I distinctly remember watching The Parent Trap as a kid and thinking Meredith Blake was the chicest woman ever. Her blonde bob and signature red lipstick were great, but it was her pared-back color palette that made the biggest mark on me. Her black-and-white poolside outfit is, to this day, one of my favorite summer looks of all time—to the point that I'm adding more of the minimalist color combination to my warm-weather wardrobe for 2026.
I want to replicate the exact refined style I loved so much, so I decided to turn to Zara for black-and-white pieces that won't break my budget. From vacation dresses to elevated basics, the finds I spotted are the definition of "pure elegance." If you think black-and-white outfits are boring, basic, or obvious, allow me to change your mind with my curation below.
