternative.

12 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Matching things in exactly the same color or pattern. Different shades of the same color do not count as matchy-matchy in my head. The classic twin set is the obvious example.

To me, there is a difference between matching and matchy-matchy. Matching would be like taking one color from a pattern and wearing a belt or bag in that color, or Mo's example of wearing hoop earrings with a belt with circle motifs. Matchy-matchy would be like carrying a handbag in the same pattern as your dress, or something like that. It's exact. So, I often match but I almost never do matchy-matchy looks. I personally prefer more juxtaposition in my outfits.

12 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I don't think there's anything wrong with matchy-matchy. I usually use the term to imply extreme matchiness, sort of like Diana explains. Goldenpig does lots of matchy-matchy outfits and they look great. Personally I like matching - I find the cohesiveness very pleasing to my eye.

I have a harder time with outfits that "go" together but don't match. I can appreciate them on others, but I have a harder time putting those sorts of outfits together.

12 years ago

Liz

Veteran

I think matchy-matchy may have more of a negative connotation to those of us old enough to remember when an outfit with red shoes, red belt, red earrings, and red necklace was very much the "done" thing. And they all needed to be the same shade of red. (Or, you know, matching your green scrunchy to your green shirt and your green socks.) Fashion trends moved away from those looks and more toward looks that coordinated while not matching exactly.

12 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Oh man, matching your scrunched socks to your top, and your scrunchie or your banana clip. Memories...

I don't tend to match-match that much on purpose, but I don't like a lot of clashing stuff together. Just a personal preference. There are members here that do a lot more contrasting looks that I would never wear myself, but it works for them.

12 years ago

Anonymous

I don't mind the term either. I like matchy- matchy and matching and non-match and pops of colour. It's all good in my book.

12 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Thank you very much for your replies, ladies. It's good to hear that the pendulum is swinging towards the middle and now matchy-matchy is not a bad thing.
Mo, your description of how you match your earings to your belt is very cool, I had not thought of that before.
Alassë, matching makes my life a little easier, too.
I think I also get matchy to facilitate putting together more cohesive outfits as well. It's usually not exact, like what Diana said.
I went to LT recently and there were two girls talking about someone saying that she was "soo" matchy matchy, in a very negative way.
I am glad that to most people the term is not a negative one, unless the matching is extreme.
Thanks again for replying to my post.

12 years ago

annaj

Veteran

I think Liz nailed it! These days I think we aim for a coordinated look, where everything "goes" but doesn't necessarily "match". Like others have said, match-matchy, in a negative sense, is having everything the exact same colour and lots of repeats in an outfit.

12 years ago

chadya

Veteran

I think it refers to always matching shoes and bag. Only wearing all gold or all silver. Now more relaxed

12 years ago

Category