Blog: Crossroads Style

Sometimes, one of the easiest and chicest ways to put together a fashion forward look is by keeping things monochromatic. Monochromatic is defined as consisting of one single color or hue. When it comes to styling a monochromatic look, the only rule of thumb is to stick to one color block, but there are plenty of ways to make this trend work with your style! Once you’ve gravitated towards a a single color you want to wear, go ahead and play with textures, other shades of the hue or even patterns in your color of choice and you’ll be sure to step out this season in style! Here are four awesome ways you can play with this trend within your own wardrobe and become a monochromatic styling master!

Stick to Neutrals

If neutrals are your thing, then why not wear them all together?! Sticking to classic hues when playing with the monochromatic trend will help make any outfit look instantly elevated and totally timeless.

Pattern Play

Caption: Go ahead and spice up any monochromatic outfit with a fun print or a bold pattern! Adding a print to a monochromatic look is great way to add some contrast to a solid colored pairing!

All the Shades

Caption: Get creative while putting together a monochromatic look by pulling together differing shades of a single hue! Playing with subtly different tones will add dimension to your look.

Layered Textures

Caption: Mixing pieces that are different fabrics and textures will make any monochromatic outfit more visually appealing! Texture is especially great to keep in mind when considering accessorizing your look too!

Billy Porter, the Tony award-winning actor and star of FX series ‘Pose’, has proven himself a fashion maven and has broken through stereotypes, gender and fashion norms with his sense of grandiose fashion, on and off the red carpet. Porter told Vogue earlier this year, “I grew up loving fashion, but there was a limit to the ways in which I could express myself.” Eventually, Porter grew into his own and began feeling comfortable expressing himself. “My goal is to be a walking piece of political art every time I show up. To challenge expectations. What is masculinity? What does that mean? … I had the courage to push the status quo. I believe men on the red carpet would love to play more.”
And play, he does. Porter’s unapologetic fashion statements have transcended fashion norms and gender stereotypes, and it’s about time that men begin to have the courage to express themselves in a true light such as Porter.  Take a look at 5 of my favorite show-stopping looks from Billy Porter this year and be sure to follow him on Instagram for endless inspiration.

NYFW Details

Billy proves the importance of accessorizing at the THE BLONDS fashion show at this year’s NYFW.

Business on the Top, Party on the Bottom

Billy attended the 2019 Academy Awards in a custom made Christian Siriano gown with somewhat of a duel look: a traditional tuxedo on top and a full gown on the bottom.

Vibrantly Bold at the Tony Awards

Billy Porter shut down the 2019 Tony Awards in a vibrant custom Orel Brodt design.

Bold Hues for a Bold Man

Billy shows off his love of color in this David Hart orange suit.

Going for Gold at the Met Gala

And lest we forget this absolute stunner at the 2019 Met Gala.

We love summer! It brings us vacations, lots of backyard BBQs, concert season, beach and pool weekends, and longer days. But, it also comes with some seriously brutal heat. The temperatures are rising and the last thing I want to do is get dressed. Extreme heat already tends to make me feel bloated, frizzy, and sweaty and adding a layer of fabric against my skin never sounds appealing. Luckily, there are certain ways to get dressed to ensure that we are keeping as cool as possible.
Read on below to see 7 styling tips for surviving the summer heat!

Go for Natural Fabrics

Fabrics made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen, are more breathable and lightweight than synthetic fibers, like polyester.

Lighter Colors Absorb Less Heat

Stick to lighter colored clothing pieces as they absorb less heat, actually reflecting heat, so keeping you just a bit cooler in the brutal summer temperatures.

Steer Clear of Denim

Yes, that even means itsy-bitsy, teeny-weenie denim cut-offs. Denim traps the heat against your body. Go for linen or cotton bottoms.

Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room

Plan outfits around looser silhouettes. The less fabric against your body, the better air can circulate and the cooler you will stay.

Sturdy, Flat Shoes Should Be Your Go To

Lightweight, sweat-wicking and flat strappy sandals will keep your feet dry and sweat free. This may be the reason that dad sandals are trending currently!

Top off Your Outfit

Protect your scalp and face from UV rays. A lightweight, straw hat with ventilation is best for the hottest days of the summer.

Keep Accessories Minimal

The less weighing you down – bags, jewelry, and chunky shoes included – the less heat against your skin.

When we think of summer layering, anything lightweight and airy like denim jackets, button-down shirts and kimonos tend to come to mind first, but what about blazers? Structured, tailored and undeniably chic, blazers are one of the more underrated layering pieces of the summer season, but they definitely deserve a place in your warm-weather wardrobe! Stephanie Arant, the fashionista behind the style blog, Unconscious Style, always keeps some stylish blazers on rotation in her wardrobe and trust me, this girl know’s how to make a blazer work with just about any outfit! I’ve taken some style notes from this layering queen and pulled together some of my favorite summer looks she has put together featuring a perfectly styled blazer! Prepare to feel inspired!

Matching Set

An updated, summer version of a classic suit, this little matching set is what summer blazer dreams are made of! Master Steph’s look by pairing a blazer with the same (or at least similar) color shorts and add a brightly colored top to the mix and you’ll be set!

Pair With A Dress

Pairing an oversized, menswear blazer with a feminine and flirty maxi-dress is totally unexpected and creates such an interesting silhouette that is very Olsen Twin-esque!

Keep Things Monochromatic

With this look, Steph proves that you can easily breathe new life into your favorite houndstooth or plaid winter blazer. As long as you wear winter’s blazer over a monochromatic all-white look like Steph did, you’ll be able to keep this structured style on repeat year-round!

Wear Over a Summer Crop

The long, sleek lines of a blazer are the perfect design detail to add some length to your summer look when paired with a cute crop top. No need to match your blazer with your bottoms here; opt for some high-waisted jeans instead for that ultimate cool-girl vibe like Steph!

Another trend that has typically held a bad reputation and negative style connotations has graced the latest runways, street style stars and celebrities alike: flip flops. Some will shudder just hearing the two words in connection with fashion, but the casual, minimal sandals are quickly becoming the “it” shoe of the season as fashion brands are creating updated iterations of the style. You’ll soon be seeing leather, heeled, square toe, strappy – you name it – versions of flip flops. No longer reserved for poolside or beach wear, flip flops are becoming the ideal summer sandal for completing chic, minimal looks and here is how you can style them for the season.

The Minimalist

Complete an effortless look comprised of trousers and an oversized button-down with the simple sandals for an easy summer look.

Midi Slip Dress

A simple slip dress is the perfect blank canvas for experimenting with any accessory. From traditional flip flops to multi-colored or even heeled, the slip midi dress and sandals are ideal pairing partners.

Keep It Playful

Ditch the urge to pair your new flip flop obsession with denim cut offs this season and try styling them with printed trousers or a skirt for a more playful look and will update the casualness of the shoe.

Casual Fabrics and Clean Lines

Linen, cotton, and other lightweight summer fabrics pair well with the simple casual style of flip flops.

Dare to be Daring

Update your flip flop style with a new iteration. Designers are releasing strappy, heels pairs like seen on Brittany, that instantly dress up the trend.