Color effects mood. There’s no question about that.

In items of clothing, that notion can be a bit misleading, though. Particularly in suiting for women, you’ve likely heard that you should stick with a neutral suit (black, navy, or grey) and add “a pop of color”. Typically, that translates into a brightly colored or patterned top paired with a boring, boxy suit.

Contrasting colors highlight shape. In the case of the typical pant suit, with pants sitting below the waistline and blazer, your body is essentially cut in half.

Even with the blazer fastened, the result is a large upside down triangle at the top of your body.

Dressing in one color, on the other hand, has an instantly unifying effect, which is “‘universally flattering,’” as it creates a single, unbroken line that both elongates and polishes,” according to the New York Times. The Wall Street Journal called dressing in one color the easiest way to look put-together.

While monochrome is the fashion buzzword of the day, according to InStyle and Glamour, this Vogue article postures that monochrome is a style staple rather than a fad.

Monochromatic dressing is not without risk. The wrong shape or fit can easily create a drowning effect. A color not suited to your skin tone can wash out your face and neck.

The hue you choose should also be strategic, more subdued for court and bolder for situations where you hope to make a statement.

I tend to go with cool tones, like blues and purples, if I’m going with a color other than white, navy, black, or grey. A vibrant pink is also a fun option, but light pink is too close to my actual skin color and washes me out.

Whichever hue you choose, though, it should make you feel powerful.