Getting dressed in the dark may not be as challenging as you once thought.

Hollywood’s new favourite red carpet star, 12 Years a Slave‘s Lupita Nyong’o, is a pioneer in the field of keeping it simple. Sure, her outfits consist of expensive, couture pieces and she happens to be mind-blowingly beautiful, but her ethos is one any woman can embrace: Wear one colour, head to toe, every day.

It’s so achingly simple we’re surprised it hasn’t been thought of before. Nyong’o’s stylist, Micaela Erlanger (who also dresses Downton Abbey‘s Michelle Dockery) clothes her star client in a constant parade of matchy-matchy outfits in rainbow bright colours, receiving rave reviews for every get-up.

Not only is matching your shoes, dress, jacket and bag an easy task, it’s also got serious style impact. Block colours, especially in winter, are eye-catching, classic and fresh all at the same time.

Now that we know the secret to out-the-door-in-minutes style, we’ve compiled a guide to making the switch to a block colour wardrobe.

Don’t over-think it

The philosophy is to make life easier, so let your new rule miraculously streamline your shopping experience. Once you know your colour, you can focus on cut and fabric. Get rid of ugly, ill-fitting or uncomfortable clothes in your wardrobe and replace them with classic, comfy items in your new go-to colour. When you wake up, grab a top, some pants, a jacket and shoes and run out the door. You won’t even need to look in the mirror.

Know what suits you

No point wearing fabulous hot pink outfits if it clashes with your skin tone. Be aware of the shades that suit you. Heading to a makeup consultation will give you some clues; if an eyeshadow colour suits your face, it’s likely to suit the rest of you too.

Singer Paloma Faith coordinates her clothing with her coiffure.

It’s all about texture

Craving variation? Easy – mix fabrics like silk, faux fur, tweed or wool to create texture contrasts.

Kim Kardashian pairs her silk dress with a wool coat to mix it up.

Be seasonal

Yellow is not so appealing in the middle of winter. Choose your colours depending on the weather. In summer, buy white, blue or pink pieces and in winter switch to navy, black or burgundy.

Fashionista Miroslava Duma shows off a winter-appropriate shade of burgundy.

When in doubt, imitate

If you don’t know which colour to choose, follow the lead of these stylish stars who prove that some hues that are universal.

LILAC: Miley Cyrus, Lupita Nyong’o, Rihanna and the Burberry runway.

NUDE: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lupita Nyong’o and Rooney Mara.

COBALT: Zosia Mamet, Katy Perry and Miroslava Duma.

RED: Penelope Cruz, Amanda Seyfried, Rihanna and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

WHITE: Chrissy Teigen, the Ralph Lauren runway and Zoe Saldana.