Guys, Matchy-Matchy Is Totally OK Now

One of my dirty little secrets as a fashion editor, for years, has been my love of matchy-matchy dressing. You know, a top that matches your skirt that matches your purse that matches your shoes that matches your eye shadow. But because we're living in a post-matchy world — where coordinating a black dress with a brown belt is considered not just acceptable but encouraged — I've had to pack away my twin sets. Until now, it seems.

Just this month, I rather delightfully noticed that stars — and stylish ones at that! — are taking matchy-matchy back. And if Jennifer Lopez, Kate Bosworth, and Jessica Chastain seem OK with it, who are we to disagree? Here, a look at the celebs who've recently taken to the trend and sage advice for how you can match up.

Stick With a Neutral
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Stick With a Neutral

Rosamund Pike opted for head-to-toe nude with her dress, Marni jacket, and Louis Vuitton shoes, and the neutral hue helped make her overall look much more palatable. Though, come on, swap those pesky black sunglasses for — at the very least — a pair of tortoise-shell frames!

Only Offer a Hint — Not a Pop — of Color
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Only Offer a Hint — Not a Pop — of Color

Kate Middleton might be a royal, but she's really the queen of matchy-matchy. Here, her neutral coat dress, clutch, pumps, and fascinator all stick to the same shade. And when she added a touch of color (in the form of her hat's tulle embellishment), she made sure it wasn't overbearing.

Match Your Makeup
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Match Your Makeup

Not only did Kate Bosworth match her shoes and clutch to her fire-engine red dress, but she also topped off the look with a bold red lip — and she looked all the cooler for doing so.

Be Strategic With Statement Accessories
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Be Strategic With Statement Accessories

Some might say that Kate Beckinsale's box clutch isn't full-on matchy-matchy with her nude Azzaro jumpsuit and Brian Atwood sandals, but if you zoom in closer, you'll see that her rose gold Lee Savage clutch actually has a statement stone in the exact shade as the rest of her ensemble. Well played, Beckinsale.

If Color Matching Isn't Enough, Match Texture Too
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If Color Matching Isn't Enough, Match Texture Too

Abigail Spencer didn't stop at color when it came to coordinating her suede Stuart Weitzman heels to her textural dress. She also made sure they had the same feel, too.

Play Up Hard-to-Match Prints
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Play Up Hard-to-Match Prints

Has finding the perfect match been made more complicated thanks to a dress with a print? Jessica Chastain could have gone the easy route and paired nude or black heels with her DSquared2 dress, a mosaic of fuchsias and pinks. But where's the fun in that? Instead she found the perfect pair of ankle-strap heels with a similarly colored flower appliqué.

If You Do It in Black, No One Will Even Notice
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If You Do It in Black, No One Will Even Notice

If you did it in canary yellow or even a subtle navy, you'd get some second glances, but no one in the history of clothes wearing has ever been accused of being matchy-matchy when dressed in all black. So we hate to even mention Elle Fanning's chic black peplum over black trousers over black peep-toe pumps, but it's too good a look not to.

If You Go Big, It Means You Clearly Know What You're Doing
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If You Go Big, It Means You Clearly Know What You're Doing

When Jennifer Lopez arrived for an American Idol photocall in a DSquared2 blue python dress, we thought for a split second that the ultrashort hemline was because she cut up her frock to construct her top-handle purse and pumps. But anyone who matches this purposefully must be a pro, right?