Marc Jacobs has just released his Resort Line for 2010.  For the most part it’s a straightforward, modern, collection with a lot of floral prints and opposing bright color choices… sort of what you’d expect from him for resort.  Let’s get one thing clear – I love Marc Jacobs.  In past years, I have called some of his womens collections “the best this penguin has ever seen”, or gone as far as to claim that some men should consider crossdressing just so they could get to wear the line.  This line is not that – but it’s still Marc Jacobs.

I’m very torn on the collection.  I’m honestly pretty split, 50/50, down the middle, even stevens, on this line.  What do you want first?  The good news or the bad news?  Ok, I’ll give you the good first.

Marc Jacobs Resort 2010 - Now These I Like

This is textbook Marc Jacobs freshness, mostly characterized by the pairings and combos chosen.  Nowhere in here are there two different, strong prints opposing each other… one trying to push out another for attention. If he uses a pattern piece, he lets it sit alone and stand out. Great.  The high waisted gold print shorts with seafoam top is casual and comfortable chic.  I like the similar top lines on the pieces, with the same darted pleating at the cinched waistline and neckline.  I love the black, wrap dress with the colorful parrot print – and matching bag.  He throws all of his models in platform heels for the shoot, but this would relax down easy with some basic flat sandals.  The third look is simple – large print spaghetti strap dress in a pop yellow.  The pairing is special – I think we might start seeing contrast tanks and halters making appearances as outer layers all over the place.  The first time you try it you might feel like you’re wearing your bra on the outside, but you’ll get the hang of it. Finally, the short ruffled cocktail dress paired with fitted leather jacket.  We’ve been seeing this for awhile now but mostly with black leather and denim outerwear. Great way to dumb down an otherwise formal look, and style out an otherwise standard dress you had in high school.

Now the bad news…

Marc Jacobs Resort 2010 - Not So Sure

These looks I’m not so sure about.  I hate to hate on Marc but I’m not a fan of the patterns and prints he chose to mash up with these looks.  Color pallet is great on all three pieces, but the combinations are the downfall for me.  I have trouble finding anything I like about the first outfit here – maybe the jacket works paired with a solid pink skirt he showed, but not with these peacock pattern high waist capris.  Maybe it’s this pant cut that has me skeeved out, but I think the middle pic looks like she stole her outfit out of Mrs. Ropers closet.  You Three’s Company fans know what I mean.  The color is great but the print is too much in that bright orange with hot pinks… and did anyone really expect it to work head to toe?  It’s resort.. which in this case means a trip to Ft. Louderdale to visit Marty and Esther Bernstein for some shuffleboard.  Oh, and the plane lost your bag so you had to borrow Esther’s jumpsuit.  The pants bug me just as much in the third look, and this time I definitely blame the pants because I think I actually like the shirt.  He nearly ruined it with the giant embroidered flower, but it still plays.

All in all, I think Marc Jacobs pulled it off again.  It’s not my favorite collection of his at all, but I think some of it can end up in your closets… and you can wear it well.