Poolside and Pool Party Outfits
The coverup is the outfit
The big shift in the last couple of years is that the coverup stopped being an afterthought. It’s treated as part of the look now, chosen to go with the suit in color and proportion. So pick the two together. A crochet dress, a sheer kaftan, a sarong skirt, a linen set over a bikini all count, and they want real sandals and a little jewelry to finish.
A pool party is dressier than a pool day
Here’s the thing people miss. Most pool parties are eighty percent out of the water. Showing up in just a swimsuit reads underdressed. Treat it as a coverup-as-outfit moment: the suit underneath, but a genuine look on top, plus shoes and a plan for when you’re not swimming.
What’s current
Two directions are both right. One is quiet and sculpted: rich neutral one-pieces in cocoa, olive, and navy. The other is Y2K-bright and playful, including animal print. Texture is everywhere either way, with ribbed, crinkle, and crochet leading. The high-cut nineties one-piece is back, and tie and wrap details are doing a lot of the work.
For men, and for the rest of us
The men’s version is simple: swim trunks and an open camp-collar or linen shirt, where the shirt is the piece that makes it a look. And whatever you wear, have a footwear plan. No shoes is the most common poolside oversight, and a good slide or raffia sandal finishes the whole thing.