Achromatic prints  are probably one of the most versatile prints out there!

Achromatic means ‘without colour‘. If you look at the colour wheel, you will see that it only represents colours that have ‘chroma’ = colour in them.

Black and white don’t have any colour in them so are not on the wheel.

The beauty of these colours is that they co-ordinate with all colours on the wheel.

When you put them in a print, you have a combination that is unstoppable!

For added practicality I would recommend choosing prints that have cream rather than stark white in them. 

Black and white prints work very well in summer as they are very crisp and clean.

Cream and black will work pretty much all year around and are more colour-friendly. They take light neutral, dark neutral and bright colours really well!

For the purpose of demonstrating this concept, I’ve chosen a skirt from Massimo Dutti.

IMPORTANT: it can be ANY piece – top, trousers, bag or shoes in this print. The type of garment is irrelevant, but some pieces will be more wearable in this print than others. A skirt is a very safe investment in this print.

I am showing you combinations with jumpers so you don’t get distracted by layering or accessories. Just pay attention to colours below. There are, of course, lots of other options that the skirt could be styled with, jumpers are only one of them.

As for the type of print, it can be anything – stripes, polka dot, geomentric print, animal print, florals.

Just make sure there is no third colour. Once you have a third colour present, it brings in terms & conditions and co-ordinating will not be as straightforward.

Achromatic prints can also take other prints very well. It might feel too busy for some but it’s definitely a possibility. The best way to co-ordinate these prints together is by making sure there is at least one mutual colour. Stripes are the easiest to co-ordinate with if you want to play it safe. 

If you don’t have an achromatic print in your wardrobe yet, I would highly encourage you to consider it.

Take even a simple striped top – there is a huge variety of combinations that could be created with it. You will only be limited by fabrics.

If you have something in this print already, try to find new options within your wardrobe that you didn’t consider before.

Cream & black skirt

https://www.massimodutti.com/ie/women/collection/skirts/two-tone-print-skirt-c675013p8843001.html?colorId=251&categoryId=675013

Cream jumper with mesh sleeve

https://www.zara.com/ie/en/contrast-knit-sweater-p06771008.html?v1=36267186&v2=1445718

Pistachio jumper

https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/sweaters-and-cardigans-sweaters/purl-knit-sweater_67054407.html?c=45&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;55,355,610,810

Off-shoulder metallic jumper

https://www.reiss.com/eu/p/metallic-asymmetric-top-womens-isla-in-silver-grey-metallic-aw19/?category_id=1123&gaEeList=W%20-%20Knitwear#&gid=1&pid=2

Taupe rollneck

https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-jumpers-and-cardigans/78met/mozart-ottoman-high-neck-jumper.htm?clr=979298

Light mint rollneck

https://eu.topshop.com/en/tseu/product/clothing-485092/jumpers-cardigans-6924637/pale-blue-central-seam-knitted-jumper-9428034

Blush rollneck

https://www.reiss.com/eu/p/wool-cashmere-blend-rollneck-jumper-womens-bonnie-in-light-purple/?category_id=1123&gaEeList=W%20-%20Knitwear#&gid=1&pid=3

Open back jumper

https://www2.hm.com/en_ie/productpage.0747805003.html

Black puff sleeve jumper

https://www.cosstores.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/tops/product.puff-sleeve-knitted-top-black.0843292001.html

Burgundy jumper

https://www.massimodutti.com/mt/women/collection/sweaters-%26-cardigans/view-all/100%25-cashmere-crew-neck-sweater-c911188p8847037.html?colorId=641&categoryId=911188

Cognac rollneck

https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/sweaters-and-cardigans-sweaters/cowl-neck-sweater_67001011.html?c=30&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;55,355,610,810

Olive cardi

https://www.oasis-stores.com/ie/boxy-cardigan/073567.html?dwvar_073567_color=28

Coral jumper

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/product/cloud-7-cashmere-crew-neck-jumper/J40633_PI114

Teal cowlneck

https://uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.84/8527890751

Fuchsia v-neck

https://uk.maje.com/en/ready-to-wear/collection/pullovers-and-cardigans/220manon/MFPPU00261.html?dwvar_MFPPU00261_color=0054#start=19

Blue puff sleeve jumper

https://eu.topshop.com/en/tseu/product/clothing-485092/jumpers-cardigans-6924637/blue-exaggerated-sleeve-knitted-sweatshirt-9659509

Mustard v-neck

https://shop.mango.com/ie/women/sweaters-and-cardigans/v-neckline-sweater_67045917.html?c=15&n=1&s=prendas_she.familia;55,355,610,810

Lined cardigan

https://eu.sandro-paris.com/en/woman/sweaters-et-cardigans/cardigan-with-printed-lining/SFPCA00166.html?dwvar_SFPCA00166_color=20#sz=24&start=49

V-neck jumper

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/product/monochrome-rib-v-neck-sweater/J40696_CR018

Multi-coloured rollneck

https://www.stories.com/en_eur/clothing/knitwear/sweaters/product.geometric-colour-block-sweater-black.0825350001.html