9 Standout Trends from the Resort 2016 Collections

For many designers and retailers, the off-season collections are the most important. While resort and pre-fall don't get anywhere near the same media attention as their fall/winter and spring/summer counterparts — largely because they don't have dedicated fashion weeks — they stay on the shelves the longest, drawing the lion's share of some stores's annual budgets. It's little wonder that some of fashion's biggest brands are also dedicating the bulk of their show budgets to resort and pre-fall with opulent destination shows.

Over the past seven weeks, designers in New York, London, Paris and Milan took the wraps off their resort 2016 collections, which will hit stores in November — a time when shoppers are looking for holiday clothes and, a little later on, a new look for the new year. Resort is not often a season for new trends: While the collections generally exude a holiday vibe, they also tend to be slightly more subdued and simpler than their fall and spring counterparts, with fewer theatrics, though no less craft.

These are the trends to watch for.

Baby Got Back

Aesthetically speaking, the back of a garment is often overlooked. But not this season. Cape backs abound on dresses, jackets, blouses, even parkas.

Bell Curve

The bell shape harkens all the way back to the fluid silhouettes of the '20s and '30s, though there's nothing retro about how designers like Calvin Klein, Thakoon or Suno are utilizing it this season. They're keeping it slim with body-hugging tunics and skirts flared flirtatiously at the hem.

Black and White

For many designers, resort is a time to get back to basics. Several collections this season featured black-and-white palettes almost exclusively.

Smart Bomb

Adding a bomber jacket to any outfit ups the "cool" factor almost immediately, but why not take it a little further? Whether through lace, knits or embroidered, these jackets are bound to turn a few heads.

Two-Toned Coats

A subtle nod to color-blocking, two-toned coats won't be hard to come by this November.

Embroidered Flowers

It's hard to imagine resort without flowers, and don't worry, they were everywhere. Our favorite renditions were embroidered selectively on garments and with lots of color.

Sour Kraut

Something distinctly experimental, minimal and German-influenced came to mind when looking at collections from MM6, Alexander Wang and Costume National. This girl looks like she listens to a lot of krautrock, and probably attended art school in the '80s. Whoever she is, we don't want to mess with her. But we do want to dress like her.

The Leather Dress

Once again, leather dresses will be everywhere come November. And we promise that dressing in head-to-toe in leather will look as cool as it sounds.

Mod

An off-shoot of the ever-popular white polo necks of fall 2015, it's inevitable that the mid-season collections, known for being a bit more conservative and dressed down, run with it right into the '60s. There's something to be said for a little simplicity.

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