Resortwear may be meant for warm weather and vacations, but, as proven by this years' collections, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be elegant and innovative. From Chanel’s grungy take on Marie Antoinette to Missoni’s pottery-inspired separates, the Resort 2013 collections were fabulous and fun.

For Chanel’s Resort 2013 show, models in candy-colored wigs and pastel platform sneakers strolled through the Gardens of Versaille while speakers pumped M.I.A. Karl Lagerfeld combined period costumes and grunge for a decadent collection Lagerfeld himself described as “serious frivolity.” And frivolous it certainly was, with embellished boucle jackets, cropped trousers, full skirts, and petticoat-like ruffles. The collection was kept firmly in the present, however, with downtown-chic crossbody bags and ultra-short hemlines. The icing on the cake was the models’ beauty marks – tiny velvet double-C Chanel logos.

Erdem’s Resort collection mixed texture and print with the label’s signature sharp silhouettes. Designer Erdem Moralioglu told Women’s Wear Daily that the collection was “’Valley of the Dolls’ meets Upper East Side meets Amish”, with eye-popping prints, plaids and florals in sweet shades of purple, and blue and pink that extended as far as the models’ shoes. Slick 60’s silhouettes and granny-chic blouses made for a modern, modest take on head-turning style.

In another interpretation of elegance, Oscar de la Renta brought youthful whimsy to the brand’s expected luxury with a delightful mashup of casual and elegant, seen clearly in the combination of a sequined baseball tee and green and white plaid tea-length skirt. Perfectly on-trend peplums and floral prints abounded as well, bringing sophistication to the gingham skirts and ruffled sundresses. The show closed with a number of long evening dresses, rendered in flowy fabrics and summer prints. Perfect for young and old, day and night, the collection brought color and fun to grown-up elegance.

Missoni took on prints as well, opting for abstract brushstrokes inspired by British pottery and Chinese porcelain. The fresh, feminine collection was full of dainty dresses with defined waists and cotton jackets, both cropped and long. Naturally, the collection incorporated Missoni’s signature colorful knits in sleeveless maxi dress and mini dress styles. The sinuous patterns provided a fresh, modern update to minimal silhouettes.

 

-Reach Staff Reporter Chloe Lauter here or follow her on Twitter.