Parisians Use This Color Styling Technique

It’s a pet peeve of mine—and, frankly, a rule of modern fashion—that people feel their bag. it should match their shoes by color. As a fashion designer, I’m here to fix this once and for all because I believe it’s what separates a “good” outfit from a “great one.” My main point is that if you follow this “rule,” the bag or shoes often become an afterthought instead of an intentional accessory, resulting in a look that lacks dimension and interest. I know I am not alone in this; my fellow editors at Who What Wear agree, and I’ve noted that the best dressers in Paris—both locals and tourists—often ignore this idea.

I recently saw Halle Berry do this mismatched color style trick while visiting Paris. The actress wore a polished winter denim look: mid-rise straight leg jeans, a gray double-breasted coat, and a gray scarf. For her accessories, she paired black pointed-toe boots with a brown purse. Someone who still clings to the old “rule” might ask why she didn’t choose a black bag or brown boots. Yet it was this deliberate conflict that lifted her dress, making it look beautiful and interesting.