DON’T THROW SHADE ON THIS NEUTRAL TREND

THERE IS SOMETHING QUIETLY CONFIDENT about sporting multiple pieces in the same shade. The commitment to one colour sings sartorial self-assurance. Butterscotch served with eggnog dipped in some honey – it sounds ridiculous but somehow it works for the simple minimalists of this world. Designers have been humming about the soft, elegant and vaguely nostalgic appeal of all-over beige for the spring months ahead, which is good news for the softly, softly tonal dressers like myself, who find sticking to a specific colour palette pretty easy.

I find block colours in luxe fabrics instinctive and immensely flattering for my shape. I also know how to mix, match, accessorise and elevate them – or equally pare them back. They complement my skintone and instantly make me feel polished and put together at 8am.

On the other hand, for the self-assured maximalists who find sartorial solace in loud, fussy patterns, staying loyal to one colour can be a minefield. A clever style hack worth remembering for the print wearers is to add depth with metallics or jazzy motifs. Animal or snake motifs paired with a sleek camel coat or tailored trousers will break the colours up and add oomph to layers. With metallics, a little shimmer goes a long way

– lurex cardigans or silver/gold boots are both subtle injections and won’t take away from the soft undertones. Messing around with textures works too – chunky mohair jumpers teamed with silk skirts or heavy knitted dresses with slouchy boots and a tailored duster coat will keep you cosy.

I tend to find high street lookbooks really helpful for putting tonal outfits together but Olivia Palermo or Amal Cooney never get it wrong either. If you’re thinking of giving any sort of beige tone a whirl look through both their archives for some clever inspiration. A collection on the catwalk worth noting is Max Mara in Brown Thomas, whose beige wool coats are testament to the lasting power of tonal dressing every season. Creative director Ian Griffiths is a genius. Other highlights are Riccardo Tisci’s beige trench coats that he teamed with high-waist trousers and whimsical shirts at Burberry and Balmain’s suede paperbag waist shorts, teamed with over-the-knee boots in the same shade. Both are utterly beautiful and wearable – if not a tad aspirational.

The high street will have some fairly similar versions landing over the next few weeks – there are already versions spilling into &Other Stories and I spotted an oversized tan aviator jacket in H&M the other day that I’m holding out for until payday. Footwear? I would steer clear of anything low patent heel in beige or nude, otherwise you veer into school teacher territory but a cool kitten heel in leopard or spot print will offset nicely with heavier outerwear, trousers and midi dresses with a romantic flounce to them.

“I FIND BLOCK COLOURS IN LUXE FABRICS INSTINCTIVE AND IMMENSELY FLATTERING FOR MY SHAPE”