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By now a majority of the major designers have presented their Resort 14 collections, and though shows will continue to roll out through the fall, some clear trends have already emerged. Though resort is kind of a funny season—it was invented so that rich people would have something springy to wear while on winter cruises (see here for our lengthy explanation of what resort is and why it exists)—one of the great things about it is that it tends to be the most accessible of all the seasons with stapels like easy trousers, striped shirts, and a clean palette.
Nowadays designers tend to break out of the traditional resort mode, but the results are still more wearable than, say, fur boxing gloves. Here, we present the five most wearable trends from resort 14 so far. Enjoy.
Mandals: The mandal—the flat, sensible, slightly mannish slip-on believed to be an evolutionary descendent of the "Jesus sandal"—have taken resort 2014 runways. Mark Holgate's review of Marc Jacobs resort 2014 on the Vogue.com indicates only slight shame: "This must rank as a first for Vogue.com: the inclusion of the word mandal in a review." But with a look so pervasive, it was time it got its own moniker. See more examples above.
Pictured above: Christopher Kane, DKNY, Jason Wu, Tibi, and Proenza Schouler
Black and White: Black and white is possibly the most tried and true combo known to (wo)man, but for the warmer months, the bold look was once a rarity. No longer. For resort 2014, brands from Chloé to Tibi coupled the B&W trend with textured patterns like 3-D florals and graffiti-esque paint splatter. Others, like Alice + Olivia and Derek Lam, opted for a simpler take, focusing on asymmetric details.
Lace: Skin has been in for a few seasons now, with cut outs and crop tops making their way to the forefront since spring 2012. But many designers are re-imaging a "classier" way of becoming a walking peek-a-boo game: Namely by creating a lacy, sheer garment in modest silhouettes. Harper's Bazaar notes that "longer lengths and higher necklines" separate designer wears from your average Urban Outfitters frock, and as T Magazine points out, combining lace with more masculine shapes updates the time-tested fabric. Take a look at how the less-than-frilly lace look holds up on dresses. (Pretty well.)
Snake Print: T Magazine notes the sneaky way python prints have made their way from high-heeled elegance to the "humble sweatshirt and unpretentious bomber." Still, designers like Reed Krakoff and Lanvin took a more classic approach, creating mix-and-match separates. Diane Von Furstenberg chose to use the print in head to toe python ensembles, while Stella McCartney really committed with a yellow python print for the majority of her collection.
Pictured above: Donna Karan, Narciso Rodriguez, Chanel, J Mendel, and Thakoon
Stripes on Stripes on Stripes: Jailhouse-style, nautical-themed, vertical, and angled, stripes are giving it their all this resort season. J. Mendel plays with different angles and silhouettes, while Chanel sticks with a simple and classic look as its wont to do. Other designers, including A.L.C., Thakoon, and Narciso Rodriguez, also bring on the contrasting verticals. If that's all too plain and simple for you, take a look at the designers combining stripes with florals.
· Fashion's 'Resort' Season: What Is It, And Why Does it Exist? [Racked]
· Vogue Grudgingly Embraces the Word 'Mandal' [Racked]
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