The Unexpected Trend of the Season

I usually gravitate toward florals and pops of color for summer, but there’s something modern and elevated about sticking to clean black and white. I decided to give some monochromatic pieces a go on my recent Hawaii vacation, and was surprised to find how well they worked for my day-to-day activities – not to mention the beautiful contrast they created against the vibrant tropical scenery!

This look was one of my favorites during the trip, as it went easily from day to night and worked in a variety of travel situations. It’s from Old Navy’s new Ivory Coast collection, which is filled with comfortable, lightweight pieces inspired by global influences and hand crafted African designs in soft, natural textures and angular geometric prints that are perfect for travel.

I love how soft and easy these pants are – they’re super comfy, cut like a casual linen pant and you don’t need to worry about them getting wrinkled in transit. Plus, the print is really versatile. You can wear them with a tee, denim jacket and a scarf on the plane, and add a lightweight blazer and heeled sandals for going out at night. They also come in an olive green print, which is just as sleek and versatile.

I wanted to add some texture to the overall look, so I paired the pants with a feminine crochet top and cognac tote. The slide sandals are perfect for day-to-night and even work on the beach – you can slide them off easily before you walk through the sand and because they’re faux leather, you don’t have to worry about scuffs.

The rest of the Ivory Coast collection is just as travel-ready, filled with cool geometric prints and monochromatic pieces that easily mix and matched with the rest of your wardrobe. I’ve also been eyeing pretty flowing dresses, linens, and light denims that are perfect for warm weather and easy to pack.

The best thing about monochromatic clothing is you can create head-to-toe monochromatic looks without looking like you’re repeating outfits, yet also pair those pieces with others that are more colorful. Think of monochrome basics as the backbone of your wardrobe – vacation or otherwise!