Today feels like the perfect day to be dreaming about a beach vacation. It’s -10 degrees outside (I wish I was kidding), summer seems like it’s still years away, and a getaway to warm weather sounds like heaven right now! In the meantime, I’ll put my daydreaming to good use by creating a style guide for your next beach resort vacation. Whether you prefer to book cruise lines or an all-inclusive, I’ve got you covered with tips about what to wear to a resort. Think warm thoughts, and keep reading!
What to Pack for a Resort
Resort dress codes can vary depending on which one you book, but there are a few key pieces that will more than likely be universally appropriate. Resort wear has to include casual and practical pieces like swimwear, without neglecting any occasions that you might want to dress up – like attending a nice dinner. It’s always a good idea to pack a little bit of everything just in case! The style guide below will help you get started.
1. Embrace Straw and Raffia Accessories
Textured pieces, like ones in raffia or straw, are a great way to add interest to your favorite resort casual looks. A straw sun hat, a raffia market bag, a woven clutch, or textured sandals will all complement your resort attire. These types of accessories are often much more suited to wet or sandy environments – you won’t want to bring your suede or leather pieces too close to the beach.
Straw and raffia are also durable, and easy to clean. Plus, they’re natural materials that will fit right in underneath the palm trees. If you have to choose between the two, raffia is often touted to be more durable, and more sustainable, than straw or many other popular textiles.
hat | sunglasses | swimsuit | bag | flip flops
2. Fill Up a Big Beach Bag with Essentials
A big beach bag is essential for a vacation wardrobe! If it’s your first time visiting a beachside resort, here’s a little tip that I learned during my stay at an all-inclusive – if you want the best beachside chairs, you’ll want to head out early and plan to stay there as long as you want to claim a seat! The best chairs are prime real estate for oceanside views and the best water access. Make sure to pack a beach bag with all of your necessities for the day if you don’t want to risk losing your spot with a trip back to your room.
A straw beach bag is always a great choice, or choose a canvas option that is easy to throw in the wash when you get home! One with pockets is helpful to separate your sunscreen, snacks, beach read, etc. Otherwise, you might want to consider waterproof organizer bags to keep everything safe and dry!
bucket hat | tote bag | sunglasses | dress | shoes
3. Finish Your Look with A Button-Down Shirt
Button-down shirts or dresses in breathable fabrics are a lifesaver when it comes to what to wear to a resort. Button-downs in poplin, linen, or cotton are lightweight, breezy, and provide great coverage on top of your two-piece or one-piece bathing suits. If you’re headed straight from the pool to lunch, this can save you from having to do a whole outfit change. Beyond coverage, they also offer great sun protection if you’re trying to cover up.
If you’re headed out for a catamaran or sailboat ride, things might get windy out on the water! Button-down shirts and dresses can also provide a little warmth and skin protection on the open ocean. Plus, they can make any outfit look more chic and put together.
button-down | swimsuit | sandals | earrings
4. Add a Layer with Linen Pants
Speaking of layers that add coverage and comfort, a pair of linen pants will also serve you well when it comes to cruise wear or beach casual attire. They’re also a great choice if you’re looking to cover up – whether you’re walking from your room to the water, heading inside for a bite to eat, or maybe just wish to have your lower half covered when possible.
Linen pants are breathable and light, so you won’t have to worry about warm temperatures even though you’ll be wearing more material. You can also use them to turn your swimsuit into a full outfit that looks styled – pair them with your favorite one-piece that can act as a bodysuit, and you’re good to go.
linen pants | swimsuit | sandals | necklace | gold hoops
5. Accessorize with Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry can do a lot to elevate your casual pieces for a nice dinner or drinks at your resort. Even just a pair of chunky gold earrings can make you look more put together, and evening ready. You can put together a capsule jewelry collection of interchangeable gold pieces with a stacked set of necklaces, a couple of pairs of earrings,
Other pieces that you can elevate your look include strappy sandals or heels, a little black dress, or a purse with gold accents. This is a great formula to save if you need to think about appropriate attire for elegant resort wear.
dress | heels | earrings | purse
6. Dress Up for Dinner with Maxi Dresses
There will most likely be at least one night that you want to dress to the nines when you’re on vacation. If you want to dress to impress, an elegant maxi dress is the perfect way to do it. Although you could certainly choose a style in a bright color or pattern, I think that there’s something so chic and timeless about a long white or black dress! Most resorts have upscale restaurants on site, and even if you’re not sure if you’ll be eating at one of them, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Even if you don’t end up making it to a nice dinner during your stay, you can always save your long dress for an impromptu sunset photo shoot on the beach, or a romantic date night watching the sun go down over the water.
sandals | dress | clutch | bangle | earrings
7. Branch Out with Tropical Prints & Bright Colors
Summer vacation, or your next beach getaway, is the perfect time to experiment with bold colors and patterns. Even if you prefer to stick to a neutral palette in your everyday style, sometimes it can be fun to break the mold and play around with new shades and styles when you’re somewhere bright and warm.
If you love the classic look but want to have a little bit of fun with a statement piece, your swimsuit is a great place to start. Not only can a bright suit be helpful when it comes to water safety (some colors can make a big difference when it comes to visibility!) but it also can be a flattering and fun way to mix up your style. Keep the rest of your accessories and layers neutral to prevent the bright pattern or color from wearing you.
swimsuit | shorts | sandals | earrings | sunglasses
8. Pack Plenty of Chic Swimsuit Coverups
There are so many swimsuit cover-up options out there – I guarantee you’ll find one you love! In fact, you’ll probably want to pack multiple on your trip. Limited with suitcase space? Try starting with one in black or white, as well as one with a pattern (I’m partial to leopard print myself).
A sarong-style cover-up can be tied in a variety of different ways, which means that you can use it to style many unique outfits that feel fresh. In the look below, tie it as a skirt over a classic one-piece swimsuit. Accessorize with a woven bag, a gold bangle, and black slide sandals.
skirt | swimsuit | bag | sandals | bracelet
9. Don’t Forget Comfortable Shoes
As a general rule, comfortable shoes are a must when it comes to what to wear to a resort. If it’s a large resort, you’ll be doing more walking than you think! Plus, there are a lot of terrains to think about – sand, pool tiles, cement, wood, etc. You’ll want shoes that will not only protect your feet, but that also are comfortable to walk long distances in (and look cute, of course).
Sandals are an obvious choice, but you might also consider packing a wedge pair of espadrilles, or even a pair of block heels for a nice dinner or special events. You can also incorporate texture into your look with your shoes, so keep that in mind when planning your outfits! Also, if you plan to check out any of the fitness amenities at your resort, don’t forget a pair of tennis shoes.
dress | tote bag | sandals | sunglasses
10. Lengthen Your Look with Long Skirts
I love a long skirt when it comes to special occasion dressing. They will elevate any look, and help to lengthen the appearance of your legs. As a petite person, I appreciate how high-waisted maxi skirts can make me appear much taller, especially with the right shoes! Plus, the longer length instantly makes your outfit appear more elegant.
Elegant casual looks are easy to put together with a long skirt and tank top. A white linen tank will pair well with almost any skirt. Plus, you could also layer your skirt on top of a one-piece swimsuit if you’re going for casual wear!
white tank top | skirt | sandals | clutch | earrings
11. Go for Elegance with a One-Piece Swimsuit
No list of casual resort wear would be complete without a striped shirtdress. Casual dresses are an effortless piece to pack on vacation, and who doesn’t want to hear “effortless” and “vacation” in the same sentence? The best vacation pieces can be styled in a number of different ways, and that’s exactly the case for the button-up shirtdress.
Wear it open over your bathing suit, pair it with a tank top and shorts, or style it as a closed dress for a lunch date. No matter how you style it, it’s a classic piece that you can get just as much wear out of when you get back home, too.
shirtdress | flats | one-piece swimsuit | earrings
12. Opt for Lighter Fabrics
Light, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, poplin, etc. are your best bet when it comes to packing for a warmer climate. Everybody wants that sun-kissed glow, but I’m not talking about sweat, here. These fabrics can help you find the perfect balance of your personal style with high temperatures. Avoid getting overheated! That can easily ruin an otherwise ideal vacation day, and so you want to avoid that at all costs. Beat the heat in lighter fabrics that also fit the aesthetic of a resort setting.
linen pants | flip flops | bracelet | swimsuit | necklaces | sunglasses
13. Don’t Forget About Lightweight Blazers
The last item on our list about what to wear to a resort might be unexpected. Lightweight blazers can be a surprisingly great layer to pack if you’re headed to a resort that may call for more formal attire. The dress code of the resort can vary from spot to spot, but a lightweight blazer can be the perfect addition at any location if you want to elevate your overall look. Layer it over a maxi dress for cocktail hour, or pair it with a tank top and shorts for drinks after hours.
dress | blazer | espadrilles | clutch | earrings
What to Wear to a Resort
Whether you’re a veteran of all-inclusive resorts or are in the process of planning your first trip, you can plan chic looks for your whole stay with a little bit of planning. A casual dress code doesn’t mean you have to skimp on good style! Make that resort your runway without sacrificing comfort – plus, you’ll have lots of opportunities for beautiful photos on the beach in your chic looks. And if you remember, bring a little bit of that warmth back with you (we could use it)!
Want even more warm-weather outfit ideas? Never run out by adopting a vacation capsule wardrobe. Find out everything you need in the next post: A Minimalistic and Chic Tropical Vacation Capsule Wardrobe
