ow that summer’s here, people are taking to the roads, the friendly skies or the seas to visit their favorite destination spots. No matter where they roam, they’ll be hitting gift and souvenir shops to find just the right items to remember their trips.
According to thevacationer.com, this season alone, nearly 85% of Americans plan to travel, with 42% scheduling more vacation time away than in 2022. One hundred million people alone – about one third of the U.S. population – are ready to road trip more than 250 miles to tourist spots. To gear up for happy travelers, check out some of our top recommendations for gift shops and resorts, using products you can find at ssactivewear.com.
Knowing the top styles and accessories people want to wear will help you create enticing resort collections for your vacation destination clients. Here’s your passport to some top resort wear for 2023!
1. Bottoms Up!
Nothing says “I’m in vacation mode” than a pair of comfy, on-trend wide-leg lounge pants for her. Wide-leg pants started having a moment in 2022 – and they’re staying put for 2023.
The Boxercraft Women's Evelyn Pants
These are great, because along with offering vacationers the perfect blend of style and comfort, they can paired with lots of tops, from modest crops to relaxed graphic tees and flowy blouses.
You might also see these worn along with a classic denim jacket for stylish contrast and a layer of warmth for cooler evenings or transitional seasons. Paired with the right pair of fashionable sneakers, they can even create a sporty or urban look.
Choose from a vibrant selection of vacation-worthy hues, including Wisteria, Sage, Paradise, Orchid, Blush, and Royal.
2. Sun-Sational Headwear
Nothing says vacation like a straw hat, and we've got the ones that stand out from the crowd. Perfect for everything from the beach to daytime bonfires to boat tours, this classic hat style is a must-have vacation accessory.
The Mega Cap Lifeguard Straw Hat
Experience a touch of tropical magic with this fun hat, featuring a 4.5" brim and an exciting hidden surprise. When you remove the hat, a vibrant pattern awaits on the under brim, showcasing tropical and floral designs with a total summer vibe.
Made made of 100% natural straw, it’s designed with comfort in mind, coming with an elastic sweatband to keep sweat out of your eyes, an adjustable cord to keep your hat on your head in windy weather, and a generous brim for sun protection.
Choose from an array of fun options, including Black Floral, Blue Floral, Blue Leaf, Orange Leaf, Water or Flag, to add a touch of whimsy and style to any summer ensemble. You can also select a Natural/Black or Brown Black Lifeguard Straw Hat, with a large, protective 5.25” brim that’s unlined.
3. The Crop’s Still On Top
Pair two hot, lasting trends – cropped shirts and tie-dye – and you’ve got a winning combo for every gift shop. In the last few years, cropped styles have expanded from t-shirts, into sweatshirts and hoodies, with more modest lengths and looser cuts.
Always a summer staple, tie-dye got even more popular during the pandemic as people DIY’d and Instagrammed their at-home efforts. Tie-dye’s still majorly on-trend and probably will never go out of style. With so many patterns and both vibrant and muted color tones available, there’s literally something for everyone.
The Colortone Women's Tie-Dyed Crop T-Shirt
This cropped style comes with a longer length that'll appeal to a wider range of tourists than a typical crop and also has a rainbow of whimsical color schemes to choose from. Add a resort or destination name on this t-shirt for non-stop, fun memories every time they wear it.
4. Lounge in Layers
Every travel packing list should include a warm hooded sweatshirt, but we always have room for one more! Hoodies are fashion staples and have evolved beyond casual wear. With such a wide range of styles, colors and fits available, a gift shop can stock hoodies that appeal to everyone.
The J. America Triblend Fleece Hooded Sweatshirt
Because they're such fashion staples, and there's so many out there, its even more important to pick one that stands out. This J. America hoodie brings that "X" factor with lots of fun patterns, from leopard print to stars and stripes and camo. But now, there's a new tropical pattern called "Aloha."
Available in 2 colorways, Chambray and Grey, this new pattern is sure to get shoppers attention, and looks unique enough to make it a valuable addition to their closet.
5. The Catch of the Day
Some travelers won’t call their adventuring a “vacation” unless they’ve planned a day of fishing out on the ocean, the bay, or the lake. That's why gift shops should consider stocking apparel made for the outdoors, from premium brands like, Columbia.
The Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long Sleeve Shirt
When you put a resort, restaurant or business name on a Columbia shirt, you’ve automatically amplified your reputation as a brand. The “PFG” in this name stands for Performance Fishing Gear, and it pretty much has all the features tourists will love for catching the big one.
It's made of durable ripstop polyester, has Omni-Shade UPF 40 sun protection, as well as Omni-Wick moisture management properties and a mesh-lined back vent to keep you cool and dry.
Want more? The Tamiami II has chest pockets with snaps to store stuff, convertible sleeves so you can match the temperature, and a hook-and-loop rod holder with Columbia patch logo on the left chest. Every resort or gift shop should have some premium options, and this is one of the best you'll get.
6. Celebrate Coziness
You know the old saying, “You can never have too many blankets,” right? That’s because we can’t get enough of their warm, tactile comfiness! In souvenir shops, blankets are super-easy to pick out and buy for yourself and friends, since there’s no sizing to think about.
The J. America Baja Blanket
For the blanket hoarders among us, there’s no better item to bring back home from our travels. Plus, an easy-to-pack blanket is ideal for staying warm on the plane, in the car, at the evening drive-in movie or sporting event, or the nighttime bonfire.
Travelers will love bundling up in the sumptuously warm blanket made of super-soft French Terry. This Baja Blanket is the ideal size for lounging on the couch or laying out on the sandy beach. The generously sized 54"W x 84"L blanket also does double duty, with a handy pocket that makes it easy to fold it into a pillow that's great for use at home, in a hotel, on the beach or in-transit.
You’ll love the unique yarn-dyed stripe pattern throughout and the fun rope-like tassels at the ends, for a conversation piece. Choose from several natural color schemes: Natural/Brick Red, Natural/Mist Blue or Natural/Charcoal.
Vacation Mode: ON
It’s time to help your client take their destination gift shop to the next level with on-trend apparel and accessories. From fashion-forward straw hats to wide-leg lounge pants, to premium fishing shirts and cozy blankets, these products are must-haves. With the right branded products, you can create sell-out resort collections that will make vacationers’ trips truly memorable.