The perfect match…

During the summer, I’m always looking for excuses to channel my inner beach bum. Lucky for me, I was recently in Santa Monica and was totally inspired by the gorgeous scenery. The challenge of incorporating resort wear into my daily outfits is a fun one, and working with summertime prints is one of the easiest ways to do this. One of my favorite prints of all time, the lush banana leaf, was inspiration for this particular look. The tropical foliage reminds me of my favorite place to stay in L.A. — The Beverly Hills Hotel! Small nuances and overlaps between fashion and interior design have always intrigued me. If it was acceptable to wear this print all year round, you know I would.

It’s a bold print, the banana leaf, which is why I opted for this season’s trend of matching separates to break up the big block of green and white. The trousers are high waisted and the crop top is a bit on the longer side, so it’s age appropriate and works for any casual or evening outings. I also like to throw on an extra layer if the temperature allows me to, just to add a small modest element for daytime. A denim jacket is an easy layer that I never need to think about, because I know it will perfectly complement any of my outfits (all year round!) Another reason I adore matching separates is all of the options that the two pieces present in my closet. I can wear the crop top with nearly any kind of skirt, denim, high waisted trousers…the list goes on. And the banana leaf pants? While this garment may cause a few sharp inhales among my readers, I promise its equally as versatile. Tuck in a favorite white tee for an easy and laid-back vibe. Choose another neutral, solid crop top in place of the matching top for another option. And if you’re feeling extra beachy, use these trousers as an alternative to your favorite swim cover up.

Because this print is so busy, I let it speak for itself. No artisanal jewelry or hand-made bags this time around. I chose a neutral tote for my day out, and my signature heels to complete the look. This is an easy look to transform for evening, with a myriad of possibilities for styling. By ditching the denim jacket and throwing on a simple white stiletto, I’m ready for an evening of drinks with friends. Is dancing on the menu? I could keep the matching separates on, or switch out the trousers for a feminine circle skirt that allows for more movement. So yes, this was the perfect pair to bring with me to Santa Monica. However, I have a few more outfit ideas up my (denim jacket) sleeve as to how to wear these pieces throughout the rest of the summer. This is definitely not the last you’ll see of the banana leaf. Remember to follow my Instagram to see how I style this and other summer-y prints in the coming months!