Last Resort
Think only old money types can get use out of resort wear? Think again. Although the season, also called cruise wear, started to provide the monied with a complete post-holidays vacation wardrobe, it has evolved into something much more universal and seasonless.
“What resort does for most people is it gives things vibrancy,” said Todd Hanshaw, divisional merchandise manager for Wynn Las Vegas. “It’s the hope that there’s pool time in the future.”
The light, colorful tone of resort wear injects life during the cold, dark months of December and January when shoppers have grown weary of heavy, brooding fall gear. This season, resort gets even more love than usual since it comes when the most dismal shade on the color wheel, gray, has dominated fashion.
Color bursts make up just one component of resort’s eye-catching tone. Designers often use this collection as a means to run free with creative concepts that might be considered too risky for fall or spring. The results turn up a plethora of unforgettable statement pieces. “I first saw Azzedine Alaia’s collection six months ago and it’s still stuck in my mind,” said Hanshaw of the designer from whom Wynn has ordered an early resort delivery.
Other designers leaving lasting impressions include Badgley Mischka who favored polka-dots, stripes, reflective embellishments and white gold metallics. Prada showed a liking for ultra-low slung A-line skirts. Chloë concocted a pair of sheeny, super-slouchy pants. Yves St. Laurent splattered skirts, dresses and jackets with paint dribbles. And Dior’s John Galliano relied on old pictures of Jackie Onassis during holidays overseas to inspire his entire collection.
Aside from the endless surprises that abound with resort, anyone can find it über-convenient. Clothes intended for a glamorous resort or swanky cruise ship ironically manage to maintain their freshness after several hours in a suitcase. Comfortable fabrics (organic cotton, jersey knits) repel wrinkles and one-piece garments (dresses, jumpers, sarongs and tunics) simplify dressing. For the time-pressed, resort wear comes as a saving grace — French Riviera vacation or not.
Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0477.