Three Pool Party Dress Codes Guests Can Actually Follow
Try retro resort, cherry red and pink, or sunset colors. Make the dress code easy by asking guests to wear one color or accessory from the theme. Give one example for swimming and one for staying dry, and tell guests whether they should bring a towel or a change of clothes.
Pool party outfits by theme
| Theme | If you’re swimming | If you’re staying dry |
|---|---|---|
| Retro resort | Pool blue trunks with a cream camp shirt. | Butter yellow tee with loose trousers or shorts. |
| Cherry red and pink | Pink swimsuit with white pull-on shorts. | Neutral outfit with a red cap or pink tote. |
| Sunset colors | Coral swimsuit with a cream wrap. | Plum tee with neutral shorts and a light layer for later. |
Retro resort
- Pool blue
- Butter yellow
- Cream
What to wear. Blue trunks and a cream camp shirt, a striped swimsuit with white shorts, or a yellow tee with relaxed linen trousers. A striped towel or a pair of sunglasses is enough to join in if you’re already happy with what you’re wearing.
Set the scene. Use striped towels and a stack of pool-blue or yellow cups where people gather. Let the stripe repeat in one place, such as the drink table, so people can find the theme even in a group wearing mostly solids.
Invitation wording
Retro resort afternoon. Wear pool blue, butter yellow, cream or a stripe if you like. A swimsuit and cover-up or an airy shirt and shorts both fit the theme.
Cherry red and pink
- Cherry red
- Blush pink
- White
What to wear. Pair a pink suit with white shorts, wear plain trunks with a red shirt, or use a red cap or pink tote with something neutral. If a few friends want to wear the same print, Cherry on Top gives them a shared motif. Everyone else can choose one of the colors.
Set the scene. Use a pink tablecloth and something red near the snack table. For a group photo, ask people who want to join to bring their red or pink accessory, even if it’s just a towel.
Invitation wording
Cherry red and pink pool party. Add one red or pink thing you already own. Swimsuits, shorts and sundresses all welcome.
Sunset colors
- Peach
- Coral
- Tangerine
- Plum
What to wear. Try a coral one-piece with a cream wrap, tangerine trunks with a white shirt, or a plum tee and neutral shorts. Peach, rust and warm pink also fit. Offer a few colors so guests can work with what they own, and suggest a dry layer if you’ll be outside after sundown.
Invitation wording
Sunset by the pool. Pick one color you’d see at sunset, like peach, coral, orange or plum. We’ll be outside after sundown, so bring a dry layer if you tend to get cold.
What to put on the invitation
- Say how optional the theme is. Give guests a one-item version and a regular-clothes option, such as a blue tee and shorts.
- Tell people what to bring. Mention towels, changing space, whether there’s seating away from the pool, and any venue rules guests need to follow.
- Explain the plan for food. If you’ll leave the pool deck for dinner, say when and where so people can bring the right cover-up or dry change.
- Share the photo time, if you have one. A simple note like “group photo on the patio at 5” makes it easy for anyone who wants to be in it to join.
If a few guests want to match, share the group swimwear edit with that smaller group.
Questions about pool party outfits
What do you wear to a pool party if you aren’t swimming?
Wear something comfortable outdoors, such as a sundress, linen shorts and a tee, or a light shirt and trousers. Add an accessory in the theme color if you want to join in.
What does “poolside casual” mean on an invitation?
At a relaxed party, think swimwear with a cover-up or lightweight everyday clothes and shoes suitable for the deck. If the event is at a hotel or club, check its rules or ask the host.
How can a group look coordinated without wearing matching suits?
Pick one color everyone can use somewhere, then leave the rest open. For example, one guest wears a red swimsuit, one wears a red tee, and another brings a red towel for the group photo.