Olive, khaki, army green - I have to be honest and admit this rather murkier of greens has never caught my attention, especially since we have been living in the Tropics for the past five years. I always held the notion it was a colour best left to hiding the splash back from walking down a rainy London street - not a colour that seemed at all at home in this sunshine state.
But lately, I’ve been revising my opinion of olive and decided that its actually rather a clever colour. It shares the illusion of being a ‘slimming’ colour much like you'd achieve from wearing top-to-toe black. It has a warming affect on all skin tones unlike black or dark grey which can drain you of all colour and glow. And when the texture is a silky or luxuriously soft, it feels surprising and unexpectedly chic.
Wearing military green in a cargo pant or jacket with utilitarian pockets, gives an easy, downtown/street look that can be kept casual with a tee and soft hobo or dressed up with heels and clutch for cocktail hour. Khaki holds its own brilliantly against pops of colour like yellow or neons but looks timeless when paired against black and/or gold. Look to the Fendi SS16 (above) for how olive with black detailing can look incredibly luxe.
Before, I wouldn’t have considered an all-over-khaki costume (it having brought to mind Kim Kardashian in tight lycra ), but now, I’m on the hunt for a pair of silk cargo pants or a jump suit as I can’t think of anything more chic. Olive seems to function perfectly as both an accent or an axis layer - and if the versatility box is checked, that always gets my vote.
So if you are like me and thought khaki was limited to extras from M*A*S*H, I urge you to change your mind. Channel a military mood, work a safari style by mixing with creams or work a utility trend by opting for an all-in-one olive jump suit.
For now, here are three different looks I’ve put together - easy Sunday brunch look, travelling in style and date night. Enjoy!
Shop the look:
1. Banana Republic Ruffle Trim Tank 2. Oliver People O'Malley sun glasses from Paris Miki SG 3. Opale Paris Bangle (hopi python squame silver/yellow) 4. Anna Lou of London #coffee necklace 5. Elyse & i Percy tote in buttermlk 6. Mango soft fabric shorts in khaki 7. Elina Linardaki 'Ginger' Sandals on Etsy
Shop the look:
1. Vaughan pure silk bettie cap shirt 2. McGuire denim trivago cargo pants on shopbop.com 3. Opale Paris long necklace cattle horn 4. Elyse & i freya fringe in cognac tan 5. Lucas Jack diamond stacking rings 6. Coclico rye wedge from shopbop.com
Shop the look:
1. Banana Republic metallic midi shirt dress in dark cypress 2. Finlay & Co 'Hudson' frame in light tortoise 3. Cat Preston HK pave silver earrings with black spinel 4. Elyse & i marieke minaudiere in disco gold (reverse shown) 5. Opale Paris navajo python bleached fluo yellow cuff 6. Charles & Keith black studded platform sandals