nVintage resort was oh so chic (still is) and jet setters worldwide had a separate wardrobe for their "resort season." Resort collection is considered as specialized clothing style, as well as a year-round fashion season. The original resort fashion collections grew out of the American tradition of winter holiday clothes and date back to the 1930s.nnResort Collection also known as "cruise", "pre-collection" or "pre-spring" was originally marketed by upscale stores and collections only for very affluent customers expected to spend the post-Christmas/New Year's weeks in warm-weather climates.n
From long shorts ("walking shorts"), caftans and sandals, to full-length evening dresses for women and light dinner jackets for men, resort wear is unique in its design and function as fabrics are light cottons, silk, linen, light and easy to pack. The Resort "look" is characterized by nautical & mediterranean colors, hawaiian themed prints (bright floral prints from South America, minty greens, yellows, blues and whites) light fabrics, a mix of loose and boxy silhouettes, large hats and sunglasses.
(Girls Beaching – 1950s – copyright photo: TIME)
The purchasing patterns of resort came from the super affluent jet-setting type, however, thanks to the trickle down theory and the popularity of diffusion lines, designer partnerships with affordable department stores…. the majority of Americans can enjoy the expense of resort wear. As I head off to get some sunshine during this winter/"resort season", I will happily be lounging in my Target "Resort Wear" outfits.