What is Resort Casual Wear?
If you’ve ever been on a cruise or a tropical vacation, the chances are that you’ve heard the phrase ‘resort casual wear’. It sounds like an instant oxymoron. How can resort wear be casual? Is it an odd hybrid like business casual? It’s worth considering that the rules for resort casual wear differ from one place to the next. A country club might have one rule and a spa and resort may have another set of rules.
Like most things in fashion, there are no hard and fast rules about resort casual wear. It means something different to every brand and resort destination. When most of us see a dress code, we want to put our heads in our hands. Dress codes aren’t what they used to be, which makes them all the more exciting.
You can take resort casual wear and put your own twist on it. You can incorporate more contemporary trends or stick to the classics like flowy summer dresses, walking shorts, and blouses.
At Sea Breeze of California, we specialize in resort casual wear that is proudly made in the USA. Our clothing is made using 100% cotton to give you a luxury feel and to put you in a resort mindset 365 days a year.
This guide gives you an insight into what resort casual wear is and how you can incorporate it into your daily lifestyle.
So, what is it?
Resort casual wear is what most of us would wear when we jet off on vacation. It’s become even more popular in recent years as fashion trends point towards a more laidback but elevated style. If you’re lucky enough to live in a warm climate like California, you can wear resort casual wear all year long.
Most resort casual wear is made using breathable fabrics like cotton to make them versatile for wearing when the temperatures start to rise. Resort casual wear is the clothes you would pack for a vacation to a nice beach resort during the summer. Imagine swimsuit coverups, capris, polo shirts, and boat shoes.
It’s more elevated than jeans and a t-shirt, but not as formal as business casual. The style encapsulates the idea of ‘la dolce vita’, with clothing that is stylish without compromising on comfort.
How casual is resort casual wear?
Everyone’s description of casual is different. You might think athleisure is casual, yet your friend might think jeans and a polo shirt are casual. Resort wear typically sits in the middle, giving a relaxed but elevated look. For womenswear, it’s usually loose-fitting garments that are conservative with their neckline and hem.
A good way of getting inspiration for resort wear is to look at the ‘cruise’ or ‘resort’ collections of luxury designers. Every year, we get treated to a taste of casual resort wear from brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, setting the tone for other labels to follow.
The resort wear that you’ll typically see on cruise lines is amongst the most laidback of the style. What you might wear on a cruise ship may not be appropriate for a resort on-land. Similarly, you might dress in casual resort wear at a golf club during the day, but you’ll need to change into more formal clothing in the evening.
When do I have to wear resort casual wear?
It’s easy to assume that you can wear resort casual wear for any occasion you would wear business casual. In some situations, resort wear would be too casual for a business meeting.
The rule of thumb is to always double-check what the rules are for resort casual wear at the location you’re going to. This rule is especially important if you’re heading somewhere new, especially as it's out of the country. Most venues – including cruise ships – will supply a dress code on their website with examples of what does and doesn’t meet their dress code.
You’ll typically be wearing resort casual wear during the day. At night-time, most venues swap out to ‘resort evening wear’. It’s slightly more elevated than the daytime style. You might slip into a silk blouse and a fitted pair of slacks, while men will swap their t-shirts for a collared shirt. The clothing is still casual and comfortable but with a slightly more elevated feel.