Bold Monochromatic Looks are the Power Pose of 2021

A look into the history of this year’s iconic fashion trend with these 11 ethical fashion brands

Written by Manpreet Kaur Kalra, founder of Art of Citizenry and co-founder of Reclaim Collaborative

Photographed by Chloe Jackman of Chloe Jackman Photography

Creative Direction + Styling by Rachel Faller of tonlé + Chloe Jackman Photography

This year, beyond honoring International Women’s Day, we are taking a moment to recognize the complexity of our experiences. 2021 has already given us a bold reminder of the many ways in which women have and continue to dismantle a patriarchal system. 

During the historic Inauguration of our first BIPOC & female Vice President, color and style melded together to challenge convention and create space — reminding us of the subtle ways in which patriarchy continues to control our experiences in relation to power. 

Capturing Jade Green on Shanon Brown - featuring a zero-waste fashion outfit by tonlé, recycled glass jewelry by Global Mamas, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Chloe in Spruce by Bryr Clogs.

Monochromatic Pantsuits: Fashion that Smashes the Patriarchy

What we wear is political. Historically, style and dress codes have been used as a tool to control women. Our wardrobes are constantly scrutinized for either being too “feminine” or too “masculine.” It, of course, comes as no surprise that women in politics are expected to balance their femininity with their style.

Capturing Wine Burgundy on Pallavi Kidambi, Fiber Artist- featuring a bold African Ankara print head wrap by Love Iguehi, zero waste fashion maxi wrap dress by tonlé, and handmade jewelry by Pattu Pallu Studios created by Pallavi Kidambi.

The systems of power we are navigating today were not created with women in mind. It wasn’t until 1993 that women were “allowed” (yes, I said allowed) to wear a pantsuit on the Senate floor. Years later, during her presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton turned the pantsuit into a white monochromatic power outfit, making a statement without saying anything. 

Capturing White Cream on Taylor Alexis - on the left: featuring a vintage top by The Future Past and handmade earrings by Grey Jays. On the right: featuring a coat by Curator, hand woven zero-waste top and bottoms by tonlé, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Zoe by Bryr Clogs. 

Capturing Latte on Shannon Brown - handwoven, zero waste priya sweater and RJ classic pants by tonlé, upcycled handmade earrings by Grey Jays, ethically handmade ring by MULXIPLY, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Zoe by Bryr Clogs.

Some may argue that the pantsuit in itself is giving into the patriarchy’s definition of what power looks like. However, the fact women have to think ten times more than their male counterparts about what they wear speaks to the reality of power dynamics. 

Capturing Mustard Yellow on Pallavi Kidambi, Fiber Artist— featuring ethically made small batch fashion top and skirt by Curator, zero-waste handknit maleng scarf by tonlé, handmade jewelry by Pattu Pallu Studios created by Pallavi Kidambi, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Jesse Stack by Bryr Clogs.

Using Color to Reclaim Space 

As women, we are not just fighting for equality. We are fighting for what we deserve — equity. Oppression is intersectional and goes beyond our identities as women. Each of us is carving our own paths, overcoming challenges that are unique to our individual experiences. Vice President Kamala Harris’s purple Inaugural pantsuit was a nod to exactly that.

Capturing Purple Violet on Nina Asay — featuring ethically made dress and coat by Curator, hand dyed silk head scarf by The Future Past, and acrylic handmade bracelets by The Golden Hour. 

Colors are symbolic. From Kamala Harris to Hillary Clinton to Michelle Obama, shades of purple made a bold statement during this year’s inauguration. Purple has long been considered the color of bipartisan unity, blending together red and blue.

Capturing Royal Blue on Nina Asay — featuring zero waste top and culottes by tonlé from the Plant Kween collection, acrylic handmade bracelet by The Golden Hour, bold earrings by Blessed Designs, and second hand shoes from Goodwill. 

Purple was also the color of the suffrage movement, a movement in which Vice President Harris could have not participated due to the color of her skin. By wearing purple, Vice President Harris acknowledged the movement while also symbolically challenging it as a woman of color.

Gold and white were also colors of the suffrage movement. Capturing the essence of gold through this Mocha Brown look on Taylor Alexis — featuring a vintage top by The Future Past, copper wrap skirt by tonlé, vegan handbag by Carry Courage, earrings by Candid Art, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Zoe by Bryr Clogs.

Yellow made its mark on 2021 as the Pantone Color of the Year and also as the color of Amanda Gorman’s iconic yellow coat. Amanda became an icon after delivering what was both a powerful and hopeful poem during this year’s Inauguration. Uplifting and vibrant, yellow is the color of hope and resilience — two feelings that capture the poet laureate’s words oh so perfectly. 

Capturing Marigold Yellow on Taylor Alexis — featuring a handwoven, zero waste srey crop top by and scarf and pants from the tonlé collab with Plant Kween, upcycled handmade earrings by Grey Jays, acrylic handmade bracelets by The Golden Hour, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Zoe by Bryr Clogs.

Let Your Wardrobe be Bold, Vibrant, and Fabulous
Sustainable fashion has become synonymous with beige and monotone, but it doesn’t always have to be. Feeling inspired by the powerful monochromatic looks of this year’s Inauguration, Chloe Jackman and Rachel Faller of Reclaim Collaborative decided to bring together their favorite sustainable fashion brands including tonlé, Curator, and Bryr Clogs for a photo shoot that is as bold as it is powerful.

Capturing Tomato Orange on Taylor Alexis — featuring a bold zero-waste outfit from the tonlé X Plant Kween collaborative collection, statement earrings by Candid Art, and handcrafted shoes featuring the Chloe by Bryr Clogs.

We like to think of color as a way to reclaim space, space that has historically been available only to those who benefit from a patriarchal system. 

Reclaim your space because you are powerful.