Resort shows definitely sit lower on the scale in terms of being high profile and they tend to be over looked compared to the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter shows. It’s unfortunate because resort wear is often the most real life style inspiration and with the fast paced nature of the industry we have today, real fashionistas need trend reports more than twice per year of they want to stay at the top of their game. So, we’ve brought you the crème de la crème of the 2020 resort shows so you know exactly what to wear during the off peak season. No matter whether you’re heading to a far flung resort yourself or if you’re staying in the city, these trends will see you straight through until you get your Fall/Winter 2020 fix in September.

Chanel

Opening Look

Closing Look

Images Via : Vogue

Over at Chanel it was the first collection designed by Vivian Viard. With Chanel now carrying both the legacy of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld, Viard had big boots to fill and fill them she did. Playing it safe was a good move from Viard, pulling elements from the brand’s past as well as where she plans to take it in the future. The show was housed as it usually is, in the fabulous architecture of the Grand Palais in Paris, this time transforming the interior art nouveau building into a turn of the century train station.

Under the helm of Lagerfeld, the Chanel brand took on a harsh, edginess that reflected Karl’s aesthetic but it seems Viard wants to bring softness back into the brand, something that was definitely more present under the rule of Gabrielle. Perhaps it’s her womanly touch that has inspired Viard to bring Chanel back to its roots while still keeping the garments stitched with Lagerfeld veins. The collection truly embodied the creative vision of all three, encompassing looks that perhaps Gabrielle would have worn today as well as stiffer silhouettes that could have been designed by the late Karl himself.

The opening look was one of our favorites, featuring wide leg pants cropped at the ankle, a smocked blouse and matching blazer jacket with just a hint of a nautical theme. This put together look appeared like a derivative of the classic Chanel suit only more carefree and with a looser silhouette, ideal for travel. Of course, the opening look was monochrome, a color palette Chanel has chosen as their signature and the look was finished off with a black lip and straight, center-parted hair for that iconic polished Chanel brand vibe. If the first look was a nod to Gabrielle and what we imagine she would wear in 2020, the last look had Karl written all over it; a maxi length black halter dress with gold chain accents and an oversized starched white collar, complete with interlocking C’s detail.

Christian Dior

Images Via : Vogue

Maria Grazia Chiuri transported us to Morocco and Africa and back again with this dreamy travel inspired resort collection. Back in 1960 with Yves Saint Laurent at the reigns of Dior, he designed a coat for Marrakech and so it doesn’t come as a surprise that Chiuri wanted to expand on this heritage of Morocco as inspiration. Pulling authentic African wax prints that have in recent years become cheapened by over produced digital versions, these real deal wax prints made a huge statement ; that African textiles and prints can and do sit in the luxury market.

Chiuri stayed true to her aesthetic for Dior, choosing masculine silhouettes for her outerwear and mixing them with feminine dresses and skirts, all the while paying attention to the placement of the exquisite prints. Alongside the motifs were Murano glass beads used as appliqué and embellishment, beads that were actually originally created in Italy but quickly found their way into Africa. Every print, every embellishment, every stitch in this collection was thoroughly thought out in order to convey the story and create a cohesive narrative.

One of our favorite looks worn by model Maria Miguel featured a burnt rust long sleeve dress in a plissé fabric, maxi in length and with a ruffled, almost Edwardian style collar. Simple and chic, this dress conjured up nights spent star gazing in the desert, shopping for spices in the souks and a versatile nature that could be worn for day or night.

Another favorite look was again the opening look, featuring an ochre and cream cardigan with fringe for days, which was actually created by Moroccan women’s textile and ceramic association called Sumano, one many collaborations Chiuri embarked upon to create this strikingly authentic collection.

Louis Vuitton

Image Via : Vogue

An over arching trend of all of the resort shows seems to be a stellar opening look, even more so than usual. The opening look at Louis Vuitton was an edgy blend of sportswear meets Hollywood glamour, combining stripes and flashes of color on sleek cigarette pants, rock and roll style leather with the softness of embroidery on an ultra feminine silhouette of a cape. Perhaps even a slight subtle nod to the 80’s, harking back to aerobic wear through the pop of yellow and of course this was also emulated through the 80’s hair and extravagant makeup.  The rest of the collection also gave a nod to other eras like the 90’s through board shorts and combat boots while velvet fabrics and puffed sleeves said Elizabethan. It was refreshing to see all of these trends converge into one, showing that in 2019, trends are not only fluid but fickle too. The moral of the story? You can be who ever you want to be, in whatever decade you want to be in.