For anyone who has been keeping up with the current season of The White Lotus, you’ve seen plenty of caftans, sheer tops, and swimsuits on display. They’re key components of resortwear—lightweight pieces for wearing by the beach or pool. But despite its name, the best resortwear for women can also be so much more. “It’s so important that you’re filling your wardrobe with styles that you can easily transition season over season,” says Caroline Maguire, senior fashion director at Shopbop. “I’m loving the new resortwear collections I’ve been seeing that have styles that go beyond the traditional summery aesthetic.”
Many traditional luxury labels offer resortwear collections as part of their annual lineup (Valentino has made lots of appearances in The White Lotus already), but there are also brands across the globe that focus specifically on vacation-ready pieces for whatever far-flung beach you may be sipping your next mai tai on. From Scandi label OAS, which has a more relaxed vibe, to the flouncy and floral Australian brand Zimmermann, you can find something to fit your vacation aesthetic. As for Maguire, “My vacation bag always includes breezy matching separates, a retro-style two-piece swimsuit, chic sunglasses, and an oversize tote that I can carry all the necessities in.”
Read on to discover 14 brands with the best resortwear offerings to consider packing for your next getaway.
Best Casual: OAS
A current favorite of Maguire’s, OAS is a resortwear brand that started when one of the founders started bringing espadrilles home to friends who couldn’t find any in Scandinavia. The brand—which offers pieces for both men and women—is cool, comfortable, and sophisticated, a tricky combo to successfully pull off.
Best Dresses: Johanna Ortiz
Colombia-based label Johanna Ortiz is a must for light, breezy dresses and pareus to wear on the beach or for tropical weddings. Expect playful patterns with pops of color and a range of breathable materials like cotton and linen.
Coral Marino Jersey Maxi Dress
Las Islas Dress
Fermina Minidress
Best One-Stop Shop: Cult Gaia
From nature-inspired bags to sculptural shoes and woven dresses, Cult Gaia can help you pull together your glamorous vacation wardrobe from head to toe. Try styling one of the brand’s iconic clutches with a floaty dress before you enjoy a sunset margarita.
River Dress
Jojo Top-Handle Bag
Maddie Sandal
Best Classic Resortwear: Pucci
First founded in 1947, Italian label Pucci is known for its bright palette and psychedelic prints, offered in everything from swimwear to party dresses. If you want to stand out this vacation, Pucci’s graphic patterns can be spotted from a mile away.
Open-Back Silk Minidress
Onde Swimsuit
Pareo
Best Casual: Farm Rio
Brazilian label Farm Rio offers playful tropical prints in lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen. Break out a piece from this brand as you sit poolside with a caipirinha in hand.
Linen-Blend Playsuit
Cotton Midi Dress
Fringe Crochet Top
Best for a Beach Wedding: Zimmermann
Zimmermann, known for its mini hemlines, ruffle details, and colorful prints, is a popular choice for evening dressing in the tropics. The playful silhouettes are an especially great option if you’ll be attending a beach wedding in the near future. The Australian label is begging to star in your next vacation photo shoot.
Maxine Swimsuit
Wrap Minidress
Wylie Bikini
Best for Mediterranean Getaways: La DoubleJ
La DoubleJ is a ready-to-wear and home brand meant for the streets of Portofino, Italy—bold, romantic, and effortless all at once. The brand’s playfully printed designs are inspired by founder J.J. Martin’s collection of vintage clothing. For those who love color or a fun print, give it a try.
Sporty Swing Dress
Palazzo Pants
Roy Dress
Best Caftans: Emporio Sirenuse
For throw-on-and-go cover-ups when you’re heading from your room to the pool, try a loose caftan. Emporio Sirenuse draws inspiration from the Italian coast, with lightweight styles imbued with elegant details. You can even belt one and pair it with your favorite heels for dinner by the beach.
Jamila Caftan
Giada Caftan
Best for Being Out and About: Alémais
Australian label Alémais’s on-trend designs are perfect for packing on a vacation where you’ll be doing some urban exploring, visiting wine bars or local cafés. You can easily style the brand’s separates with sneakers or sandals, making them versatile options for when you need to pack light.
Best Minimalist Resort Wear: St. Agni
For those who prefer to keep their vacation color palette minimal, St. Agni offers up a range of sleek, elegant designs. Designed thoughtfully in lightweight summery materials, these silhouettes would fit right in at a design hotel in Miami or all the way in Corfu.
Cotton Crochet Dress
Slingback Thong Heel
Knit Cami Dress
Best Romantic: Posse
Inspired by both vintage silhouettes and modern femininity, Posse’s romantic styles are the sort you’ll want to pack on vacation and wear when you arrive back home. The floral-printed Lori dress can be a casual daytime option when paired with a straw hat and flat sandals, or you can add statement earrings and a pair of mesh flats for a dressier feel.
Mira Shirt
Lori Dress
Rio Short
Best for Nights Out: Sir
Australian label Sir embraces the bold Aussie spirit with energizing colors and abstract floral patterns. The pieces seem to be begging to be worn on a night out somewhere warm, so go ahead and indulge them.
Best for a High-Fashion Getaway: Jacquemus
Designer Simon Porte Jacquemus has carved out a lane all his own with his quirky, at times surreal designs, playing with proportion and silhouette in a way that feels decidedly editorial for a visit to the beach. But for those who live for a little drama, no matter where they’re currently residing, the brand’s quirky, sexy pieces will definitely do the trick.
La Pochette Clutch
Printed Knit Shorts
Chestnut Mini Dress
Best Bold Prints: Cala de la Cruz
Don’t be afraid to make a splash with your vacation wardrobe. Colombian label Cala de la Cruz embraces bold colors and oversize prints. Each piece is made locally in Cali, Colombia, by a family-owned business with over 15 years of experience in the industry, and the brand also embraces the use of sustainable and environmentally conscious fabrics.
Lore Swimsuit
Domenica Dress
Veneta Minidress
Shop more vacation-ready fashion
- 19 Raffia Tote Bags for Warm Weather Dressing
- The Best Travel Jewelry Cases That Make Organization Easy
- 9 Sandal Trends You'll See Everywhere This Season
Why trust Harper’s Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.
