16 Brands Like Gretchen Scott for Colorful, Fun Fashion
You know that feeling when your closet is bursting with color and every piece makes you smile? That is the Gretchen Scott effect. Cheerful tunics, bold tropical prints, and breezy silhouettes that make ordinary days feel like a beach vacation. The brand turned joyful dressing into an art form, and once you go bright, there is no going back.
But here is the thing. Even the most devoted Gretchen Scott fan eventually wants fresh prints to rotate in, new silhouettes to play with, or a slightly different take on that vacation-ready energy. Maybe you want the same color-drenched spirit with a preppier polish, a boho twist, or a resort-chic edge. These 12 brands share that same commitment to making fashion fun, colorful, and completely unapologetic about it.
Lilly Pulitzer
If Gretchen Scott is the life of the party, Lilly Pulitzer is the one who planned it. This Palm Beach icon has been defining resort wear since the 1960s, and the brand's signature hand-painted prints remain some of the most recognizable in American fashion. What makes Lilly stand out is the sheer commitment to pattern. Every season delivers dozens of original prints featuring tropical florals, citrus motifs, and ocean-inspired palettes that feel both timeless and completely of the moment. The fit philosophy leans classic preppy with a generous dose of whimsy. Shift dresses, wrap tops, and flowy maxis dominate the collection, all designed to look polished while feeling effortless. Where Gretchen Scott tends toward breezy, travel-friendly tunics, Lilly offers a broader range that extends from casual sundresses to cocktail-ready pieces. Both brands understand that color is a mood, not just a choice, and neither has ever met a pastel it did not love.
Best for: Preppy resort lovers who want iconic, hand-painted prints with Palm Beach polish.
Trina Turk
For the woman who wants her colorful fashion with a designer edge, Trina Turk delivers bold prints with California sophistication. The Los Angeles-based label has built a devoted following around geometric patterns, saturated hues, and silhouettes that flatter without fuss. Trina Turk's approach to color feels more architectural than Gretchen Scott's playful, boho-leaning palette. Think structured shift dresses in retro-mod prints alongside vibrant swimwear and resort separates that look as stunning poolside as they do at dinner. The brand leans heavily into mid-century modern influences, giving each collection a graphic, artistic quality that sets it apart. If your idea of vacation dressing includes statement pieces that photograph beautifully and turn heads at every resort restaurant, this is where your search ends. The swimwear collection alone is worth the visit, with bold one-pieces and bikinis that treat the pool deck like a runway.
Best for: Design-minded women who want bold, geometric resort wear with California sophistication.
Vineyard Vines
Coastal living runs through the DNA of Vineyard Vines, and it shows in every pastel polo, printed sundress, and whale-logo accessory the brand produces. Founded by brothers who left their corporate jobs to live the good life on Martha's Vineyard, the brand has become shorthand for colorful, preppy Americana. The palette here is bright but slightly more restrained than Gretchen Scott's tropical explosions. Vineyard Vines favors classic nautical tones alongside cheerful pinks, corals, and greens, all anchored by their signature whale motif. The women's collection spans casual dresses, relaxed knit tops, performance polos, and swimwear designed for days spent between the boat and the beach bar. Where Gretchen Scott excels at the tunic-and-go approach, Vineyard Vines builds out full wardrobes for the coastal lifestyle. Their fabric technology also deserves a mention, with moisture-wicking and UPF options that keep you comfortable and protected during long days in the sun.
Best for: Preppy coastal dressers who want a complete, colorful wardrobe built around nautical charm.
J. McLaughlin
There is a reason J. McLaughlin has quietly built one of the most loyal followings in American fashion. The brand occupies a sweet spot between classic and colorful that very few competitors manage to hit. Every collection features original prints on their signature "catalina cloth," a wrinkle-resistant fabric that travels beautifully and drapes like a dream. This is where J. McLaughlin really shines for Gretchen Scott fans. Both brands understand that fashion should be functional enough for travel without sacrificing personality. J. McLaughlin's prints tend to feel slightly more refined than Gretchen Scott's tropical motifs, pulling from equestrian, geometric, and botanical influences. The silhouettes lean classic American with modern proportions. Expect wrap dresses, tailored blouses, and pull-on skirts that look equally at home at a country club luncheon or a Saturday farmer's market. If you appreciate color and print but want a slightly more polished execution, this brand deserves a permanent spot in your rotation.
Best for: Classic dressers who want vibrant prints on wrinkle-resistant, travel-friendly fabrics.
Southern Tide
Rooted in the relaxed charm of the Carolina coast, Southern Tide brings a warm, Southern take on colorful casual wear. The brand started with men's performance polos and has expanded into a full lifestyle collection for women that hits all the right notes for Gretchen Scott fans. Think bright, cheerful dresses in playful prints, lightweight button-downs perfect for throwing over swimwear, and comfortable knit tops in coral, turquoise, and sunny yellow. Southern Tide's aesthetic sits at the intersection of preppy and coastal, with a distinctly Southern hospitality vibe that makes everything feel welcoming and approachable. The brand invests heavily in performance fabrics that handle humidity and heat without wrinkling or losing shape, making it a strong choice for warm-climate dressing. Their Intercoastal collection of moisture-wicking tops and their Gameday dresses in school colors show a fun, spirited side that goes beyond typical resort brands. If your colorful wardrobe needs extend beyond vacation and into everyday Southern living, this brand covers the full spectrum.
Best for: Southern lifestyle dressers who want coastal color with performance fabrics built for warm weather.
Tory Burch
When it comes to colorful, globally-inspired fashion with a luxury finish, Tory Burch stands in a category of her own. The brand's signature tunics and caftans share real DNA with Gretchen Scott's approach to easy, throw-on-and-go dressing, but Tory elevates the concept with richer fabrics, more intricate embellishments, and a bohemian-meets-preppy sensibility that feels aspirational without being unapproachable. Every Tory Burch collection features bold prints pulled from global textile traditions, from Moroccan tile work to Japanese ikats and Indian block prints. The color palette is fearless, mixing saturated jewel tones with bright citrus and unexpected neutrals. Beyond the signature tunics, the ready-to-wear collection includes printed maxi dresses, embroidered blouses, and structured separates that bring the same joyful energy to a broader range of occasions. This is a step up in price from Gretchen Scott, but the craftsmanship and design detail justify the investment for pieces you will reach for season after season.
Best for: Globally-inspired dressers who want luxe tunics, bold prints, and bohemian-preppy sophistication.
Kate Spade New York
Nobody does cheerful quite like Kate Spade New York. The brand has built an entire world around the idea that fashion should make you happy, and every collection delivers on that promise with playful prints, unexpected color combinations, and whimsical details that bring genuine delight. Kate Spade's ready-to-wear line captures the same spirit that Gretchen Scott fans adore, but channels it through a distinctly urban, polished lens. Floral sundresses with crisp tailoring, striped knit sets in poppy shades, and printed blouses that transition from weekend brunch to a weekday office make up the core of the clothing line. The accessories are equally joyful, with bags, shoes, and jewelry featuring everything from cherry motifs to bold polka dots. What makes Kate Spade particularly compelling is the brand's ability to be playful without being juvenile. The proportions are sophisticated, the color stories are thoughtful, and the overall effect is a wardrobe that feels optimistic and put-together in equal measure.
Best for: City-chic dressers who want whimsical, cheerful fashion with polished, sophisticated tailoring.
Splendid
If the comfort factor is what drew you to Gretchen Scott in the first place, Splendid takes that philosophy and builds an entire brand around it. Known for ultra-soft fabrics in vibrant colors, Splendid creates pieces that feel as good as loungewear but look polished enough for real life. The brand made its name on the perfect tee and has expanded into dresses, knit separates, and casual collections that prioritize tactile luxury above everything else. The color range here tends toward saturated, sun-washed tones rather than Gretchen Scott's bolder tropical patterns. Think rich corals, deep teals, warm terracottas, and classic stripes in unexpected color pairings. Splendid's silhouettes are relaxed and forgiving, with jersey wrap dresses, soft knit tanks, and easy pull-on pants that work for beach towns and city streets alike. For the Gretchen Scott fan who gravitates toward the easy, lived-in side of colorful dressing rather than structured resort wear, Splendid delivers that same "I just threw this on" confidence in fabrics you genuinely will not want to take off.
Best for: Comfort-first dressers who want ultra-soft, colorful basics with an effortless, lived-in feel.
Emerson Fry
For a more curated, artistic take on colorful dressing, Emerson Fry offers something genuinely special. This independent label creates small-batch collections that focus on rich, saturated solids and thoughtful print work, all cut in relaxed, flattering silhouettes. The vibe is less "beach party" and more "art gallery opening followed by dinner at a candlelit bistro." Where Gretchen Scott leans into playful patterns and tropical energy, Emerson Fry channels color through a more sophisticated, minimalist lens. A cobalt blue tunic dress, a saffron linen blouse, or a hand-printed botanical wrap skirt becomes the single statement in an otherwise pared-back outfit. The brand's commitment to responsible production means smaller runs and more intentional design choices, which translates to pieces that feel personal rather than mass-produced. If you love color but prefer it delivered with restraint and artistic intention rather than all-over tropical prints, Emerson Fry offers a compelling alternative that still celebrates the joy of dressing boldly.
Best for: Art-minded minimalists who want saturated color in intentional, small-batch silhouettes.
Anthropologie
Walking into Anthropologie — or scrolling through their online collection — feels like stepping into a world where every piece tells a story. The retailer curates an eclectic, bohemian-inspired selection of dresses, blouses, and separates from dozens of brands and in-house labels, creating a treasure-hunt experience that rewards the adventurous dresser. For Gretchen Scott fans, Anthropologie scratches that same itch for color and personality, but with a broader artistic palette. Expect hand-embroidered tunics from global artisans alongside printed midi dresses with ruffled hems and patchwork denim that looks like a gallery piece. The store excels at mixing textures, patterns, and cultural influences into outfits that feel deeply personal. While the range is wider than a single brand can offer, the editorial curation means everything on the site shares a cohesive, creative spirit. Anthropologie is also a strong entry point for discovering smaller, independent labels that share Gretchen Scott's love of color and print but bring their own unique perspective to the table.
Best for: Creative, bohemian dressers who want curated, eclectic fashion from a wide range of artisan-inspired labels.
Cabana Life
Sun protection and vibrant style rarely go hand in hand, but Cabana Life has made that combination its entire mission. Every piece in the collection features UPF 50+ protection built directly into the fabric, which means you get the colorful, resort-ready aesthetic of Gretchen Scott with the added benefit of serious sun defense. The prints here are genuinely fun and tropical, covering everything from bold florals and palm fronds to geometric patterns and ocean-inspired motifs. The silhouette range is impressive for a sun-protective brand, including swim cover-ups, casual dresses, rash guards, one-piece swimsuits, and even activewear. Cabana Life understands that women who love color do not want to sacrifice style for function, so every piece is designed to look like regular fashion first and sun protection second. For Gretchen Scott fans who spend serious time outdoors and want their wardrobe to work as hard as they play, Cabana Life fills a unique gap. The brand proves that practical and pretty are not mutually exclusive.
Best for: Sun-conscious women who want vibrant, tropical resort wear with built-in UPF 50+ protection.
Show Me Your Mumu
Born on the beaches of Southern California, Show Me Your Mumu channels free-spirited, colorful energy into flowy, feminine pieces that feel perpetually vacation-ready. The brand started with a simple idea: the perfect mumu. From there, it expanded into a full collection of printed maxi dresses, floral rompers, ruffled tops, and breezy sets that celebrate bold patterns and a laid-back, bohemian attitude. The prints lean playful and romantic, with oversized florals, tropical motifs, and watercolor-inspired patterns that share Gretchen Scott's love of eye-catching design. Show Me Your Mumu's silhouettes tend to be more dramatic and flowing than Gretchen Scott's structured tunics, favoring billowy sleeves, tiered hems, and wrap-front cuts that move beautifully in warm weather. The brand has also built a strong following in the bridesmaid and wedding-guest space, offering printed dresses that bring genuine personality to events. If your ideal wardrobe lives somewhere between "beach bonfire" and "garden party," this brand delivers that energy in full color.
Best for: Free-spirited bohemians who want flowing, printed dresses with California beach energy.
Finding Your Next Colorful Favorite
The beauty of the colorful fashion world is that no single brand owns the category. You might reach for Lilly Pulitzer when you want that iconic preppy print, turn to Trina Turk for a graphic, designer statement, and rely on Cabana Life when you need sun protection without sacrificing style. Building a joyful wardrobe means mixing the best from each of these brands with your Gretchen Scott favorites. The common thread is simple: life is too short for boring clothes.
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Written by
Spencer Lanoue
