Men’s AW13 Fashion Trend: Tonal Dressing

Set The Tone

Earlier this year we reported that tonal outfitting was going to be a huge trend for AW13 after the technique was used in countless collections at London’s most essential menswear event, London Collections: MEN. And, just as predicted, the effortlessly stylish and entirely accessible look seems to have taken off in a big way on the high street, too. So, now that the autumn/winter season is truly in full swing, we decided it would be the perfect time to revisit the tonal trend and go into more detail about how the style should be worn. So from ‘seeing red’ to earth tones, read on to find out how you can feel confident about adapting the look from runway to wardrobe this winter and beyond…

The Blues

When it comes to tonal dressing, blue is without a doubt one of the easiest colours to combine. Most of us have already got a wardrobe full of sky blue, cobalt and navy ? so you should be able to create a variety of stylish ensembles using your existing pieces. Clashing textures as well as tones will ensure your outfit is both dynamic and interesting. For example, go off-duty by pairing classic stonewash Levi’s with a navy cable knit jumper and bleached denim shirt for a contemporary take on double denim that is perfect for winter weekends:

• Asos Denim Shirt In Long Sleeve With Blasting
• Religion Jumper In Waffle Knit
• Vintage Renewal Levis Slim Leg Jeans

Alternatively, dress the look up with a blue velvet blazer, navy trousers and a crisp pale blue shirt; a sharp and considered tonal outfit for any party season event:

• Topman Light Blue Long Sleeve Smart Shirt
• River Island Blazer In Blue Velvet
• Topman Navy Jacquard Skinny Suit Trousers

Lookbook Inspiration

Seeing Red

From scarlet to salmon, you can never go wrong with shades of red. However, to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb in the dreaded tomato hue, it’s best to gravitate towards dark and light tones. Nothing says festive like red, so it’s the perfect hue for the office Christmas bash. Below we’ve chosen a rich corduroy blazer to complement a subtle rose shirt. Finish off the stand out ensemble with burgundy trousers, red brogues and a large glass of Merlot:

• Polo Ralph Lauren Plain Oxford Slim Fit Shirt
• Burberry London Slim-fit Corduroy Blazer
• He By Mango Slim-fit Dyed Cotton Chinos
• Okeeffe Algy Hand-polished Leather Wingtip Brogues

For the morning after? Nothing disguises a hangover like an impeccable tonal outfit. For a casual but fun take on the trend, start with a pair of bright Nike runners to lighten your mood, then combine with brown chinos and a bleached burgundy t-shirt. Avoid too many bright elements, though, as you don’t want to intensify any headaches:

• New Look T-shirt In Burn Out Burgundy Wash
• Asos Slim Chino
• Reiss Townsend Flannel Check Trousers Grey

Lookbook Inspiration

Finishing Touches

Emphasise the way you wear the trend by colour-coordinating accessories with your outfit to bring the whole look together. You can afford to be more daring here, so have fun and opt for brighter shades when picking out your finishing touches. For instance, complement an earthy ensemble with a racing green pocket square, or add a pair of neon yellow socks to a creamy tonal outfit. A cobalt tie polishes off a navy suit and sky blue shirt combination perfectly whilst a pair of white leather driving gloves offers a nice contrast against a greyscale look this winter.

Final Word

This trend can be risky and sporting head-to-toe tonal pieces requires careful consideration. Get it right and you’ll be a sartorial king, choose the wrong hue of blue and you’ll have onlookers wondering whether you’ve put the outfit together on purpose. The trick is to juxtapose shades and textures to provide that essential contrast between pieces – do this and you’ll be turning heads for all the right reasons. So, whether you choose to go down a classic all-over navy look, or bring things right up to date by reaching for an emerald green shade; set the tone this winter and watch others follow as you wear your tonal ensemble with confidence and panache. Now you know how to wear the trend, it’s your turn to get experimental with even more colours. The spectrum is your oyster: how about a zesty head-to-toe look in shades of burnt orange with flashes of citrus? Or perhaps a darker take that incorporates midnight and noir shades. Maybe you’ll go green with envy in everything from mint to sage. Let us know your personal styling ideas in the comments section below…