There's something quietly powerful  about a well-balanced outfit. One that feels cohesive, intentional, and naturally stylish without trying too hard. The secret? It's all in the tones.

What Is Tonal Dressing?

Tonal dressing is about building your outfit around one main color family, then playing with different shades, textures, and fabrics to create depth. Think of it as composing a visual melody: every piece harmonizes with the next, resulting in a look that feels calm, confident, and put-together.

From tailored suits to casual shackets, tonal dressing is one of the easiest  ways to elevate your everyday style--especially when you're working with timeless palettes like browns, beiges, ecru, or other earth tones.

How To Build The Tonal Outfit?

Start With a Base Color

Begin with one dominant color that feels true to your personality and lifestyle. Earthy tones like brown, taupe, or camel, bring warmth and sophistication. Neutrals like ecru, gray, or ivory deliver a modern, minimalist mood. Once you've picked your foundation, every other piece should complement it rather than compete.

(Example from look: MTO Brown Suit Paired with OQ Knit Tee in Ecru.) 

Add  Variations in Shade

Here's where tonal dressing gets interesting. Instead of matching every item exactly, mix pieces that sit within the same color family, but vary slightly in lightness or hue. That subtle  contrast is what keeps your outfit dynamic; think dark chocolate trousers with a milk-coffee blazer, or soft beige linen pants under a cream jacket.

(Example from look: MTO Dean Shacket styled with light linen trousers and a cream knit tee.)

Play With Texture

Texture is the  unsung hero of tonal dressing. When your colors are similar, fabric becomes the key to visual depth. Combine smooth and structures materials—like wool suiting, soft knits, or crisp linen, to make your look come alive.

(Example from look: the cadillac from the shacket paired with knit tee and linen trousers).

Balance Light and Dark

Just like a good composition, your outfit needs contrast. Balancing lighter and deeper tones within the  same spectrum adds dimension and flow. A dark jacket over a light base, or vice versa,  frames your silhouette and makes every piece stand out in harmony. 

Why It Works

Tonal dressing removes the guesswork. It's a fail-safe way to look polished and modern, whether you're suiting up for a meeting  or keeping it easy for the  weekend. It's versatile, adaptable, and timeless--because good tone never goes out of style.  

Shop The Look

MTO Brown Suit — starts from IDR 4,799,000

MTO Dean Shacket — starts from IDR 1,500,000

OQ Knit Tee — IDR 599,000

All pieces are part of our Made-to-Order and Ready-to-Wear collections at Open Quarter. Designed to let you tailor your way: subtle, sophisticated,  and always in tune with your lifestyle.