NYFW-Inspired Monochromatic Separates Are Carrying Me Into Spring

New York Fashion Week worked as intended on me, driving home the immediacy and relatability of my favorite brands. I'm now viewing my closet through a Fforme, Tibi, Michael Kors, and Public School lens. The charcoal monochromatic pairings at Michael Kors and the textured monochromatic looks at Fforme left an indelible mark—leading me to seek out the perfect marriage of utility, ease, and interest in my own closet.

Life feels erratic at the moment; between balancing work, calling my reps, and checking in with family and friends, I want my outfits to center ease while maintaining my sense of style and self. Between Fashion Week and a pretty uncompromising closet cleanout, I’ve become hyperaware of which clothes dress me in real life versus in my aspirational one. (My closet cleanout revealed that I might be leaning too far into the latter.)

Enter: monochromatic co-ord dressing to ground my daily outfits in practicality. I bought a coordinating charcoal wool top-and-trouser set from Theory in 2023, and I love that, even three years later, it still feels like the epitome of my style—chic and comfortable—while pushing me to create new combinations with what I already have on hand.

NYFW was another source of inspiration. Worthy monochromatic suitors were shown at Dorothee Schumacher, Ulla Johnson, Simkhai, TWP, Ashlynn, and Theory—signifying not only a good return on my investment, in my humble opinion, but a signifier that ease is omnipresent in New York interpretations of dressing.

Add a Skirt With Texture

A co-ord top anchors the look in utility, while a fringe skirt brings contrast and movement. A leather pencil skirt would add some edge to the look if I wanted to switch it up, and I'm impatiently waiting to carry over the same formula to springtime dressing with a silk skirt.

Throw In a Complementary Piece in the Same Color

Buying separates to match the set you already own is smart dressing. Think sweaters, scarves, and interchangeable skirts—or if you liked the monochrome dressing at Public School’s FW2026 show or TWP’s show, you can wear them all at once. Add in a long corded necklace or a statement earring to add even more interest.

Play With Volume and Accessories

I love playing with volume, and the perfect outfit formula if you want to lean casual is a button-up with some barrel-leg jeans and a statement bag. The inverse also works incredibly well —a voluminous or asymmetrical top paired with the trousers from your set is a dutiful nod to Caitlyn Burke's styling of Kallmeyer this season.

Add In Interesting Layers

Add a white button-up and a jacket in a contrasting texture—like ponyhair, astrakhan, wool, or a mohair knit—to the bottoms of your co-ord set. Once temperatures thaw, you can swap in a satin or silk jacket and a sheer turtleneck. All of these combinations pair well together and transition easily from day to night.