The White Lotus Costume Designer Shares Her Resort Wear Inspiration — Get the Look for Under $50
Originally published at People.com
If season 3 of The White Lotus has you daydreaming of a tropical vacation, you’re not alone.
Though the mysteries, shenanigans, and kooky characters of Mike White’s brainchild bring us back every season, the infamous fashion is not to be overlooked. We chatted with The White Lotus’ costume designer, Alex Bovaird, to tap into her inspiration for the show’s eye-catching looks. “Each character has their own taste but overlaid onto a world where people still dress up to travel and like to get dolled up for dinner,” Bovaird exclusively tells PEOPLE.
We found a mix of pieces echoing the show’s florals, bohemian romance vibes, and Thai-inspired colors that you’ll want to pack for your next getaway — including from Bovaird’s new The White Lotus collab with H&M — and they all land under $50.
More The White Lotus Collabs
Kiehl’s: Resort ReSet Collection, $80
Abercrombie & Fitch: Graphic Crew Sweatshirt, $90
CB2: The White Lotus Collection, $15–$3,374
Supergoop!: Suncare Collection, $48 (orig. $72)
Fair Harbor: Men’s and Women’s Collections, $54–$128
Away Travel: The White Lotus Collection, $55–$485
Homesick: Room Service Candle, $35
Diff Eyewear: The White Lotus Collection, $119–$149
Aqua: Metallic Knit Pleat Floral Halter Midi Dress, $128
Nest New York: Cucumber and Sage, 3-Wick Candle, $98
Banana Republic: The White Lotus Collection, $50–$350
Under-$50 Resort Wear Inspired by The White Lotus
The White Lotus H&M Glittery Crochet Top
Bovaird launched The White Lotus collaboration with H&M ahead of the season 3 premiere full of rich textures, patterns, and colors. This crochet top is among the collection, reminiscent of the first outfit we see Aimee Lou Wood’s character, Chelsea, wear onscreen.
Bovaird was inspired by “’60s and ’70s vacation dressing,” which you can see in the collab’s “vintage Hawaiian and Cuban shirts,” crochet and eyelet tops, ruffled dresses, and oversized silhouettes. She says the pieces reflect “a little bit of everything” and a “boho romantic” vibe.
Lillusory Linen Summer Palazzo Pants
With the show’s destination in mind, Bovaird pulled costume inspiration from “the colors of Thailand: lush greens, tropical guava, dusty terracotta, orange, [and] royal purple.” She wanted to represent “the chaotic and vibrant world of South East Asia.”
These palazzo pants are a nod to the “flowing loose linens” you’ll see throughout season 3. A blend of rayon and linen, the drawstring pants are breathable with a relaxed beachy fit.
Lulus Beachy Feeling Halter O-Ring One-Piece Swimsuit
Another element of The White Lotus fashion is “statement swimwear,” according to Bovaird. She looked at vibrant colors like yellow and patterns like polka dots. The essence of resort-core is “dress[ing] how you feel,” in a sort of “no rules” philosophy — the ideal mantra when you’re in vacay mode.
This neon green swimsuit is the epitome of all of these elements, with a playful cutout across the torso and a high-cut waist to flash some skin. The nylon/spandex blend offers a good amount of stretch and easily shakes off sand and other beach residue, too.
August Sky Floral Long Sleeve Midi Dress
Though Parker Posey’s character, Victoria, is often seen wearing Jim Thompson dresses in the show, we found a similar printed style at Nordstrom Rack for 69 percent off. The floral design is quite tropical and reflects the “romanticism” that Bovaird was going for with some of the cast’s outfits. It’s also 100 percent polyester and should be fairly breathable in warmer climates.
Chico's Jacquard Smocked Boatneck Top
Resort wear allows the opportunity to branch out style-wise, and taking a cue from The White Lotus, Bovaird thinks you should “dress like every day could be your last, so look chic and fancy and like you don’t give a toss.”
This floral blouse is such a simple way to add some pizazz to your travel ’fits. Dress it up with a flowy skirt or pair it with some neutral Bermuda shorts for a more casual vibe.
Allarallvr Retro Sunglasses
So far, the theme of this season seems to be deception, and what better way to hide your secrets than behind a pair of retro shades, inspired by the show. These sunglasses are lightweight, have filtered lenses to eliminate glare, and come with UVA and UVB protection, according to the brand. Plus, you can buy them in sets of two or three and in multiple colors.
Other The White Lotus-inspired trends to keep in mind for travel this year? “Gold necklaces,” “metallic silks,” and “loud printed caftans,” says Bovaird. Consider these resort-ready pieces and accessories for the tropical destinations on your itinerary (just watch out for the monkeys).
