It’s unanimous; boldness dominated Resort 2013 collections in the form of extreme silhouettes, stripes, and florals—and we like what we see. The in-between season offerings give designers an opportunity to reach a broader range of consumers, incorporating wearable trends that appeal to those seeking the perfect vacation wardrobe as well as the rest of us those forgoing exotic destinations to afford said ready-to-wear. (We’ll have our Resort right here at home, thank you.) The trends abound from oversized ensemble to lively prints and among the looks we are dying to make our own, there were also a few encore appearances by styles that aren’t going anywhere.
Short Story
There was no “shortage” of sky-high hemlines in Resort 2013. Rompers, minis, and short suits all reached thigh-grazing heights to accentuate long-stemmed figures and the inevitable sun-kissed glow of holiday tans. Jason Wu’s matching sleeveless top and shorts of hand-loomed guipure lace make for a dainty pair with a sweet hemline cut to the pattern of the lace. Donna Karen styles her edgy leather pairs with colorblocked silk tops and opaque tights for DKNY’s not-so-sweet vibe. Jill Stuart’s feminine short suit is equally ideal for a garden tea party or a fashionable night out. Embroidered silk shorts paired with a cream blazer over a collared floral print top are just the right combination of business and pleasure.
All Dressed Up
The nonchalant look of skirts over pants made a bold statement on the Fall 2012 runways—the majority in the form of A-line, midi-length skirts over narrow-legged pants. Resort 2013 continues to embrace the trend; this time amping up the volume. Perhaps creating the most buzz was 10 Crosby Derek Lam’s floral printed dress over matching wide-legged pajama pants. The combination of skirt-over-pants and Lam’s signature pajama pants definitely works—as long as you’re 5’11” or above! Besides being juicy enough to eat, the Chris Benz Resort collection was made for exactly that. His tropical floral prints set a retro, beach vacation vibe; his version of the trend pairs a billowing shirtdress, cinched at the waist, with cropped skinny pants. Marc Jacobs has shocked and awed with his newest collection, inspired by photographer Cindy Sherman’s clown portraits. The unlikely inspiration yielded oversized proportions and a mix of boisterous prints. “Deli carnations” dominated the layered looks, diffusing into sporadic bouquets as if the print were being viewed through a slowly widening lens.
Beaucoup Bouquet
If it wasn’t already apparent in the above looks, romantic floral prints appeared across the design board this season. From sweet and whimsical to bold and playful, designers took blooming liberties with their original prints. Philip Lim coined the term “Flutility” to describe his urban, petal-infused 3.1 Philip Lim collection. With appliqué raffia blossoms he femmed-up tailored khaki pants and Mandarin-esque collared shirts. Gucci reinterpreted their signature Flora print from an archived scarf made for Grace Kelly circa the 1950s. The ascending print takes full bloom on blousy, retro silhouettes. Dubbed “wallpaper florals,” Stella McCartney’s prints had a distinctly more saturated feel. Rich pink, gold, and green composed the woven floral jacquards against a crisp white background as seen in this belted sleeveless dress and blazer ensemble.
Star-Worthy Stripes
Scott Sternberg’s Boy by Band of Outsiders collection boasts a very literal theme of “boats and stripes” which he believes is the essence of the Resort season. Bright primary colors command attention in a striped skirt and hooded anorak look that practically shouts, “I’d rather be sailing.” The Suno collection marries multiple prints of the stripe and floral variety, along with a range of characteristics from boyish to flirty. This diverse mash up results in a collection that is the epitome of resort: comfortable and easy. Stripes take on a decidedly sweet persona despite the sporty color scheme in Suno’s swingy mini-dress. Youthful Italian brand MSGM goes bold with the highly defined shapes seen in silhouettes and graphic prints alike. Pairing stripes, checks, and florals with stark contrasts of black, white, and yellow—the collection reminds us of a modern day Blossom!
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