This spring, I’m finding that taking things back to the basics can result in outfits that are absolutely anything but plain. I find myself typically obsessed with color. I love having a bright closet filled with pieces so bright that they pack a punch. However, this spring, I’ve taken a cue from designers like Public School by sticking to a graphic, monochromatic palette. Black and white is as classic a color palette as you can get, but sometimes less is really more, and it makes an amazing statement with so little. Public School’s take on the trend was modern, graphic and sharp. They utilized clean lines and colorblocking for a sporty, preppy look that is right on point for spring.
In taking on this trend myself, I took the look slightly away from Public School’s sportiness and gave it a more girly spin. I like to play with aesthetics and textures. I’m a little less Sporty Spice and a little more Posh Spice, so I decided to take the black and white trend more in that direction than Public School’s sharp edges. I started with a boxy, striped crop top from Nordstrom. It’s bold, playful and flirty. I chose to play that up with a pair of pretty lace shorts from Urban Outfitters. They offset the boyish cut of the crop top with rich texture and a sweet silhouette. The combination makes for the perfect summer outfit that can take you every where you need to go. I can easily envision throwing on pearly white Converse and a denim jacket or black stilettos and a gold statement necklace. The best part is that the bold black and white stripes are such a statement that they don’t require much else to really pop.
I took the rest of my styling in a direction very characteristic of my personality. Public School kept their look minimal and sleek, but I chose to have some fun with the rest of mine. I slid on my favorite shoes, a gorgeous pair of suede booties from Repetto. I braided my hair up in a pretty updo and swiped on a layer of the brightest lipstick I have, Schiap by NARS to inject the look with a fresh dose of energy. Even when I’m going for a monochromatic look, I can’t help throwing in just a little bit of color. For my last finishing touches, I added some shine with a metallic clutch, a pair of mirrored Cole Haan clubmasters and some Dior-inspired double pearl earrings. With that, I had my own take on Public School’s use of graphic black and white in my own fun and flirty package.
Get My Look: 1. A boxy, striped crop top. 2. Pretty lace shorts. 3. Iconic bright pink shade—Schiap.
