Every year, before Spring fashions flood the stores, Resort (aka cruise) collections make their appearance. Originally marketed to affluent shoppers spending their post-Christmas/New Year's weeks in warm-weather climates, Resort collections have now become a specialized year-round clothing style and fashion season. Now more than ever Resort collections set the tone for trends to be seen in the year ahead.
Resort wear is unique in it's design and function in that it signifies relaxation, affluence, and all things associated with sun-soaked destinations. From shorts, caftans and sandals, to full-length evening dresses, Resort wear is generally made from cotton, silk, linen and straw fabrics that are easy to pack, lightweight and breathable. They consist of "nautical" styles, inspired by sailor and yachting themes, classic Hawaiian prints of palm trees and hula girls, and bright floral prints, as well as a wide range of colors from minty greens and yellows to blues and whites from the Mediterranean.
This year designers didn't skimp on the fresh ideas to take us into Spring '14. Based on the latest collections we can expect the rise of low-slung baggy trousers, graphic lace, nouveau-hippie looks and mini-skirts. Other trends making waves include nautical moments, modest cropped tops and vibrant colored suede. Here is a line-up of the most popular Resort styles for 2014.
Nautical By Nature
A nautical trend often floats through the Resort collections. This year designers put a buoyant spin on quintessential cruise motifs like sailor stripes and seaside inspired looks.
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| Chloe |
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| Valentino |
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| Louis Vuitton |
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| Marni |
Trouser Roles
Pin-thin stovepipes are officially over. In keeping with the season's focus on easy elegance, the tailored pants silhouette of the moment is low-slung and ultra-relaxed. Baggy, billowy trousers turned up in the latest lineups from Chloe, Narciso Rodiguez and Alexander Wang.
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| Chloe |
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| Rochas |
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| Narciso Rodriguez |
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| Alexander Wang |
Woven Craft
Alexander McQueen ignited a Bohemian revival of woven tunics. The theme continued with crocheted and needlepoint looks at Tory Burch, Valentino and Moschino.
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| Alexander McQueen |
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| Tory Burch |
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| Roberto Cavalli |
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| Valentino |
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| Oscar de la Rents |
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| Moschino |
Fresh Crop
Exposed midriffs have been all the rage for the past few seasons and crop tops continue to crop up left and right in the latest resort collections. Instead of more ab-flashing, it's comparatively modest, layered proposals for abbreviated shirts- spotted at Proenza Schouler, Derek Lam and Alexander McQueen- that felt the most modern.
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| Proenza Schouler |
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| Alexander McQueen |
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| Sportmax |
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| Derek Lam |
Fifty Shades of Suede
Say goodbye to safari drab. From emerald green outfits on Calvin Klein's runway to Ralph Lauren's lilac colored trench and a pair of eye-catching fuchsia hot shorts at Emilio Pucci the Resort collections were chock-full of vibrant suede pieces.
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| Alexander McQueen |
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| Emilio Pucci |
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| Calvin Klein |
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| Ralph Lauren |
Hawaiian Punch
What would resort be without tropical prints? Designers took a step above standard Hawaiian florals this season. Prada sent mashed up Polynesian prints down it's runway, while Jason Wu and Fausto Puglisi showed vivid palm trees that suggest a darker, more sophisticated vision of paradise.
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| Jason Wu |
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| Prada |
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| Fausto Puglisi |
Lovely Lace
There was no shortage of lace in the latest lineups. While many took fine filigree in a romantic direction, designers including Dior, Nina Ricci, and Burberry sharpened up the typically feminine stuff with graphic mesh insets and webbed overlays that give the fabric a new zing.
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| Christian Dior |
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| Nina Ricci |
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| Burberry Prorsum |
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| Erdem |
Wash & Wear
Steering clear of ripped and shredded novelty denim the latest lineups from labels like Altuzarra, Balmain, and Philosophy brimmed with casual, yet cultured light washed denim looks.
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| Altuzarra |
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| Balmain |
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| Jason Wu |
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| Philosophy |
Micro Wave
Crop tops weren't the only short order this season. Designers like Versace and Michael Kors put legs on display too with upper thigh grazing mini skirts that require a nice pair of stems.
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| Michael Kors |
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| Versace |
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| Emilio Pucci |
