Your Guide to Capturing the Glamour of Palm Royale Outfits

The world of high society, with its scandalous secrets and opulent lifestyles, has found its latest, most vibrant expression in the hit series Palm Royale. While the drama is captivating, it’s the show-stopping fashion that has truly stolen the scene. The incredible Palm Royale outfits serve as a sun-drenched love letter to 1969 Palm Beach, a world dripping in saturated color, bold prints, and unapologetic glamour. From Maxine Simmons’ ambitious social-climbing ensembles to the established elegance of the high-society doyennes, the show is a masterclass in late-60s resort wear. This guide will decode the essential elements of this aesthetic and show you how to channel that retro-chic vibe into your own modern wardrobe.

The Fashion Philosophy of Palm Beach, 1969

To truly appreciate the Palm Royale outfits, you have to understand the world they inhabit. The year 1969 was a period of significant social and sartorial change. The counter-culture movement was in full swing, but the wealthy enclaves of places like Palm Beach were a world apart. Here, fashion was less about rebellion and more about status, leisure, and a very specific brand of polished, preppy glamour.

The show’s costume designer, Alix Friedberg, brilliantly captures this specific moment in time. The aesthetic is a bridge between the structured elegance of the early 60s and the burgeoning freedom of the 70s. Think less Woodstock and more exclusive country club.

Key characteristics of this style include:

• A Riot of Color: The color palette is the star of the show. Saturated shades of lemon yellow, kelly green, flamingo pink, and turquoise blue dominate every scene.
• Bold Prints: From swirling Pucci-esque psychedelics to classic florals and geometric patterns, prints are used with fearless confidence.
• Accessorizing to the Max: More is more. Outfits are completed with oversized sunglasses, statement jewelry, silk headscarves, and perfectly coordinated handbags and shoes.
• Impeccable Grooming: The look is always polished. Hair is coiffed into bouffants and elaborate updos, and makeup is flawless.

Deconstructing the Key Characters’ Styles

Each character in Palm Royale uses their wardrobe to communicate their status, personality, and ambitions. Let’s break down the signature styles of the show’s leading ladies.

Maxine Simmons: The Ambitious Outsider

Played by Kristen Wiig, Maxine is trying to break into a world she doesn’t belong to. Her outfits are her armor and her ticket in.

• The Look: Maxine’s style is a slightly-too-eager interpretation of high-society fashion. She embraces the brightest colors and boldest prints, often in the form of vibrant culotte sets, patterned mini-dresses, and her signature statement coats. Her looks are aspirational, meticulously planned, and just a touch too loud, reflecting her desperate desire to be seen.
• Signature Piece: The matching two-piece set, often in a vivid geometric print or a cheerful pastel.

Evelyn Rollins: The Reigning Queen Bee

Allison Janney’s character, Evelyn, is at the top of the social ladder and her wardrobe reflects it.

• The Look: Evelyn’s style is pure, old-money elegance. She favors structured silhouettes, expensive fabrics, and a slightly more conservative (yet still colorful) palette. Her outfits consist of beautifully tailored skirt suits, elegant sheaths, and glamorous evening gowns, often accessorized with heirloom jewels and custom hats. Her style is effortless and assured.
• Signature Piece: The perfectly tailored caftan, worn for poolside lounging with an air of untouchable authority.

Dinah Donahue: The Modern Trophy Wife

Leslie Bibb portrays Dinah, the younger, more modern face of Palm Beach society.

• The Look: Dinah’s style is sleeker and slightly more daring. She embraces the shorter hemlines of the late 60s, favoring mini dresses, chic tennis whites, and stylish hostess pajamas for entertaining. Her prints are often graphic and Pucci-inspired, and her silhouettes are cleaner, hinting at the emerging fashions of the 1970s.
• Signature Piece: The printed silk hostess pajamas, perfect for sipping cocktails at a glamorous dinner party.

How to Build Your Own Palm Royale-Inspired Wardrobe

You don’t need a Palm Beach mansion to incorporate this fabulous aesthetic into your life. The key is to focus on specific pieces and styling principles that capture the show’s spirit.

1. Embrace Color and Print Fearlessly

This is the most important rule. To channel the Palm Royale outfits, you must be willing to step away from a neutral palette.

• Start Small: If you’re color-shy, begin with a single statement piece, like a bright pink blouse or a pair of kelly green trousers. Pair it with white or denim to let it pop.
• Go Bold: For the full effect, try a color-blocked look or a head-to-toe printed ensemble. A matching top and pants set in a bold floral or geometric print is peak Palm Beach chic.

2. The Shift Dress and the Mini Dress

The shift dress was a workhorse of the 1960s. Its simple, A-line silhouette is the perfect canvas for a bold print or a vibrant color.

• Styling: Pair a brightly colored shift dress with low block heels or elegant flats. Add a coordinating headband and oversized white sunglasses for an instant retro vibe.
• The Mini: For a more youthful, Dinah-inspired look, opt for a mini dress with a clean, A-line cut.

3. The Chic Two-Piece Set

Matching sets, whether they are culottes and a shell top or a skirt and jacket, are central to the Palm Royale look.

• The Culotte Set: This is Maxine’s signature. A pair of wide-leg culottes with a matching sleeveless top is comfortable, stylish, and perfect for a warm-weather event.
• The Skirt Suit: For a more formal, Evelyn-esque take, a tailored skirt suit in a pastel color like mint green or baby blue is incredibly sophisticated.

4. The Glamorous Caftan

The caftan is the ultimate symbol of leisurely, resort-style elegance. It’s the perfect piece for a vacation, a poolside party, or even for lounging stylishly at home.

• Styling: Look for caftans in luxurious silk or lightweight cotton with elaborate prints or embroidery. Pair them with metallic sandals and large statement earrings.

5. Wide-Leg Trousers and Hostess Pajamas

As the 60s moved into the 70s, pants became more acceptable for evening wear.

• Wide-Leg Pants: A pair of high-waisted, flowy wide-leg pants in a bright color creates a dramatic and elegant silhouette. Tuck in a simple silk shell top to complete the look.
• Hostess Pajamas: These consist of wide-leg palazzo pants paired with a matching long tunic top, often in a luxurious silk print. It’s an incredibly chic and comfortable alternative to a cocktail dress.

Accessorizing Like a Palm Beach Socialite

Accessories are not an afterthought in Palm Royale outfits; they are an essential part of the uniform.

Headwear

• Silk Headscarves: Tied under the chin (à la Jackie Kennedy) or used as a headband, a printed silk scarf is a must-have.
• Headbands: Thick, padded headbands add a youthful, preppy touch.
• Statement Hats: For outdoor events, a wide-brimmed straw hat or a more structured, custom-made hat completes the look.

Jewelry

• Go Big: This is not the time for delicate, minimalist jewelry. Think large, colorful beaded necklaces, oversized button or drop earrings, and chunky cocktail rings.
• Materials: Plastic, resin, and enamel jewelry were very popular and add to the playful, colorful vibe.

Eyewear

• Oversized Sunglasses: Large, round, or square-framed sunglasses are essential. White frames were particularly popular and provide a stark, graphic contrast.

Bags and Shoes

• Coordination is Key: Handbags and shoes were often perfectly matched to the outfit.
• Handbags: Look for structured top-handle bags, woven straw totes, and small, elegant evening clutches.
• Footwear: Low block heels, elegant pointed-toe flats (often with a decorative buckle), and stylish sandals were the go-to choices.

Bringing the Look into the 21st Century

While a head-to-toe 1969 look might feel like a costume, you can easily modernize these elements.

• Mix and Match: Instead of a full printed set, pair a printed blouse with modern white jeans.
• Ground with Neutrals: Wear a brightly colored shift dress, but pair it with contemporary nude heels and a simple handbag.
• Modernize the Silhouette: Take the color palette of Palm Royale but apply it to modern silhouettes, like a bright pink power suit or a kelly green slip dress.
• Focus on One Statement: Let a single piece be the star. Wear a simple black dress but add a vibrant, Palm Royale-inspired statement coat over the top.

Conclusion:

The fashion of Palm Royale is a joyful, optimistic, and glamorous escape. It reminds us that style can be fun, bold, and a powerful form of self-expression. By embracing vibrant colors, daring prints, and the art of accessorizing, you can capture a piece of that sun-soaked, high-society magic. You don’t need to be scheming your way into an exclusive club; you just need the confidence to wear a little more color, stand a little taller, and treat every day as an occasion worth dressing up for.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)