Some of our dearest friends in Chicago are moving to LA in a few months and it’s led me to do some recon on the area, as I fully intend to visit now that I know someone there. (In their own words, “LA is a terrible place to visit unless you have someone to take you around.” — They’ve lived there before and know what they’re talking about.) Of course I automatically assume all of LA looks like the Beverly Hills hotel, all banana leaf print + pale pink. And I want to go to there. And all of the tropical places below in the same hues.
This also led me to realize how many banana leaf / palm print pieces there are out in the shopping world right now! And I love it all. Such a great, hearty, throwback print — it just screams “let’s stay up all night and drink mojitos,” and I love that vibe. And Dolce + Gabbana came on STRONG with this look this season — check it out: epic dresses like this ($1695, shown below) and totes like this are making life oh-so foliage-forward. And so freaking amazing with this fringed espadrille ($200), a straw clutch ($88), and some pink shades (on sale for $116).
Other, more affordable ways to get this look:
+Mara Hoffmann crop top ($200 — holy hell do I love this);
+The sweetest embroidered clutch (on sale for $58!);
+Jute wedges ($200);
+Easy shift dress ($205 — get the look for a little less with this shift from Catherine Malandrino);
+Monogrammed banana leaf paper in lucite holder ($50);
+Birds clutch ($220);
+And let’s not forget this simple slip dress ($60) — are the 90s coming back?? Remember when Carrie Bradshaw told us we could wear slip dresses?
+Gold gladiators (on sale for $221);
+Pink-and-gold shades (on sale for $20) that take a lot of cues from Dior’s famed style;
+J.Crew has a fabulous pattern available in an OTS dress ($128, shown below) or a sweet ruffle-sleeve blouse ($98);
+Banana clutch ($198);
+This crop top (on sale for $165) fits right in;
+Nars’ Manoi body oil ($59) feels like the perfect scent for all of these looks;
+Woven slides ($98);
+D+G pareo ($425);
+For home, this palm wall hook ($88) is just about the chicest, funkiest thing I’ve ever seen;
+OMG, Edie Parker’s clutches SLAY me ($1,595).
+Lastly, I die over this Mara dress ($433), and not just because my sister designed it.
+And this palm-leaf clutch ($70) has got my name all over it.
+For any of these looks, go heavy on the bronzer — Guerlain’s is my favorite ($53).
+Hosting cocktails at your place? Love these napkins ($6).
And, saving the best for last, I had to snag this Ann Taylor (yes, Ann Taylor!) shirt dress in the cutest palm leaf print. It’s linen! And printed! And midi-length! And perfect.
A few other steals I have to share with you:
+Cute palm print bikini, on sale from hot bikini brand Mikoh.
+Precious canvas clutch. Also check out this one. Can’t decide which I’d rather have!
+Alluring palm print one-piece.
+Absolutely DIE over these chic embroidered shams.
+And this rug is epic.
+Not palm-printed, but this Tibi classic tank is on sale in a great green hue.