SS26 is Putting
Resort Fashion in
Sunny Sets
The Vibrant Escape trend makes every day feel like a vacation.
Think of the Vibrant Escape trend as a vacation moodboard brought to life. Where typical summer style relies on the simple — light fabrics, throw-on-and-go pieces — this key seasonal narrative from the SS26 Women’s Young Contemporary & Contemporary Women's Buyer’s Guides goes beyond clothing to deliver feelings of spontaneity, optimism, and fun. It captures the emotional resonance of travel and leisure, bringing getaway style to everyday moments.
“Vibrant Escape isn’t just about being seasonal — it’s about being memorable,” says Pranathi Boorlagadda, business development associate at America & Beyond. “Each piece should feel like a keepsake from a beautiful moment, crafted to capture attention and emotion alike. Buyers should approach this trend with intentionality, curating an assortment that evokes the warmth, color, and spirit of the holiday. Look for items that spark conversations, inspire self-expression, and allow customers to truly see themselves in the product.” Here, elongated shorts bridge the gap between casual comfort and elevated dressing; knit summer maxis in vibrant colors (think saffron, tomato red, or cobalt blue) offer a relaxed elegance; and handbags and footwear with global-inspired detailing and handcrafted elements anchor the look in authenticity.
Styling for this trend is done with intention. “It’s all about joy through color, contrast, and curated movement,” says the stylist of this photoshoot, Vanessa Powell, who notes its popularity is driven by consumers’ desire to have fun with fashion. “It’s confident, colorful, carefree, and made for people who dress like every day could be a spontaneous adventure.” Put simply, shoppers don’t just want to buy and wear clothes. They want to curate a mood.
At the Las Vegas edition of MAGIC, brands showcased a selection of pieces that channel the optimism of vacation fashion. Here’s how the SS26 trend comes to life with styled looks that put that getaway mindset into focus.
Published October 2025
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Soft resort tailoring captures the refined side of the Vibrant Escape trend. As Powell describes, “It’s linen
suiting with graphic tees, structured shorts with polished sandals, or sleek trousers in bold, playful hues;” pieces that are directional
yet seasonless, elevated but accessible. FRNCH underscores this fluidity: “Think beyond beach dresses and offer prints in less expected styles, like patterned blazers or wide-leg trousers,” says Manny Cabrera, its brand manager, of building a relevant assortment. The focus is on polish over rusticity. “Stay away from anything that feels too rugged,” says Seychelles project coordinator Natalie Santana, “and look for items that have a more city element.” Buyers should highlight pieces versatile enough to work for “both a beach walk and a dinner date,” Powell adds. “From boardroom to boarding pass, your edit should say, ‘I’m booked all day, but free for lunch.’”
Tourist Energy
Key styles should evoke a strong sense of wanderlust. “Introduce accessories like scarves and caps to give a subtle vacation vibe without being too literal,” says Cabrera. “They’re accessible price points, easy to merchandise, and instantly give that playful resort vibe.” The former, which can be shown multiple ways — loosely tied over the head, secured on the handle of a bag, or around the waist as a makeshift belt — “feels plucked straight from an Italian film,” Powell adds.
The Jet Set
Instead of overly tight silhouettes or rigid tailoring, buyers should consider flow in both fabric and shape. “Think: breezy cottons, viscose, gauze, and linen blends that feel fluid and tactile and offer movement,” Powell notes. Daphne Ramos, senior marketing analyst at Dress To adds: “Buyers should avoid muted colors or heavy styles that take away the light, vibrant feeling of the trend.”
SS26 WOMEN'S YOUNG CONTEMPORARY BUYER'S GUIDE
Discover key women's young contemporary trends, products, and brands to shop at MAGIC in our exclusive SS26 Buyer's Guide.
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SS26 WOMEN'S CONTEMPORARY BUYER'S GUIDE
Discover key women's contemporary trends, products, and brands to shop at MAGIC in our exclusive SS26 Buyer's Guide.
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Focus
It is possible to skip the “overtly literal pineapple prints and straw fedoras,” says Powell, and still offer a selection that allows quick assimilation into La Dolce Vita. For ready-to-wear, the SS26 Women’s Young Contemporary Buyer’s Guide references “a happy mix of stripes and souvenir graphics that exude summer nostalgia.” Those can come in the shape of “cotton poplin tops, breezy boxer shorts, vintage tanks,
and open button-down shirts (that can be tossed on with artful effortlessness),” says Powell. “Anything made for all-day adventure.” To offer customers true “tourist energy, but make it chic,” as Powell calls the look, buyers should build out a wide assortment of accessories as a more accessible entry point. “In many ways, accessories are the gateway to Vibrant Escape,” says Boorlagadda. “They’re wearable joy in its purest form and let customers express individuality, brighten simple outfits, and carry a sense of adventure with every step.”
For jewelry, playful necklaces, from Gemelli’s multi-charm scarf styles, with their bold prints and whimsical accents, to shell chokers that, as Powell says, look like “they were thrifted in a sleepy Mediterranean port,” feel as much like statement-makers as they do souvenirs. Monique Rivera, VP of Design, Dolce Vita, also cites specifics like “chunky, colorful resin hoops, stacked beads, and molten gold.” Bags, from a canvas tote to “woven and raffia bags with pearls or shells,” as Rivera suggests, complete the look, offering consumers the whole feeling of being on vacation, whether on a trip or not.
“It's important to position accessories not just as add-ons,” Boorlagadda continues. “They are conversation starters, memory keepers, and the simplest way to bring joy into everyday life. A single piece has the power to transport you: a beaded shoulder bag that feels at home on the streets of Marrakech, or an embroidered tote that instantly evokes the spirit of a tropical fiesta.”
If Tourist Energy is about approachable, everyday escapism, The Jet Set embodies hyper-glam retro Riviera dressing designed to make an impact. This look “feels pulled from a high-fashion campaign celebrating maximalism,” says Powell, noting “lush prints, bold silhouettes, bright colors, and artsy jewelry — all with a hint of glam — are central to attracting fashion-forward consumers.” That includes flowing slip dresses (which the SS26 Women’s Young Contemporary Buyer’s Guide calls a trend staple) in shiny silks, kitschy co-ords in punchy tones
that work from day to night, and footwear that ties an outfit together, from statement sandals with
architectural heels to jute wedges and dainty kitten heels.
Though summer style is inherently vibrant, what sets this trend apart is its emotional pull. “It’s not just beachwear — it’s about luxury resort living anywhere, mixing glamour with ease,” says Rivera. Creating an aspirational but wearable assortment comes down to items that don’t just look good but tell a story. Cabrera notes: “Pieces should connect visually so the assortment tells a clear picture in-store.”
Matching Set by ASTRID; Jewelry by yochi; Shoes by dolce vita; Bag by AMERICA & BEYOND
Matching Set by En saison; Shoes by steve madden; Phone Charms by gemelli; Bag by america & Beyond
Tank by Emory park; Skirt by jacquie the label; Shoes by SEYCHELLES; Head Scart by frnch; Bag Scarf by GEMELLI; Bag by america & Beyond; Beaded Necklaces and Rings by simply jewels
LEFT: Shirt by the nu vintage; Shorts by peach love california; Shoes by STEVE MADDEN; Bag & Bag Charms by america & beyond; Yellow Necklace & Anklets by EMORY PARK; Fish Necklace by Simply jewels. MIDDLE + RIGHT: Top & Skirt by jacquie the label; Shoes by blowfish malibu; Rings by Simply jewels; Sunglasses by kNotwtr
Matching Set by show me your mumu; Shoes by dolce vita; Earrings by gemelli; Necklace by yochi
Dress by astr the label; Earrings by linny Co.; Bag by sereYa
Top by Rosie posie; Pants by dress to; Shoes by dolce vita; Earrings by america & Beyond; Bag by bellini
Dress by moon river; Bag by dolce vita; Earrings by petit moments; Necklace by gemelli; Shoes by STEVE MADDEN
Studio Production Credits:
Producers: Gauge Theory Creative Photographer: CLAIRE CALI
Stylist: vanessa powell; Assistant Stylist: elizabeth parrilli; Assistant Stylist: wissal choqri
1st Lighting Assistant: Keaton bayne Digitech: Mikey mcnulty; Production Designer: erika toohey; Assistant Production Designer: connor graves
Hair & Make-Up: marlene sullivan; Content Manager: elise cucchiarelli
Coordinator: quinn francis Model: dani oliveros, Scout models