Rules to Wearing the Matchy-Matchy Look

Matching separates have been called a lot bad things over the years, from old-fashioned to tacky and costumey, but in the past year they’ve transitioned to one of the hottest runway looks.

Featured in many Fall 2014 and resort 2015 collections, including Gucci and Ralph Lauren, matching separates are here to stay. Take a look at the most important matchy-matchy style rules, that can help you navigate this trend while keeping it stylish and chic.

1. Stick to Just Two Separates

Once you accept that matching separates can work as part of any type of look, from elegant to casual, it’s important to rein it in. Adding a third matching item to your two separates is definitely taking it too far, and pushing it in costumey territory. You have to be particularly careful about how you style your look if the two separates make up your entire look (not counting accessories).

Matchy Matchy Runway Trend

2. Use Neutrals to Create Balance

If wearing a head to toe color or print feels like too much, one of the most useful matchy-matchy style rules is to use a simple neutral to balance out your look. Whether you’re going to match a solid color or a print, make sure that your neutrals don’t include too much texture. A knit could easily make the whole look too busy.

Two Piece Matchy Outfit
photo: Lara D.

3. Don’t Go Too Far with Accessories

A clear way to make your look over the top is to overpower it with flashy accessories. When you’re wearing matching separates look for a bag and shoes that stand out without competing too much for attention with your outfit. The same principle goes for jewelry, layered chunky necklaces might end up proving too much for a matchy-matchy look, but a cocktail ring and smaller earrings could definitely work.

See also: Unflattering Clothes That Look Good Only on Supermodels

Matchy Matchy Fashion Versace

4. Avoid Matching Your Polish Color to Your Outfit

One of the most important matchy-matchy style rules is to stick to just your separates. Once you start matching things like shoes or nail polish to your outfit, you’re definitely stepping outside of the trend and risk looking like you’re wearing a costume.

Matchy Matchy Lips And Nails

5. If You Match Makeup and Nails, Forget the Matchy-Matchy Outfit

One of the coolest beauty looks for Fall 2014 is pairing silver eyeshadow with gunmetal nails. Seen on the runway during the Vera Wang show, this detail is already pretty matchy-matchy, so it might not be the best fit with matching separates, whether you’re headed to the office or a party. Doubling up on the matching may work on the runway, but it’s too risky for the street.

Matchy Matchy Black And White Stripes

6. Choose Prints Carefully

The matchy-matchy style rules are especially important when you’re getting printed separates. Even if you style it perfectly, remember to pick a print that works for you. Smaller prints can help achieve a slimming effect, while larger and bulkier prints might be a bad idea if they draw attention to your waist or hips in a less than flattering way. Don’t forget what works for your body type when you try this trend.

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7. Don’t Be Afraid to Rock a Bold Lip

A bold red lip helps most matchy-matchy looks pop, but if you’re going for something a bit more subtle, you can experiment with different shades that are among the hottest Fall 2014 makeup color trends. Plum lips can also work wonders for fall, while a high-shine bronze is equally trendy, but less office appropriate.

8. Go Subtle with Animal Prints

If you’re thinking of rocking the trend with an animal print, you’ll have to be extra careful when it comes to the rest of the matchy-matchy style rules. A natural animal print can definitely prove too much, so try a version in softer neutrals or bolder shades that skew more abstract.

Matchy Matchy Separates Look
photo: Lisa Olsson

9. Bring Outerwear into the Mix

As seen on the runway during the Burberry Fall 2014 show, matching coats and scarves are another matchy-matchy option. If the separates feel too bold, then try the trend with outerwear, or simply with a matching scarf.

Matchy Matchy Kim And Kanye

10. Avoid a Matchy-Matchy Effect with Your Date

While Kim and Kanye can usually pull it off, one of the most obvious matchy-matchy style rules is to never try to cram both matching separates and pieces that match your partner in the same look. Unless it’s Halloween, it’s too over the top.

Spring 2015 Trends

After the New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week introduced cool new trends for Spring/Summer 2015, London is holding its own with a variety of interesting ideas will make it big next year.

Check out the most important Spring 2015 trends from London Fashion Week, from the coolest runway looks to hair and makeup. Find out what British designers brought to the table when it comes to next year’s trends.

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1. High Shine

Metallics didn’t have a particularly strong presence on the runways in New York, but at London Fashion Week they made a bigger splash. Tom Ford and Mary Katrantzou led the pack of designers who opted for metallic shine in different ways.

High Shine Fabrics Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

Ford opted for silver and gold, for both mini dresses and cocktail dresses, while Katrantzou mixed the metallic look with snake details.

2. Florals

Floral Prints Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

One of the biggest Spring 2015 trends from London Fashion Week, florals may not be totally original, but plenty of designer have found a new way to interpret them, going for a 1970s retro vibe. From florals in bold combinations at House of Holland to floral embroidery at Marchesa, the London runway was in bloom. Other designers who used bold florals include Simone Rocha, Jonathan Saunders and Matthew Williamson.

3. Whimsy

Whimsical Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

If you’re not crazy about sleek metallics or big flower prints, you might get into the more whimsical designs from London Fashion Week. Sibling went all out with huge bows on the models’ heads, while playing with volumes, textures and clashing colors. Richard Nicoll and Bora Aksu also toyed with fantastical elements in their designs, filling the runway with whimsy.

4. Stripes

Stripes Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

Either vertical or horizontal, stripes are definitely one of the major Spring 2015 trends from London Fashion Week. Preen experimented with stripes in primary colors over black, and Jonathan Saunders also went for blue on black. Giles and Topshop Unique also mixes plenty of colors in their stripes, from pants to jackets.

5. Sports Luxe

Luxe Sportswear Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

Transitioning from New York to London, the sporty inspiration for high fashion is turning out to be one of the major trends for Spring/Summer 2015. Literal inspirations include Amanda Wakeley’s judo belts and Pringle of Scotland’s little white dresses with a strong tennis vibe. Other designers, like Jean-Pierre Braganza opted for sports jackets with bold prints.

6. Bold Colors

Bold Colors Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

While some of the floral designs hinted at pastels, strong color is definitely among the best Spring 2015 trends from London Fashion Week. Nudes also found their place, but saturated primary colors made a bold statement during the runway shows from Roksanda Ilincic and Burberry Prorsum.

7. Flats

Flat Sandals Spring 2015 Trends London Fashion Week

You don’t have to give up your pumps anytime soon, but for Spring 2015, you can feel both stylish and comfortable with a wide variety of flats. Simone Rocha went for the matchy-matchy look with sandals that perfectly matched the outfits. Peter Pilotto, Temperley London and Jonathan Saunders also featured plenty of cute flats on the runway, pairing them with both dresses and calf-length pants.

8. All White

All White Spring 2015 Trend London Fashion Week

After taking over the NYFW, white also found a top spot among the Spring 2015 trends from London Fashion Week. Many designers opted for the layered look first seen at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, including Pringle of Scotland and Amanda Wakeley, while Erdem and Bora Aksu paired intricate white pieces with gray or sheer creations.


9. Center-Parted Hair

Center Parted Hair Spring 2015 Trends London Fashion Week

If there’s one major hair trend from London Fashion Week, it’s definitely the center part. It was the base of many cool looks, including braids or slicked back tresses. Regardless of your hair’s texture, the center part is a must next spring, according to designers ranging from Marchesa and Thomas Tait to Erdem, Christopher Kane and Paul Smith.

10. Dewy Complexion and Natural Makeup

Minimal Makeup Spring 2015 Mary Katrantzou

Simple and natural makeup also made a splash among the Spring 2015 trends from London Fashion Week. Erdem was all about dewy complexion, thanks to a luminizing face enhancer, while other designers took an even more subtle approach. Mary Katrantzou kept makeup very minimal, while Preen had a unique interpretation of the natural look, by adding faux freckles on all the models.

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