Speaking to some of the Nordic's tone-setting designers, we discover how to rev-up our resort wear this summer
No region is keener on the concept of resort wear than the Nordics. While most of our year is spent covered up to combat the winter chill, we find ourselves with ample time to ponder our vacation wardrobes in minute detail.
With such focus and energy spent on dreaming of holidays to come, it is little surprise that some of our favourite Nordic designers find themselves enamoured with resort wear. The uniting factor for these brands is the elevated approach to holiday ensembles, from sheer knits layered over swimwear to silky pyjama sets. No matter if we’re bound for the archipelago or an exotic destination, local brands offer an exciting array of beach attire we’d love to wear beyond the beach. Here top designers share their best tips for elevated holiday dressing.
A large scarf offers up multiple styling options for the beach. Photo: Hanna MW and Rami Hanna for Stylein
Stylein's sheer knit skirts is a coveted cover up this summer. Photo: Hanna MW and Rami Hanna for Stylein
Look for versatility
So what is the key to designing resort wear? Versatility. According to Celine Aagaard, founder and creative director of Norwegian brand Envelope1976, your vacation wardrobe should be filled with slip-in pieces you can wear from morning to night. “Those pieces you can wear directly from the beach to the bar, with a delicate freshness, that natural look with saltwater waves, and stay effortlessly elegant on your holiday,” she says.
Elin Alemdar, the founder and creative director of Swedish Stylein, agrees. This summer, the brand’s sheer knit skirts have become one of the most coveted coverups, worn with a swimsuit for a laid-back day-to-night look. “I’m obsessed with the mesh designs for vacation and did wear them in Puglia for my Easter holiday,” says Alemdar.
Recently launched resort wear label MandiBreeze, spearheaded by founder Amanda Panahi, is all about summer dressing. “People’s happiest times,” as Panahi puts it. “When I design, it’s more than just creating garments. It’s a lifestyle I want the customer to be a part of.”
Surprising material mixes are a safe bet - here leather hot pants pair perfectly with a crocheted bikini top. Photo: Envelope1976
Fringe is a fun summer detail when considering vacation wear. Photo: Envelope1976
Choose pieces and materials that also work in the city
Envelope1976’s limited-edition resort collection this coming season includes hand-crocheted bikini tops made in the brand’s Oslo-based studio, surf knits inspired by the beachgoers by Aagaard’s summer Hytte, and flowy kaftans with matching silk trousers and eco-friendly slip-on rubber sandals. Yet, for Envelope1976, it’s crucial to create garments to be worn beyond the sand. “Most of the items are in light, delicate fabrics that are easy to wear, easy to carry with you, and can be styled in different ways. Hopefully they'll be classics in the wardrobe for years to come,” says Aagaard.
Alemdar agrees that the best vacation wear transitions into city-slick ensembles. “My best advice is to invest in linen, crisp cotton and seersucker materials,” she says. “They’re relaxed materials that will work for both a summer spent in the city and in the office.” By Malene Birger’s creative director, Maja Dixdotter, considers materials essential when choosing your summer wardrobe. “I think it’s really important to wear clothes with natural fibres that breathe when it’s warm. Silk, linen, cotton – these are qualities we always reach for in our collections, she explains. “I also believe it’s nice to wear clothes that have a loose fit when it’s warm”.
For Panahi, summer dressing is all about linen. “I love a nice linen shirt and matching trousers. It works perfectly both for day and night time,” she says. A flowy maxi dress is another must-have. “I wear maxis for daytime with flat sandals or for dinner out with some heels on,” she says. “Finally, a silk scarf to protect my hair from the sun in a chic way.”
The breezy maxi dress is the perfect base for our vacation wardrobes, worn with sandals during the day or heels at night. Photo: MandiBreeze
Swimsuits are the single most important styling tool in our vacation wardrobes, layered under silk sets, sheer knits, or with a flowy kaftan. Photo: By Malene Birger
Be more open to experimentation
Our local tastemakers also encourage us to strive beyond our comfort zones when picking a holiday wardrobe. “From the designer’s perspective, you are freer to challenge the customer a bit when it comes to new cuts, textures and even adding colours,” says Aagaard. Stylein’s Alemdar adds, “I’m all about the graphic colour scheme and monochrome styling.” Likewise, Panahi shares the playful sentiment suggesting that people play around with different materials, prints and details when dressing for vacation. “I love to keep our garments classic with a twist, such as very flared arms or frill details,” she says. “Timeless, yet fun and edgy.”
Playful silhouettes and cut-outs easily transition from the beach to the city. Photo: Hanna MW and Rami Hanna for Stylein
A silk scarf offers ample protection for our salt-water drenched summer hair.
Pack lightly
Our Scandinavian designers agree that packing light is key when packing for their summer holidays. “I normally pack light and smart by including a few key versatile pieces in my suitcase,” says Aagaard. “I always include a swimsuit for daytime swimming, or worn as a body with my hot pants after the beach and my fringe Dance kaftan in cream.” Likewise, Alemdar always brings a white crisp cotton shirt, a large cotton canvas beach bag and a sarong that can be turned into a skirt, a dress or a blanket for her kids to sit on at the beach. A packing list Dixdotter shares, saying that she always brings “a long kaftan, a swimsuit and a really big bag that fits all the things you and the kids might need at the beach” on her holidays.
The designers’ best tips are to be playful with your vacation wardrobe. “Dress up in flowy kaftans, play with fringe details, and wear your scarfs around the head as a headband or make a silk top out of it,” says Aagaard. For Dixdotter, a scarf offers multiple styling options. “I think a big scarf is great – you can wear it as a skirt, a top or in your hair,” she sats. “I love things that you can use in various ways.”