“Cruise,”“pre-spring” or “resort” collections, originally designed for jet-setting Americans and Europeans, serve up tropical looks in the dead of winter and offer a sneak peek of spring-summer 2014.

Printed Boy

The pre-spring collection of Italian fashion brand Gucci captures the warm tones of the 70s in both their men’s and women’s wear. Ladies are all about oversized and striped items, while menswear embraces bold prints with a touch of humor and monochromatic browns. Key looks pose a difficult choice: printed trousers with plain jackets or printed jackets with plain trousers? As for accessories, the line of big tote bags in the same color scheme should have you looking the part at the yacht club.

Available at Gucci Boutique, Luxe Galerie, 1/F Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7000. BTS Chit Lom.

Leather and Gradients

On the design side, the pre-spring collection by Louis Vuitton isn’t all that new—more of flashback than a preview. But the overall tones used are much livelier than in the past, and hint at things to come. The shirts and tees have sumptuous blue-and-red gradients, which can be paired with manlier pieces like the rock star-worthy black leather jacket and LV’s signature checked suit. Finish the look with accessories that give off that cruise-vibe like a red scarf or the black-and-white striped t-shirt. 

Available at G/F Gaysorn, 999 Ploenchit Rd. 02-656-1149. BTS Chit Lom.  

Mix the Unmatched

Seems like the launch of Givenchy’s pre-spring collection packs the most variety as, aside from the formal monochrome suit, the brand mixes and matches camos, florals, flames and other graphic prints within a single piece, such as t-shirts sporting both camo print and pictures of animals. The key is to dare to play with them by combining several prints on both tops and pants instead of attempting to pare them down. 

Available at M/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. 02-610-8000. BTS Siam. 

Bright and Detailed

While everyone else is coming up with prints and color blocks for this pre-spring range, Bottega Veneta heads for a more breezy 2014 cruise collection where the luxury is in the details. The basics—shirts and trousers—go for light brown hues and loose linen fabrics. But dark brown and black leather accessories like bags and shoes really up the luxe factor, with details such as the brand’s signature intrecciato (leather weaving) pattern. 

Available at M/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. 02-610-8000. BTS Siam.  

Beachside Prints

Italian print-loving brand Emilio Pucci has revealed its 2014 cruise collection featuring easy-going day wear with a beachside vibe. Expect summer-friendly colors like raspberry red, peach, plum, turquoise and lemon yellow in both plain and print shorts, short dresses and jump-jackets. The girly style is toned down a bit in the bold and sporty accessories like black leather belts and gladiator sandals.

Available in January, at M/F Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. 02-129-4390. BTS Siam.

Summer in the City

French luxury fashion house Kenzo has also gone big on the prints in its pre-spring collection. But rather than the cheerful and colorful look of Pucci, Kenzo presents a nostalgic and urban vibe in cooler hues like pool blue, pastel yellow, grey, soft pink and black. With inspiration drawn from designer’s Carol Lim and Humberto Leon’s youth, the collection adds a touch of masculinity to girl’s daily wear through oversized dresses and crop tops matched with high-waisted carrot trousers and jumpsuits. 

Available at Designer Lux, 1/F Zen Department Store, Ratchadamri Rd., BTS Siam/Chit Lom. 

Artist Inspired

American fashion house Tory Burch’s new cruise collection is inspired by paintings by French modernist artist Edouard Manet and is all about the mix-and-match look. Floral print dresses, trousers and shirts are the main attractions in both cool tones of blue and warm hues of pastel orange, while you can also expect summer-friendly accessories like floral print bags, basketwork handbags and Moroccan-style hats. 

Available at 1/F Central Chitlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-655-7916.

Warm Stripped

Italian high-end fashion brand Gucci has come up with a very striking summer look in their pre-spring collection. Inspired by the sunset, oversized items like knee-length dresses, jumpsuit and shirts come in warm, 70’s evoking tones like orange, brown, kiwi green and maroon. The highlight has to be the way designer Frida Giannini has blended these warm colors into striped dresses and handbags that look just stunning. 

Available at Gucci Boutique, Luxe Galerie, 1/F Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7000. BTS Chit Lom. 

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