5 Monochrome Beach Outfits Inspired by the Vogue Archive

Tired of your swimwear already? Spruce up your suits by sticking to one color palette from head to toe and give your well-loved bikinis and one-pieces new life for the rest of summer. Monochrome dressing is a styling trick often kept in back pockets of street style stars, but it isn’t limited to outside the shows. In fact, the tonal approach for summertime style was seen in past pages of Vogue ranging from the forties to the eighties, in both brilliant beach outfits and glam poolside ensembles. In energizing brights or soft neutrals, consider your next beach look sorted.

And dressing in a single color has its own effortless ease. Stay comfortable in loose pull on shorts or wrap up in a low slung pareo, get covered up in an oversized button down or flowing caftan, and accessorize with your pick of sunhat and tinted sunglasses. Here, 5 monochrome beach outfits inspired by the Vogue archive that set the tone on high summer style.

Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, March 1989

Golden Hour

Catch rays in a slew of sunny separates, like a ruched one-piece suit and pull on terry-soft beach shorts. Top it off with a mustard drawstring bucket hat from Jacquemus and a pair of slingbacks from the Row and you’re golden.

Jacquemus Le Bob cotton bucket hat

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Isa Boulder Chandler tie-straps ruched swimsuit

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Photographed by Serge Balkin, Vogue, May 1949

Soft Sand Dunes

Whether you’re on the beach or the boardwalk, stay cool in sandy neutrals in a variety of textures like natural canvas, woven wicker, and soft suede. A mixed media shoulder bag is a chic alternative to the classic beach tote while a pair of lace up flip flops are casual enough to wear on the beach, but elevated.

Riot Swim Jax top and Milo bottom

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Emily Levine knot cotton canvas wicker bag

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Photographed by Arthur Elgort, Vogue, March 1989

Laying Down the Lawn

No beach access? No problem. If you’re upstate or inland, try seagrass greens for laying poolside or relaxing in your slice of the great outdoors. Keep your uniform simple with a lime one piece and complementing sarong. Tote your necessities — headphones, sunscreen, and sage-tinted sunnies — in a top handle.

Jade Swim Evolve one-shoulder swimsuit

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For the Ages Yoko tote in lime green

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Faithfull the Brand tie-dye mini pareo

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Photographed by Peter Lindbergh, Vogue, December 1988

Hot-Pink Summer Breeze

When it comes to summer style, a carefree oversized button down is the season’s most versatile piece, even in fuschia. Wear one open over a matching bikini and a pair of paperbag shorts for a punchy monochrome beach look or for a breezy evening boat ride.

Matthew Adams Dolan oversized satin shirt

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Lisa Says Gah salmon ribbed scrunchie

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Photographed by Kourken Pakchanian, Vogue, May 1972

Waterside Whites

Channel seaside glamour with an ankle-grazing cover-up and a balconette bikini. You might be staying local for this year’s beach vacation, but a pair of block heeled sandals and a flowing hair scarf will have you feeling like you’re somewhere fresh and far-flung.

Lemlem Kelali wrap style cover up

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Peony Swiss dot stretch underwired bikini top and briefs

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Dear Frances scrunch mule in chalk

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