What Is Resort Wear?: In the 60s and 70s, fashion designers created warm weather clothing for affluent women who were heading south to the tropics. These fashions were known as cruise wear, cruise clothing or cruise resort wear. Resort wear has now become much more than simple summer fashion for a trip to the Caribbean or a long weekend in Palm Beach. Today, resort wear combines comfort and easy care with a distinctive fashion sense. Resort collections merit runway shows, designer appearances and a wide range of apparel. Fashion famous brands like Chico's and Banana Republic have helped expand the resort wear definition to include year-round clothing that can be worn, not only on vacation, but to the office in mid-fall or early spring. Each week, SunshineStyles brings you an impressive selection of resort wear, including casual separates, swimwear, simple cocktail dresses, accessories or even the occasional evening gown for the red carpet.