STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black, White and Fifty Shades of Gray

White, black and gray are basic colors, but the style they create is not basic at all. To be honest, I’m a big fan of bright colors (duh, my hair is purple), but sometimes the right combination of these monochromatic colors can produce a very edgy look. Because black and white create an almost intimidating contrast, a blend of the two can be a little hard to master. To sooth this visually jarring contrast, we can bridge the gap with 50 shades of gray—yes, I went there. This pun never gets old when your name is Anastasia.

Also, the rule of never wearing white after Labor Day is absolutely outdated. Come on now, what says winter more than white snow blanketing the city? Of course, an all-white look might not be that feasible if you’re not a six-foot-tall, size zero model. That’s why we need to throw in some black and gray to update the look. To spice it up a little more, choose different textures like this Fashionista, who layers leather on knitwear. Another option is adding studs into the mix. After all, silver studs still sort of fit into the monochrome.

This Fashionista really knows her way to chic and edginess. I admire how her leather jacket is white; there are many black leather jackets in the market, so hers stands out as more elegant, yet still a bit badass. Her slightly acid-washed pants mix dark gray into a lighter shade, demonstrating her brilliant control over the gray scale. What strikes me the most is how her black ankle boots extend from her dark pants, elongating her legs. Also, the white Coach bag matches perfectly with the leather jacket, completing the look with a fresh vibe.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “The world is better with colors, but fashion is better off with only black, white and gray.”

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