Some people associate the Resort season with designer beach towels and lounge wear for poolside relaxation, but in truth it has actually become an increasingly important in-between season not only for the designers but also for fashionable women who crave a constant stream of new ensembles and accessories. These are the clothes to sport when it isn’t quite chilly or quite hot. Designers ranging from high end to cheaper down-town chic have started showing collections for Resort, some with only a hand-full of looks, but just enough ingenuity to capture their customer’s hearts and bring them shopping for off-season staples. Here is a compilation of some of the best Resort looks from designers based on this side of the Atlantic. Enjoy!

Peter Som at Bill Blass chose to embrace saturated colors for the season, shown expertly in not only solids, but also in great prints and stripes. He may still seem new to the house, but he has captured the effortless American style it has come to represent. His gorgeous take on formal dressing would look appropriate and classic no matter what the weather.

Donna Karan opted for a lipstick-inspired palette with dusky pinks reds and nudes with a splash of black and white thrown in for good measure. The elegant collection seemed to come straight from the boudoir with soft draping and textured fabrics, a beautiful way to welcome spring when it’s still a bit cold out.

Marc Jacobs was as quirky as ever with a nods to both classic Yves Saint Laurent and Jacobs’ beloved eighties New Wave. His dhoti-inspired pants made an appearance yet again in his repertoire proving that perhaps they are more than simply a passing trend.

Michael Kors showed his signature Palm Beach inspired looks with references to Babe Paley and Tony Duquette in lush turquoise and cobalt paired with statement, ethnic-inspired jewelry. The capris may need to be retired come October, but the oversize necklaces earrings will still look fresh in the fall.

Finally, Oscar de la Renta showed sixty-six fresh and up-beat looks in every shade of the rainbow, from deep espresso browns to tangerines and electric blues. The entire collection was as impeccable as ever, but the true standouts were most certainly the ball gowns, especially the final two frothy confections in lime green and hot orange.

Unlike the traditional Spring and Fall collections, which can so often be completely dictated by trend, Resort runs the gamut, allowing happy shoppers to pick and choose from ballet-like day dresses to pop-art colored jackets. You can be whoever you like and always look fabulous.