Sparkling Resort Looks for a Luxury Trip to the Tropics

St. Barth’s, Palm Beach, Palm Springs, Hawaii, Rio, the Maldives, Phuket, Sydney. Where are you warm-weather luxury people heading this holiday season? I’m a cold-weather person, and a forthcoming post will address the fashion needs of my tribe. But right now, lovers of the tropics are the topic.

You’ve chartered your super-yacht — or refueled the one you already own; you’ve stocked up on luxury sunscreen (we recommend La Mer); the rented villa (or your second or third home) has been tidied up and provisioned; you’ve hit Vilebrequin, La Perla, or Eres for chic swimwear, and the private jet is ready to leave its hangar. All you need now are some fun, splashy, colorful, sporty looks from the new resort collections just hitting stores now.

Sometimes called cruise, these looks are more polished and a bit heavier-weight than their spring-summer collection cousins. That makes them terrific additions to your real-life wardrobe, not just your vacation togs. Some of these collections include work clothes, but most are for play. The accessories in particular tend to be both joyful and refined, are frequently metallic (think light reflecting on water), and evoke dreams of lazing away the afternoon by the beach, or on the sea, or beside the pool. And dancing all night long.

Here’s what’s on our shopping list this resort season (we’ve got a Pinterest board with all of these ideas and more):

Sunnies are in season! Some of the best sunglasses of the year appear during cruise season. Fendi always has stand-out sunglasses – this year we also love Tom Ford and Cutler & Gross. Cat-eyed frames are still everywhere, and for us they’re cat-nip.

Break-out bags. So many choices, so little time – there’s a bag out there with your name on it somewhere. Louis Vuitton’s resort bags are always fantastic. Proenza Schouler has a great tropical print, and Bottega Veneta has a killer red tote bag. McQueen has a cool skull-and-floral shopper that Vogue describes as having “folkloric flair.” Edie Parker has rainbow colors galore, and Fendi has a floral beaded satchel that might be best-in-show. Light-weight designer backpacks are everywhere (Prada’s are indestructible), so grab one while you can — we think hands-free is a luxury we all deserve.

Jewelry. It’s impossible to go wrong here, as the best jewelry is whatever you love to wear, but here are some of our favorites: Pomellato, Isabel Marant, Larkspur & Hawk and Erickson Beamon earrings; Ippolita’s “summer rainbow” cocktail ring and rock candy earrings; Sydney Evan beaded bracelets with gold and diamond charms; and Ashley Pittman’s 9-bangle set made of gold and bamboo.

Think white and/or bright for day. It’s an eternal verity that a resort delivery will include snow white and pops of happy colors. What’s new and notable this year?

Prints have gone over the top: you can find floral prints, tropical prints, spots, stripes, checks and tartan plaid (yes, seriously, plaid in resort season, never thought we’d see that). You can also find many items that have two or more of these (tie-dye even gets thrown into the mix at Altuzarra). If texture is your thing, think Chanel’s crocheted dresses in sandy neutral colors. But we are so not in a neutral cycle: maximalists of the world, your time is now. Our top picks: Chanel tropical print dresses, Mary Katrantzou multicolored rainbow dresses; Peter Pilotto and Saint Laurent floral flutter dresses; Erdem floral print capris; Marni, Givenchy and Carolina Herrera stripes; and checked prints from Monse and Altuzarra. Lanvin’s white washed-twill maxi dress is perfect day or night; ditto Chloe’s off-the-shoulder striped mini dress. Alice & Olivia has some super-cute cotton dresses.

Chanel’s shorts and skirts are lovely. We want all of them! That’s all we have to say.

Rompers are still a thing. We can’t rock the look (our legs are too short), but if you have the build to channel your inner Taylor Swift, designer rompers are in plentiful supply – Tomas Maier nails it with a red floral print that is both sophisticated and relaxed.

Basics that aren’t boring. If you need to round out your wardrobe, or replace some old standbys, you’re in luck. The Row’s white schoolboy stretch wool-blend blazer will add both polish and warmth. If sporty is your vibe, Tory Burch should be your go-to: her refined track suits will take you practically anywhere. Things to toss in your bag without over-thinking it: Splendid cotton tanks, Frame denim, and Current/Elliott T-shirts and shirt dresses.

Shine when the stars come out. You’ll be stunning in any of these cocktail and evening dresses: Fendi’s gorgeous striped dress with flower-embroidered tulle overlay or Valentino’s “Tropical Dream” print dresses. Gucci has several lovely and breezy bohemian-chic dresses, both long and short; Erdem’s silk-organza floral print mini dress seems to be just about perfect.

You’ll definitely have happy feet. Thanks to the designers who are making elegant and chic flats, you don’t even have to be uncomfortable to look great this season.

–Slides are everywhere, in all colors (we like Miu Miu’s the best, but you have to check out Givenchy’s mink fur slide in nude pink – very Zsa-Zsa Gabor fabulous). Valentino has a new line of Rockstud ballerina flats in lace and leather versions (we want both!) Tabitha Simmons has embroidered flats that are party-ready. Rene Caovilla has crystal-embellished flat sandals perfect for a glittering night out.

–If you love high heels (and we do), check out Tom Ford’s lace-up metallic python sandals; Aquazurra’s warm-weather booties with block heels, Saint Laurents’s blush metallic Mary Janes, and Fendi’s fur-trimmed stiletto-heeled sandals.

–For city days, Louis Vuitton and Dior have razor-sharp booties that look like they were beamed in from the future.

–For sportier day looks, check out Prada’s floral platform espadrille sneakers in white with turquoise flowers; Dries van Noten’s high-top embroidered sneakers; and Saint Laurent’s star-print sneakers (which will remind people that you are, in fact, Wonder Woman).

Outerwear opportunities. Even though these are resort collections, they include some incredible “statement” coats (face it, you’ll have to return to the real world at some point). Bottega Veneta and Fendi will ease your return to the winter temperatures.

You may also need a sensational sun hat, or a great silk scarf, or clothes for the kids in your life. This may also be the perfect opportunity (excuse) to buy a new suitcase, or a new camera (remember, if you don’t post vacation pics on Instagram, it’s as if your trip never happened). Whatever’s on your list, you better hustle up. There’s a lot to see in-store and online right now, and it’ll be wheels up before you know it.

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