What is Resort Attire? — And Women's Vacation Outfits You’ll Love

what is resort attire

Pack your bags fam, because we’re going on vacation! Escaping to a tropical paradise this time of year is a dream come true if you’re experiencing the frigid temperatures winter has to offer. Whoever said the ‘cold never bothered them anyway’, was lying (or they’re just a really, really big Frozen fan). The cold makes us ponder about all the warm places we can go, but mainly our minds drift to a tropical beach, a strong cocktail, and our favorite resort attire. You simply can’t go on vacation without picking out cute outfits! From swimsuits and sarongs to rompers and short sleeve button downs, we’re sharing all our fave looks that are trendy and high quality.

With the rise of wanderlust and vacation getaways, it's important for women to know how to dress appropriately for different resorts and destinations. Whether you're headed on a romantic beach retreat or a family vacation at an all-inclusive resort, this blog post will provide you with all the inspiration and tips needed to create stunning vacation outfits that will have heads turning wherever you go.

Resort casual wear may require a different dress code than resort elegant attire, but it all depends on where you’re going or who you’re going with. We wouldn’t want you dressing the same in Florida as you would in the Maldives. And we certainly don’t want you dressing the same on your couple’s getaway as you would a family vacation! There’s a time and place for all chic outfits.

Get ready to elevate your style game because we're diving into everything resort attire has to offer in 2024.

Resort Attire Can Set the Vacation Mood

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Your vacation vibe depends on what you wear. If you’re not feeling confident in what you’re wearing, it can kill your mood and your vacation. The same goes for what style of clothing you’re packing — wearing something fancy on a night when the dress code is casual can make you stand out (and not in a good way!). You don’t want to be the girl who’s wearing a hot-pink floor length dress while everyone else is in denim shorts or another casual outfit. Similarly, you don’t want to be wearing a collared shirt when everyone is in a tank top. One of best feelings in the world is having someone compliment your outfit that you worked hard to curate weeks or even months before your trip — even though it looks completely effortless and seamless!

Whatever your vacation mood is and wherever your destination may be, we’ve got you. Cute outfits and more resort attire tips, coming right up....

 

 

What is resort attire?

Resort attire refers to the type of clothing worn at a tropical resort on vacation. Some resorts have a dress code that outlines what kind of resort attire is appropriate for day and night for men and women. Typically, resort attire includes shorts and short sleeve tops for men during the day and for women it includes a swimsuit coverup or shorts and top during the day. At night, some resorts require men to wear polo shirts and nicer shorts with closed toe shoes like loafers or tennis shoes while women can wear a summer dress, linen pants and pretty top with closed toe sandals.

Is there a dress code on cruise ships?

If you’re going on a cruise line for vacation, check their website beforehand to read about their dress code. Most cruise lines expect guests to dress casual during the day and elegant casual at night.

What is the dress code for casual elegant attire?

Casual elegant refers to outfits that are elegant but informal. For example, men don’t need to wear a dress shirt and women don’t need to wear a formal dress, but think of wearing an unstructured blazer for men and a casual dress for women. Naturally, dresses are more elegant than a tank top and shorts but the casual element of ‘elegant casual’ allows dresses to have comfortable materials and informal fabrics.

Understanding the Resort Dress Code

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If you’re staying at a resort, it’s best to research the hotel in advance to get familiar with the dress code. Some places don’t allow men to wear shorts at dinner or require women to wear a swimsuit coverup when they’re indoors. Reading up on these ‘rules’ will save you discomfort and precious time wasted once you’re there.

Resort attire can be a source of confusion for women. So, it's important to understand the do's and don'ts of this dress code. First, do choose clothing that is appropriate for the occasion. Flowy dresses, skirts, and tailored jumpsuits are great choices for resort eveningwear. But don't wear anything that's too revealing or too casual, like cut-off shorts or flip flops at night. The resort casual dress code is meant for day time activities, breakfast/lunch, and lounging by poolside or beach. Flip flops are encouraged during the day!

Second, do accessorize with jewelry and a stylish pair of sandals. But don't go overboard with statement pieces or wear shoes that are uncomfortable for walking around the resort.

Daytime Resort Looks

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There are so many daytime resort looks that women can wear at their tropical destination vacation. Some pieces that come to mind are shorts and a sheer top, sarongs, crop tops, flowy sundresses, lightweight maxi dresses, shorts rompers, swimsuit coverups dresses, and beach pants. Check out some chic looks we love for inspo, below!

Embracing Vibrant Prints and Colors

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Picture yourself lounging in a hammock, surrounded by lush palm trees and the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore. You're soaking up the warm sun, feeling relaxed and carefree. The only thing missing from this tropical paradise? The perfect outfit to match your serene surroundings. Now is the time to escape the cold and wearing all-black everything. Embrace vibrant prints and colors for a true vacation vibe! Think bold florals, bright oranges and pinks, and even animal prints.

Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns and hues for an eye-catching and lively look. Whether you're sipping on a fruity cocktail by the pool or exploring the nearby town, you’ll want your fashion choices to reflect the vibrant energy of the tropics.

Choosing Versatile Pieces for a Resort Vacation

 

 

It may seem easy to pack lightly when your clothes are lightweight. But you’d be surprised how overwhelming it can be to pack too many pieces in your luggage! You may think it’s better to have an array of options when you get to your destination. But all the choices will boggle you down and waste time you can be spending in the sun.

Here’s what we suggest: Pack all your outfits and try everything on in advance! Some people will even write each outfit down and take a photo of the outfit to refer to. Of course, you should take a few extra pieces just in case there’s a weather change or you have an outfit emergency. But otherwise, don’t add too much on your packing list!

Another great tip we have is to pack pieces that can be worn for day and night. These versatile pieces can be mixed and matched as you please. For example, if you wear a sarong as a bottom during the day with a bathing suit top, you may want to wear that sarong as a top at night with a pair of jeans.

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