Cruise collections - what are they and why are they here?

Cruise collections - what are they and why are they here?

December 17th, 2008

The Cruise fashion collections have been around for a few weeks now. Waddayamean you’re not going on a cruise? What, not even a ferry trip to France to pick up some pre-Christmas booze?

Never mind, you can wear it here too.

Cruise collections hark back to the day when, just about now, the jetset glamour couples started preparing to whizz off to warm, stylish holiday destinations or, um, go on a cruise (and everyone knows, you need a new wardrobe to go on holiday). According to Wikipedia, cruise collections are also known as collection croisière in French which sounds much more glamorous.

I always like to imagine elegant ladies in huge floppy hats, Jackie O shift dresses and vast dinnerplate sunglasses sailing down the Nile, waiting to be murdered by an Agatha Christie villain. I’m not sure what you do if you’re going on a cruise to the frozen wastes of Antartica to look at the penguins though (you didn’t think of that with your tiny silver glitter bikini, did you Heidi Klein?)

Still, at least the Cruise collections mean a break from a million articles about shiny, frilly Christmas and New Year party dresses, and those endless “chunky knits”. And we get to talk about how pieces are “transitional”.

Fashion designers including Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Diane von Furstenberg and Chanel offer Cruise collections, and just one of two pieces will update your wardrobe.

So check out our favourite transitional and cruise collection pieces, below, all from Matches Fashion’s capsule cruise suggestions.

Cruise collections what are they and why are they here?

This DvF Charley camoflouge print bandeau dress will skillfully hide those hidden carb-related extra winter pounds.

And I would wear this as a Christmas party dress. With a chunky knit. 49% silk, 51% cotton and only £217.

If I was going somewhere with a beach, and I could wear bikinis, this is what I’d take. Actually I’d wear it look at penguins. But then, I like to make an effort.

This gorgeous silver glitter Heidi Klein bikini with silver detail on the straps and the edges of the bikini bottoms is £138.

This short-sleeved, fitted Alexander McQueen blue shirt dress has a high collar and monogrammed Alexander McQueen buttons right down the dress.

I love, love, love this dress. Sadly, reminds me of a very similar one I threw out a few years ago (though the monogrammed buttons on that one probably said Topshop). £655.

This beautiful beige quilted handbag from Marc Jacobs has tote handles and gold twist clasp closure, plus strap detailing that wraps around the bag.

I’m not sure I’d take it to the beach, but I can imagine wafting round the VIP deck of a super-yacht with it. 100% leather. £795.

Wow. This Bottega Veneta black structured one-piece swimsuit is perfect for a winter getaway - and it’s elegant and understated, just like their handbags.

This swimsuit is 80% Nylon, and 20% Elastane. It’s £305.