Style a top or cardigan with contrast trim with plain pieces in the same colour family, and let the trim colour return in one other part of your outfit. The trim at the neck, sleeves or hem is already a clear detail. So keep the rest calm, with a plain trouser, a plain top underneath and few accessories. In this article you can read which colour pairs work well in September and how to keep the balance.
Why a contrast trim works
A knitted piece in one colour is calm and versatile. A contrast trim adds one line to it: along the neck, the cuffs or the hem. The place of the trim decides where the contrast sits in the outfit. That way you add detail without an extra print.
Precisely because the trim is already the detail, it works best with calm around it. If you also add striped trousers and bold jewellery, everything competes with each other. Choose one thing to stand out.
The four rules for two-tone knitwear
- Keep the rest plain. Trousers, skirt and shoes in a quiet colour, so the trim gets the attention.
- Repeat the trim colour once. If there is a light trim on a dark top, also wear something light, such as a scarf or a bag. One repeat of the trim colour is usually enough if you want to keep it calm.
- Look at the undertone. A warm cream suits brown and beige, a cool white suits navy and grey. Warm and cool shades together give more contrast.
- Make the layers underneath work. A cardigan with contrast trim is worn open over a plain top. If you wear a striped top underneath, choose a different scale than the trim.
Colour pairs for September
The transition to autumn calls for colours that are soft yet have depth. These pairs work well in two-tone knitwear, or when you combine a plain piece with a second colour yourself:
| Main colour | Trim colour | Combine with |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | Cream | Beige or cream trouser |
| Light grey | Light blue | Navy or grey trouser |
| Black | White | Black trouser, white sneakers |
| Burgundy | Cream | Black or brown trouser |
The cardigan as a base
A fine-knit cardigan is the easiest piece to start with. The Veronique in light grey is made of 100% lyocell and can be combined with almost any colour. Wear it open over a plain top, or buttoned as a standalone layer. Want to know why lyocell wears so comfortably? You can read about it on the page about lyocell.
Next to the grey cardigan, the Eleanor in white is a lighter counterpart: a cardigan made of viscose with polyamide that works well over a plain top. For a softer, warmer option, choose the Josephine in black, a polo that works as a plain dark layer under a lighter cardigan.
Accessories with two-tone knitwear
With a top with trim, less is more. Wear small earrings and a thin necklace, or leave the jewellery out altogether. A scarf in the colour of the trim is fine, as long as the rest stays plain. For shoes and bag, choose a neutral colour rather than a second accent. That way you keep the whole calm and the trim reads as a deliberate choice, not a coincidence.
Top or cardigan: where does the trim sit best?
On a top, the contrast trim is often at the neck and sleeves. On a cardigan, the trim often runs along the front and the hem. There it gives a clear vertical line down the front. Short on time in the morning? Then choose a cardigan with contrast trim and wear a plain top underneath. That way you quickly have a complete combination. For a complete overview of knitted polos, take a look at the women's polos.
What do you wear underneath?
A two-tone piece calls for a careful choice underneath. If the trim is light, a plain underpiece in the dark main colour works best. That way the trim looks like a deliberate line and not a coincidence. With a dark trim on a light top, keep the trouser light or neutral.
The Daphni in cream is a trouser made of polyester with elastane and suits a dark top with a light trim. If you prefer black, the Daphni in black is a calm choice. For a soft, warm tone, the Augusta in cream is a good fit: a polo with 90.2% wool and 9.8% cashmere, which you can wear under a cardigan in a cool colour.
Three ways to wear it
- Office: two-tone cardigan open over a plain polo, with a straight trouser and loafers.
- Weekend: two-tone top with light trousers and white sneakers. Leave the jewellery at home.
- Dinner: two-tone cardigan over a black top, with a black trouser and a small piece of jewellery in the trim colour.
Caring for knitted pieces with contrast
With two-tone knitwear you want to prevent one colour from bleeding into the other. Always follow the care label. With two-tone knitwear it is extra important to follow the stated temperature and drying method. On the care instructions page you can find what to expect for each material. Always check the label in the garment itself.
Shop the look
Veronique: cardigan, light grey
Eleanor: cardigan, white
Josephine: polo, black
Daphni: trouser, cream
Augusta: polo, cream
Frequently asked questions
Which trousers suit a cardigan with contrast trim?
Choose a plain trouser in the main colour of the cardigan or in a neutral shade. That way the trim stays the only detail and the outfit does not become busy.
Can I wear a two-tone cardigan over a striped top?
You can, but then choose stripes that differ clearly from the trim in width and colour. A plain top underneath is a safer choice.
How do I prevent the colours from running into each other when washing?
Follow the care label and the recommended temperature and drying method.
