Safari Chic

Safari gear has been all the rage this season — and between the trendiness of the neutral color palette, the prominent military influence in this past season’s fashion, and the resurgence of the ever-stylish trench, it’s really no surprise why.  I latched onto the trend this past winter, when I invested in my first pair of Hunter boots.  I’d seen Rachel Bilson sporting hers around L.A., and then, suddenly, the streets of Georgetown were filled with trendy little 20-somethings with jeans or leggings tucked into candy-colored rainboots.  But I fell in love with the safari version — the Lady N’s:

Ever since, I’d daydreamed about a little safari wardrobe, partly inspired by this grubby little picture of Kate Moss in her own Lady N’s, covered in mud.

For my own safari-chic look, I’ve been imagining white or khaki shorts (both below this season, J. Crew), or maybe a pair of fitted white jeans to tuck into the boots:

Paired with loose chambray shirts or white oxfords (J. Crew and Current Elliott both have some cool-looking denim utility shirts):

Topped off with some huge, glam sunglasses (like these, by Oliver Peoples) and a sun-hat.

Or maybe a nice little safari-inspired dress in a khaki or neutral color, like this one, by Diane Von Furstenburg:

I like the idea of contrasting the simple, utilitarian, nearly masculine aesthetic with an over-the-top dramatic bib necklace like one of these (the first by Tory Burch, the second by Kenneth Jay Lane, and the third by Lizzie Fortunato):

I like that each has a sort of tribal aesthetic — a perfect complement to the Africa-inspired safari chic look.  Of course, what safari would be complete without vintage style trunks (Louis Vuitton) or a leopard print weekender (Tory Burch) to throw in the back of your Land Rover?