A lot of people like to wear toned-down, neutral outfits, but too often, they go a bit too far and make them very bland or even boring. Luckily, it’s possible to solve that with just one or two elements that have the same effect - they create contrast. I used brown elements as an example, but you will get a similar result with other neutral colors that contrast with off-white or cream, like grey, black, navy, or olive.

Darker Belt

Adding a belt will do two things: first, it will add another layer of color and texture to your outfit; second, it will create visual separation between your trousers and sweater, emphasizing the contrast between them.

The visual difference between an outfit without a belt and an outfit with a belt.

Add a Pop of Color with Socks

Adding colorful socks to a toned-down, neutral outfit will instantly make it more interesting and add a lot of personality to your look.

The visual difference between an outfit with neutral socks and an outfit with colorful socks.

Dark Bandana or Scarf

This will add a bit of contrast at the neckline of your outfit, creating a similar effect to a belt but on a smaller scale. It will also act as a counterbalance to your socks, drawing some attention away from them.

The visual difference between an outfit without a bandana and an outfit with a bandana.

A Dark Bag

A dark bag will add even more balance to your neutral outfit by creating contrast with your trousers and evening out the bottom part of the outfit.

The visual difference between an outfit without a bag and an outfit with a bag.

A Dark Jacket

Outerwear covers over half of your outfit, so it will have the biggest impact on the whole look. A dark jacket will always create the most contrast in the outfit because it will put all the lighter-colored layers in the spotlight.

The visual difference between an outfit without a jacket and an outfit with a jacket.

Dark Sunglasses

If you wear dark-framed prescription glasses, then you probably create this effect with almost every outfit you wear. If not, wearing dark sunglasses is another great option to balance out a very light, neutral outfit. This option really depends on the weather and location, so it’s not always possible for everyone, which is why it’s the last option on the list.

Let me know how often you use any of these methods, or if you have any other ways to create contrast in your outfit.

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