Attending a function, going to a wedding, or even just heading out for a date night – wearing a coordinated outfit can be a really romantic move, and we don’t have to look far to find celebs that love to match their partners when we go out.
However, there is a fine line between looking coordinated and looking like you are headed to some sort of fancy dress party – and no one wants to look like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake when they stepped out in matching denim back in the day. We should look to the suave and sophisticated couples for guidance here, think about David and Victoria Beckham, who usually wear complementing outfits (most notably the head-to-toe leather at the London Versace Club back in 1999), or even Kim and Kanye when they both wore double-breasted suits to an event.
Where to start
To start with, think about taking inspiration from what your partner is wearing. You want to match the aesthetic to begin with; more relaxed, casual looks cannot easily be paired with a ballgown, for example. You can either work together to make a style you love, or just go for the look that you are most comfortable in.
Colors are one of the easiest ways to coordinate without looking like you are trying too hard. You’ll see it at the big balls and parties, when one part of the pair wears something that is the same color as their partner. This might be as simple as a tie and a pocket square in the same color as the gown, or a suit jacket that matches.
If you want to make more of a statement, then matching one part of the outfit exactly is a nice touch. A bright or interesting coat, like the statement bubble coat, is one way to do that.
A subtle way to coordinate
For a quieter nod to your partner’s style choices, why not consider choosing matching accessories? It might be something as simple as adding aviator-style sunglasses to your outfit, or wearing the same trainers, for example. This is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to feel closer to your partner and is a trick that is used by famous couples in many different situations. If you’re married, you’re likely already doing this in some way with your wedding rings!
Back to colors quickly – as one of the nicest, and most subtle, ways to coordinate with your partner is not to necessarily wear the same colors, or the same outfit, but to choose colors that match and blend with what they are wearing. Neutrals are perfect for this, as they tend to work really well with each other and look classy without too much effort.
Most of these tips work for going out, whether on date night or something a bit more formal. For events like weddings, balls, or galas, you have the opportunity to really plan a coordinating outfit – so that does make it easier.
For a male-female pairing, or one where one half of the partnership is wearing a dress while the other is wearing a tuxedo or a suit, the choices are quite straightforward. Usually, the tuxedo accessories will be attuned to the style and color of the dress – as already mentioned, with a pocket square, a tie, or maybe even the dinner jacket. Cufflinks might be made of pearls or diamonds to match the jewelry being worn. Other pairings can make it work in a similar way – and it won’t look too overdone at such a fancy event, either.
In a more relaxed setting, matching your partner can be as simple as following the same aesthetic – rockers in band tees, leather jackets, and ripped jeans, for example.
Of course, if you are headed to a fancy-dress party, you’ll have way more choice in what to wear – and you might even choose the over-the-top denim look of Britney and Justin to cement your love for each other