Relax, Darling. It’s Resort Time!

Fashion TrendsTags: Bottega Veneta, chanel, Rachel Zoe, Resort

Ahhh, those nefarious “Resort” collections.  What exactly does that mean, anyway?  I’m certainly not jetting off to the south of France this summer.  Oh, what?  It’s actually time for Resort 2012 collections?  Hmm…I guess there’s still time to book that January trip to Cabo, right?

Ha.  I wish.  Actually, Resort wear today isn’t the stuffy cruise clothes of old.  Although less famous than their Spring and Fall counterparts, today’s Resort often influences year-round fashion, with designers as diverse as Banana Republic and Bottega Veneta showing collections.  This year’s crop of Resort shows is just getting underway, but here’s the good stuff so far…Love the sleeves, love the front detail, love the color, love the collar, love the length, love the shoes.  Love, love, love it!  Bottega Veneta‘s show was soft and inviting, not two words always associated with this venerable luxury label currently helmed by Tomas Maier.  Much of the looks were like this dress: structured but seemingly effortless to wear, with a sense of playfulness that says, “I love fashion, but I don’t take it too seriously.”  I would, er, love to see a dress like this go downmarket for summer.

First, can I just say how amazingly awesome it was to see Kristen McMenamy walking the runway at Chanel?  For just a few seconds it felt like some of the other “Supers” might follow suit and show all these waifs how a real model does it.  I don’t even want to think about the fact that McMenamy is 46 (46!) because she still looks like she’s in her late 20s.  Whatever her secret is, I want it.  And how great is this poolside ensemble?  A little bit 30′s Hollywood glamour goes a long way in this age of string bikinis and spray tans.  The two-tones, asymmetrical cover-up is sheer (literally) genius as only Karl Lagerfeld can create.  I want.

Before I read any of the descriptions about Oscar de la Renta‘s show I was immediately thinking “Picasso.”  This patchwork dress shouldn’t work, but it does.  It’s restrained enough to fit in at the country club, yet flashy enough to turn heads at any art gallery opening.  I love the use of red and turquoise, an unexpected color combination on a dress, but a classic color combo for summer jewelry; think coral necklaces.  Again we see strappy multi-hued pumps as the accessory of choice.  That’s one trend that’s emerging from nearly every show.

Without settling too far onto the psychiatrists couch, I think it’s interesting contrasting the differences between male and female clothing designers.  Men design clothes they think women want to wear; women design the clothes that they would want to wear.  Which is probably why you already recognize the designer of this ensemble, one Rachel Zoe.  Heck, even the model looks like her!  I love the 70′s vibe to this suit, but the color is what really makes it stand out.  Women’s suits are too often nothing but boring, boxy affairs, so this is a refreshing change.  Wearing it would be like having a staycation at your desk!