I absolutely love the styles this time of year because so many brands launch their spring and resort collections and they always get me so excited for summer and coastal living. What exactly is resort wear you may ask? Resort fashions are styles that are comfortable and casual. They are designed to be effortlessly elegant and always timeless. They are the styles that you can wear to the beach or pool and then to a casual lunch or dinner at a seafood restaurant. Some styles are neutral or monochromatic in color. Other styles are bright, colorful and bold. Fabrics usually consist of lightweight linens and 100% cottons. In a simple sense, resort wear is “vacation clothes.” Whether you are vacationing in a coastal town, heading somewhere warm for spring break, or simply live in a tropical paradise, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite resort wear brands and styles.
Top Brands for Resort Style
There are several brands that just scream resort. The most obvious is Lilly Pulitzer. If you want bright, bold, colorful and classic, Lilly Pulitzer is your go-to brand. I also really like Tuckernuck, Avara, and Duffield Lane for bright and bold styles. If you are more into a relaxed, coastal color palette that is budget friendly, then J.Crew and J.Crew Factory will be your go-to’s. For basic neutrals (linen pants, gauze button downs, linen shorts, etc. ) I would recommend Quince or Pact. No matter your personal style, there are so many fun resort collections to shop from. I rounded up 88 styles on my ShopMy page of my favorite styles that you can check out here. And if you are on a budget, I also put together a collection of styles under $100. Below I’m styling three of my favorite pieces from Duffield Lane’s resort collection*: The Cleo Dress, the Palm Tree Beach Sweater, and the Tallie T-shirt Dress in Rainbow Stripe.
*These items were gifted by Duffield Lane.
Resort Style Essentials
Now, let’s chat about specific pieces that you’ll want to pack for a warm weather or tropical vacation. p.s. these styles also are perfect for a coastal summer!
Shorts and Pants: A must have fabric for hot destinations is linen. It’s lightweight and breathable and it’s always my go-to in the summer months. I love a high waisted linen pant or short in natural, white, or ticking stipe. I got these shorts from Quince last year and wore them all summer long. They are incredibly comfortable and breathable and would be perfect for a warm weather vacation. Also from Quince are these European linen pants – these are adorable paired with a white tee or a white button down. If you like brighter options, these Lilly Pulitzer shorts are a favorite of mine (styled below).
Dresses: If you’ve followed me for awhile you will know that I’m a dress girl in the summer. I think one of life’s greatest joys is being able to throw on a simple garment like a dress and just go. They’re not fussy, you can dress them up or down, and I find them to be incredibly comfortable. And I definitely don’t discriminate between mini dresses and maxi dresses. If you like a simple, classic silhouette that is easy and breathable, this swing dress from Quince is a great option. I wore this classic Quince smocked midi dress all the time last summer. It’s so comfortable, easy, and a great price point! If you prefer something bold and flirty and fun, this Duffield Lane Midi Dress is perfect! The feather stretch cotton is glorious and so soft. Highly recommend this one! And of course a classic mini shift dress romper from Lilly Pulitzer is always a perfect option for resort style.
Beach Tunics/Cover Ups: Nothing embodies resort style like a beach tunic or coverup. I personally love a caftan and this one from Tuckernuck has been on my radar for awhile. Tuckernuck actually has some lovely coverups that transition nicely to lunch or even dinner on the beach. I have a maxi style from last year but this shorter version is adorable. If you are looking for a budget friendly beach cover up, J.Crew Factory has some amazing options. This crochet option is so chic, along with this shimmer beach dress. I also think this classic white style from Lilly Pulitzer is a great choice and anything Lilly is worth the investment!
Beach Sweaters: Oh how I love a beach sweater! A beach sweater is a must have if you are anywhere near a body of water. It’s always a little cooler near the shore and so a lightweight breathable sweater is a must. My latest obsession is this Palm Tree one from Duffield Lane. The color is so refreshing! This sailboat striped one (also from Duffield Lane) is also a classic style. And remember, J.Crew Factory always has beach sweaters that are classic, timeless, and usually very affordable.
Shoes: Nowadays there are so many stylish and comfortable sandals to wear while exploring a coastal town. J.Crew Factory tends to be my go-to, but Target also has some fun and budget friendly styles. A double strap sandal in gold like these are a good choice if you are going from the beach to dining. I’m really loving this slide sandal from Avara. The natural color will go with literally everything! If you want something really bright and fun, these jelly shoes in lavender are adorable and so stylish. I also love anything from Palm Beach Sandals (I have these rose gold ones – p.s. this brand was made famous by Jackie O!) and I wore these shell slide sandals from Oka B daily last summer. Perhaps my newest obsession though are these 100% Leather Huarache Flat from Quince that my mom got me for Christmas. I’m obsessed with these and literally cannot wait to wear them this spring and summer!
Accessories: Perhaps my favorite styles when it comes to resort wear are the accessories! We are talking big sunhats, oversized sunglasses, nautical inspired jewelry, and handbags made out of cane or rattan materials. The accessories are every coastal loving girls dream. I have an older version of this cane crossbody and I use it every day during the summer! I currently have my eyes on these shell earrings and this market tote.
I hope this post was helpful to you if you are heading somewhere warm! Or if you just love the coastal style, these brands and styles will be your new favorites! Be sure to check out my resort collection of 88 styles(!) on my ShopMy page. I also put together a budget friendly collection that you can shop here.
Be sure to keep up with all my favorite styles by following me on Instagram, LTK, and ShopMy!
Slainte,
Shannon
A Dash of Solt 