I can’t believe it’s already August and I’ve yet to address one of the best moments of the summer: the return of the banana leaf print! While the most iconic sample was developed as wallpaper by decorator Don Loper in 1942 for the Beverly Hills Hotel, variations of this distinctive pattern can be spotted on everything from swimsuits to handbags this year. I hesitate to say that I’m actually old enough to remember this from the eighties (Troop Beverly Hills? Blanche Devereaux’s bedroom?) but that’s probably why it’s always represented a sort of cheeky glamour to me. While I haven’t gone as far as to wallpaper the entire guest bath in “The Original Martinique,” I’ve been sporting this dress all summer long and loving it! What do you think? Are you loving this funky glamorous pattern? Or is this trend totally bananas? Let us know in the comments!
image sources {row 1} fabio chizzola for spanish vogue, towel from the beverly hills hotel and bungalows, slim aarons {row 2} the original martinique wallpaper, swimsuit image found via obaz (original source unknown), luke wooden for refinery 29, banana pattern found via pinterest (original source unknown) {row 3} photo of bianca jagger by unknown, striped straws from the party fairy on etsy, bathroom designed by marjorie skouras {row 4} louis maclean
this post is so fun — i’m excited to find me some banana leaf 🙂 i’ll ping you when i do!
Yes! Let us know what you find!
Love this look!
Thanks, Desiree!
What an interesting compilation! Very tropical, and the straws are so cute!
Cheers!
Akshara
Simply Akshara
Thanks so much, Akshara. I had fun with this one!
… there’s always money in the banana stand.
I’ve made a huge mistake.
Such a beautiful board! This is my FAVORITE pattern of all time. Just love it! Did you know it was in the Jersey Shore house, too? Totally random place to find it. That dress is lovely! I bought a bikini from VS this summer with a similar pattern.
I did NOT know it was in the Jersey Shore house! I’ve actually never seen that show, though I’ve heard quite a bit about it. It’s such a distinctive pattern — would be fun to start a running list of all the movies and tv shows it can be spotted in. Thanks for sharing, Jayme.
Good idea! I never would have even thought of something like this!
–Sayeh, The Office Stylist
Awesome. Thanks, Sayeh!
I am crazy for the Whit dress!
Ugh, Candice, you would look SOOO good in that dress. Those colors would be fab with your red hair! The boys love that cut-out in the back, too.
LOVE the trivia!! Thanks for sharing. Banana leaf prints are so retro-chic 🙂