Greys mix beautifully with plums, mustards, teals and wines. They balance black and soften whites, and offer a beautiful and simple base for luxe accessories. Here’s how to rock the grey look and look more Gigi Hadid than grandma.
Image: Zara.com
If you’re new to grey, starting with a basic tee is a great way to work it into your wardrobe without taking the plunge to full grey majesty. Pair it with casual jeans, a comfy cardigan and slinky shoes and you’re ready for coffee, a quick trip to the campus library or Sunday brunch. Or pair it with a blush pink bottom like Jade Seah to emanate that ‘Girl Next Door’ vibe.
Cotton T-shirt, $98, Net-a-porter.com
Image: Instagram / Jade Seah
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
Using a grey accessory, such as a cardigan or a scarf, to counterbalance a louder, bolder colour, such as coral pink, or cerulean blue, helps to lower the overall volume of your outfit without dulling you down or washing you out. Park So Ra, the face of K-fashion label Stylenanda, accents her all-black outfit with a knitted grey cardigan.
Cashmere cardigan, $348, Net-a-porter.com
Image: Instagram / Stylenanda
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
Another way to dip your toes into wearing is to literally, dip your toes (and your fingers) in. Greyscale nails have been seen on the catwalks – try mixing black and pewter for a tough, too-cool vibe that doesn’t scream “trying too hard”. If it’s Kylie, it’s cool. So, take note because we will all be rocking grey stiletto nails here on out.
Nail laquer in Nein! Nein! Nein! Ok Fine!, $8, opi.com.sg
Image: Instagram / Kylie Jenner
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
Add some variation to your collection of jeans to include a shade (or fifty) of grey! Grey pairs as well as, or better than, most shades of blue, and is an unusual and understated change to your typical jeans-and-tee get up. Out with the overrated black and white pairing, pair your usual white top with dark grey jeans like Narelle.
High-rise skinny jeans, $269, Net-a-porter.com
Image: Instagram / Narelle Kheng
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
The athleisure trend is still going strong and is destined to become a classic. Sweatpants are now modern and sleek, featuring space-age fabrics and cool colour combinations. Best of all, they are as comfortable as yoga pants, and twice as forgiving. Add that extra ‘oomph’ to your coordinate with chunky combat boots like Sandra.
Kenzo Cotton-terry track pants, $109, Net-a-porter.com
Image: Instagram / Sandrarileytang
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
That’s right – not a little black dress, but a little grey dress is quickly becoming every woman’s cocktail dress of choice. It’s flattering, chic and will definitely help you stand out in a sea of boring black. Look for it popping up in galas, art launches, weddings and in boardrooms around the world. With a bodycon grey dress like Mong Chin’s, your little grey dress is appropriate for basically any occasion.
Ribbed merino wool midi dress, $225, Net-a-porter.com
Image: mongabong.com
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
Grey adds an air of femininity to suits, softening them and making them a classy and sharp without being over-the-top. Paired with a soft heel and a rose coloured blouse, and you’ll be the perfect mixture of warm but cool. Or like Chriselle, pair it with a lace-trimmed satin blouse to pull the whole look together.
Wool-twill blazer, $386, Net-a-porter.com
Image: Instagram / Chriselle Lim
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
If grey still seems a little boring to you, jazz it up with a dash of shiny metal. It’s an easy way to glitz up an evening outfit – think gunmetal grey jumpsuits or sleek shiny silver dresses – while still looking cool and collected. Or throw on a pastel biker jacket for a feminine edge, just like Valerie Wang.
Metallic knitted maxi dress, $452, Net-a-porter.com
Image: Instagram / valerie_wang
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
Once you’re ready to take the plunge, hit the streets in full on grey. You can’t go wrong – grey hides all your flaws, without being as stark or intimidating as black. The trick to wearing all grey is to pick a few different shades, so you look put-together without being too matchy-matchy. Pro tip – play with different hues and textures to add dimension to your outift, as seen on Chriselle.
Cropped sweatshirt, $29.90, Zara.com
Image: Instagram / Chriselle Lim
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
Layering one grey over another creates an unsuspected level of depth that can only really come from grey. Because it can be supplemented with various other hues, notably mossy greens and subtle indigos, layering different tones of greys on top of and alongside each other can offer surprising dimension to an otherwise monochromatic outfit. Layer an outerwear over a tight-fitting bodycon dress like Chriselle for a defined silhouette.
Linen trousers with belt, $69.90, Zara.com
Image: Instagram / Chriselle Lim
READ MORE: No grey area about this hair trend: Charcoal is THE colour to try now and 5 shades of grey for your wardrobe.
This story was originally published in Ezbuy.sg, April 1, 2017.