Forget colour-blocking. Forget “statement” pieces. The sharpest way to dress this season is to pick one colour and stick with it. It’s called drenching—layering different tones of the same shade from head to toe—and it’s the easiest route to looking pulled together without appearing like you’re overthinking it.
The idea has pedigree. George Clooney still wears his suits that way—navy shirt, navy tie, navy jacket—hence his confident, timeless appeal. David Beckham does it too, in his endless variations of beige and camel. Andrew Garfield did it as well at the Critics Choice Awards.
Once you notice it, you’ll start to see it everywhere: on red carpets, in airport lounges, at fashion week. It has become the uniform of men who dress well without making a fuss about it.
That’s because drenching makes sense. It’s simple, it’s flattering and it removes the decision-making from getting dressed. You don’t have to worry about what goes with what, because everything already does. Pick one colour family, then vary the shade or the fabric to keep things interesting.
Boss captures the look perfectly this season. Its collection runs through easy tonal mixes of navy, grey, sand and brown. They’re colours that suit most men and work in almost any setting. The trick isn’t to match everything exactly—it’s to stay within the same colour universe and let textures do the work. A wool coat over a fine cotton jumper. A suede bomber with soft tailored trousers. Brushed flannel against cool, sharp poplin. Those small differences make the outfit feel layered, even when it’s all one colour.
Drenching is easy to pull off, too. Start with what you already own. A grey jumper, a navy overshirt, or a pair of beige trousers. Then build from there, going lighter or darker with each piece. Shoes can sit a tone deeper than your trousers; accessories can echo the base shade without being matchy-matchy. The result looks deliberate but easy-on-the-eye: the definition of modern dressing.
One colour, worn well… and that’s it. Turns out the simplest idea in menswear is one of the most effective.
