Resort Report

And Why Resort Collections Matter

Resort is a unique season. In the old days, Resort was a small capsule collection, strictly for clothes to take on a winter, warm-weather getaway. Over the years, it has evolved into the largest season of the year, which is in stores for the longest time. Typically, Resort lands in stores in November, providing fresh merchandise for holiday shopping, and remains on the selling floor until spring. This explains the schizophrenic nature of resort. There may be summery things and fur chubbies (see Nili Lotan). It's not full-out fall, and it's not spring; it’s more seasonless, with a bit of both spring and fall, which is practical given the crazy weather we have and the diverse range of climates.

What I find particularly appealing about Resort and Pre-Fall, for that matter, is without the pressure of a big show to stir up press, likes, and the lot (though some of the biggies do present big splashy resort shows), designers concentrate on clothes that normal customers will buy and wear in real life. With the longest selling season, brands know this is the season to make bank.

I’ve looked at the Resort collections that have trickled out so far, and I’m happy to report there are plenty of wearable clothes and fresh ideas to take inspiration from right now. Here are three under-reported collections I find interesting and the non-trendy trends I see.