The only resort

Manpriya Singh

An invite restricting the dress code to ‘resort wear’ is likely to cause some disquiet. Did a volley of questions shuttle past the mind much before the idea of a breezy summer ahead? Queries directedz at shorts, sandals, loafers. So, do they fit in?

Well, picture a rich city girl at large in Costa Rica. Back to resort wear, is it an outfit for the pool or is it supposed to be casual or formal? Then, the effort to fit beachwear amidst all of it. “It has come to signify a multi-functional, cross-cultural style that is about relaxation, affluence and glam quotient. From walking shorts, full-length kaftans, flowy dresses for women to linen pants and light dinner jackets for men, resort wear is everywhere,” Sanya Dhir, creative director, Diva'ni shares why the category has swept the market in the recent past. And how it’s a segment in its own right. Diva’ni essentially a couture label introduced resort wear with a twist. “Embroideries, tassels and shimmer define Diva'ni's resort this season. With hand-crafted bikinis and capes that use real embroidery elements and techniques of zardozi, this resort can easily be taken forward to a destination wedding, giving resort wear a new dimension to grow.”

A valid reason

Is it any wonder that a clothing segment starting with the likes of Dior has found its way to GAP? It is not just the ever increasing travellers or spectacular resort destinations of travel capitals of the world that’s fuelling the growth for the segment.

“A wedding lasts to five functions whereas a honeymoon lasts for ten days. What a new bride wants as part of her trousseau is resort wear that is relaxed yet glam,”

Ujjwal Kaur, Chandigarh-based designer, explains the reason for couture labels jumping in.

Get it spot on

It may offend a few but ubiquitous jeans and t-shirts (they are casual and not resort) and anything tight fitting is not considered appropriate. While some things are the core of resort wear (knee-length flowy dresses), others can be happily passed off for resort wear.

• Accessories such as huge beach totes, peep-toed wedges, bandeau maxi dress, knee-length shift dresses, play suits are so resort wear. 
• Straw accessories such as straw bags and straw hats perfectly complement resort wear. If it doesn’t, it’s time to think. 
• Sarongs (tied whichever way), bathing suits are best reserved for a day at the beach or by the poolside.  
• Evenings call for more formal attire, solid colours rather than playful prints.  

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