Monday 4 February 2013

an open letter to Monochrome

 L-R: Narciso Rodriguez, Marc Jacobs, Celine, Jil Sander

Dear Monochrome,

I almost feel like this should be two letters; because really, your two components haven't met on me for at least 15 years. Yet here we are again, after all this time.

I first discovered you in my youth. You took many forms, from stripey or polka dot leggings (the un-coordinated years), or the Adidas tracksuit bottoms inherited from my sister (the Tom-Boy years). You were always there. Through the knee scrapes and homework and first kisses (I believe the aforementioned Adidas were present on this particular occasion) you kept me clothed, so what changed?

Maybe me. I went from monochromatic bliss and spice girl shorts to Levi's, logo t-shirts and Etnies (the Skater Girl Years), to today where neutral colours, fur and sequins reign supreme.  And I'm just not sure you fit in with that:
I can do all white, or all black, but looking like a checkerboard is not high on my list of priorities. And if Jil Sander can't change my mind, I'm not sure what can.

In the words of Anne-Marie Curtis (Elle UK, Feb 2012):

"I am not the biggest fan of a black-and-white combo; it's very easy for monochrome to very quickly look incurably naff."

Or in the slightly less delicately phrased words of the gay kid from School of Rock:

"You're tacky and I hate you"

So, where does this leave us? To be honest, monochrome, we're still on a break. Despite offering some comfort in my youth, you're a bandwagon I just don't want to jump on right now. I don't easily succumb to peer pressure (read: trends), but maybe I'll warm to you. Like that time I bought a pair of platform clogs from Topshop... a year after they went into the sale.

Maybe there's hope for us yet.

Yours,
 Polly

Note: The only fully monochromatic look I'll be caught in is a white tee with black skinnies or a leather skirt/leggings. But even then I reckon there'd be a pop of non black/white somewhere.

What do you guys think of Monochrome?

Find me:

11 comments:

Julie Cottrell said...

This is hilarious and awesome. I feel the same. Part of me is dying over it- part of me is hesitant. Love the blog! Thanks for stopping by mine!

Http://streetlily.blogspot.com

Laura said...

The thing about monochrome is that it has to be done well. I love the look of a beautifully tailored or styled white shirt and black skinnies, or a nicely cut stripey black and white top. But it's all about the cut or the quality for me I think. The recent black and white striped Zara shirt is lovely.

I've recently posted a 25 Facts About Me and an OOTD on Black & Gold, hope you like them!

Laura xx Black & Gold

Laura said...

The thing about monochrome is it needs to be done well. Its all about the cut or the quality for me.

I've recently posted a 25 Facts About Me and an OOTD on Black & Gold, hope you like them!

Laura xx Black & Gold

cowbiscuits said...

i'm not big on it either, its kinda just BLAAAH and boring! I love colour and fun! xx

Sophie Clare said...

Ahha this is so interesting to read because I seem to have the had the opposite problem in the past.. where many of my clothes are monocrome!! I've always just seen it as more classic but in the last few months I have "seen the light" and can see where Anne-Marie Curtis is coming from. 2013 is going to be a year of colour for me :) Enjoyed reading this post
Sophie
xx
www.mysectionofthenet.blogspot.co.uk

Hola Bambi said...

I absolutely adore the monochrome trend! Great post x

Helen at THELOVECATSINC said...

haha, what a lovely letter. i think those tracksuit bottoms also graced (perhaps not the most accurate word) my legs as a teen too. i'd go with stripes, they're my favourite introduction to monochrome!

from helen at thelovecatsinc // youtube

ps. enter my new giveaway to win the UD naked basics palette, real techniques brushes and essie polishes! click here.

Crazy for fashion said...

I like monocrome, but I always end up wearing lots of colours, I think they suit me better. Great blog, I am following you on GFC, hope you´ll do the same! let me know if you also wanna follow on facebook and bloglovin. Have a nice day! <3<3

http://lovesushiandfashion.blogspot.com.es/

TipPrincess said...

You've written the exact letter I've been trying to write in my head since I first heard of this trend re-emerging. I look like a mime in stripes, a jester in checks, my gran in houndstooth.... it just never works for me. Such a bitter shame..... :D

JustJaslin said...

Hahaha you're so funny dear! Your post made me smile. I also don't think I could go completely monochrome, there'll be at least a bit of colors on the accessories!

Kisses from Singapore
♡ Jaslin from http://justjaslin.blogspot.sg/

Unknown said...

I like the monochrome look - tend to be a fan of keeping things dark anyway, I can just be a bit of a nightmare with white!

Take a look at my latest outfit post, which is a take on monochrome:

LurchHoundLoves.com

Charlie

xx