What to Wear to a Pool Party: Two Complete Looks That'll Make You the Best-Dressed Guest (Without Even Trying)
Pool parties are tricky. They're not the beach, where anything goes. They're not brunch, where you can default to a sundress and call it done. A pool party is an event that happens to be near water — and that "near water" part throws your entire outfit strategy into a tailspin.
Do you dress to swim? Do you dress to look cute and never touch the water? Do you bring a bag? What kind of bag survives a pool deck? And what about jewelry — can you actually wear it, or will it turn your fingers green by the end of the afternoon?
Take a breath. I've got you. Here are two complete pool party outfits — every piece, every accessory, every detail — so you can show up looking like the best-dressed guest without spending an hour staring at your closet.
Quick Picks: Pool Party Outfit Essentials
Best statement bag for a pool party: Woven Straw Butterfly Clutch — $124 — the bag everyone will ask about
Best "I'm not getting in the water" dress: Metallic Chevron Halter Maxi Dress — $328 — rooftop pool party perfection
Best colorful coverup: Lilac Pom Pom Coverup or Pink Pom Pom Coverup — $158 — fun, flirty, and actually useful
Best pool party earrings: Multicolor Crystal Hoop Earrings — $112 — color that catches the light
Best versatile pool party shoe: Navy Blue Terrycloth Pool Slides — $44 — cute, comfy, waterproof
The Real Question: Are You Getting In the Water or Not?
This is the only question that matters when you're deciding what to wear to a pool party. Everything else — your bag, your shoes, your jewelry — flows from this one decision. And there's no wrong answer. Some of the chicest women at any pool party are the ones who never go near the water. They're there for the cocktails, the conversation, and the outfit.
So I've built two complete looks around that choice. Pick the one that fits your vibe, or honestly, pack both and decide when you get there.
Look 1: The Colorful Coverup (For the Woman Who Might Get In)
This is your "I'm here to have fun and I might actually swim" look. It's colorful, it's easy to throw on and off, and every piece works together without looking like you tried too hard.
The Coverup
Start with a coverup that does more than just cover you up. The pom pom shell trim on these makes them feel like an actual outfit, not just something you grabbed on the way out the door. The lilac is unexpected and fresh — it's not the white or black coverup everyone else will be wearing. The pink is bold and fun, especially if you're the kind of person who walks into a party and owns the room.
SHOP Lilac Swimsuit Coverup with Pom Pom Shell Trim — $158
SHOP Pink Swimsuit Coverup with Pom Pom Shell Trim — $158
For more coverup options and styling ideas, check out our full guide: Best Coverups for the Pool and Beach.
The Bag That Steals the Show
This is where the outfit goes from "cute pool party look" to "where did you get that?" The Woven Straw Butterfly Clutch is brand new, and it's exactly the kind of bag that makes people stop mid-conversation to compliment you. The crystal butterfly and ladybug brooches on the front give it personality without being over the top. It comes in Rosé (perfect with the pink coverup) and Capri (stunning with the lilac).
It's small enough to carry poolside without being annoying, but big enough to hold your phone, sunscreen, and lip gloss. And because it's woven straw, it looks like it belongs at a pool party — not like you accidentally brought your evening bag.
SHOP Woven Straw Butterfly Clutch with Crystal Brooches — $124
The Shoes
Pool slides are the only correct answer for a pool party where swimming is on the table. Heels on a wet pool deck is a recipe for a story you don't want to tell. These navy blue terrycloth slides are soft, easy to kick off when you want to dip your feet in, and the terrycloth material means they actually dry fast if they get splashed.
SHOP Navy Blue Terrycloth Pool Slides — $44
The Hat
Sun protection that looks intentional. The blue bow on this sun hat ties in beautifully with the navy slides and the Capri clutch, creating a color story that looks effortlessly coordinated. It also comes in a fuchsia bow if you're going with the pink coverup.
SHOP Women's Sun Hat with Blue Bow — $138
The Sunglasses
Oversized round frames in caramel are warm, flattering on every face shape, and they go with both the lilac and pink coverup. For more on choosing the right oversized sunglasses for your face shape, we've got you covered.
SHOP Oversized Round Sunglasses in Caramel — $78
The Jewelry
For the coverup look, you want jewelry that adds color and personality without being precious about it. The multicolor crystal hoop earrings are the move — the color catches the sunlight, they tie into the playful energy of the pom pom coverup, and they're bold enough to be visible from across the pool deck. The gold flower stud earrings are a great swap if you want something smaller that works for both looks.
SHOP Multicolor Crystal Hoop Earrings — $112
SHOP Gold Flower Stud Earrings with Crystal — $88
Wondering whether your gold jewelry can handle the heat and humidity? Read our full breakdown: Summer Jewelry That Won't Tarnish.
Look 2: The Maxi Dress (For the Woman Who's Not Getting In)
Let's be real — not every pool party guest is there to swim. Some of us are there for the scene, the drinks, the photo ops, and the outfit. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you're going to a rooftop pool party, a hotel pool event, a birthday celebration that just happens to be poolside, or a bachelorette weekend where the pool is more backdrop than activity — this is your look.
The Dress
The Metallic Chevron Halter Maxi Dress is the kind of piece that makes people wonder if you have a stylist. The metallic threads catch the light in a way that photographs beautifully (which matters at a pool party, let's be honest), and the halter neckline shows off your shoulders and collarbone — the perfect canvas for halter neckline jewelry. The chevron pattern has that Missoni-inspired quality that looks expensive without trying. This dress does the work so you don't have to.
SHOP Metallic Chevron Halter Maxi Dress — $328
For more dresses that work for warm-weather events, see our Vacation Dresses That Go From Beach to Dinner guide.
The Hat
The same sun hat, but with the black bow. The black ties into the darker tones of the metallic chevron pattern and keeps the overall look polished and intentional. This is the difference between "she just grabbed a hat" and "she planned that."
The Sunglasses
For the maxi dress look, the black or tortoise colorway of the oversized round sunglasses gives you a more polished vibe than the caramel. Think Jackie O at a resort — classic, confident, not trying too hard.
The Jewelry
This is where the maxi dress look gets its edge. The halter neckline means your arms and wrists are the focus, which makes a cuff bracelet the perfect statement piece. The gold butterfly cuff is bold without being heavy, and the butterfly cocktail ring ties it together as a coordinated set. Add the gold flower stud earrings for something that sparkles in the sunlight without competing with the dress.
SHOP Gold Butterfly Cuff Bracelet — $124 l SHOP Gold Butterfly Cocktail Ring — $78
SHOP Gold Flower Stud Earrings with Crystal — $88
For more ideas on styling cocktail rings and statement bracelets, we've got full styling guides.
Pool Party Outfit Tips That Actually Matter
Choose your bag based on the vibe, not just the size. A woven clutch says "I'm at a party." A giant beach tote says "I'm at the beach." There's a difference. If you need to carry more than a clutch will hold, leave a tote in the car and bring the cute bag poolside.
Metallic accessories photograph better than you think. Gold jewelry, metallic threads in a dress, even a shimmer in your sunglasses — these all catch the natural light at an outdoor event. Pool parties are one of the few settings where a little shine during the day looks right.
Your coverup IS your outfit. Stop thinking of a coverup as the thing you wear until you get to the pool. The right coverup with the right accessories is a complete look. Add earrings, a hat, and a clutch, and you're dressed — not "covered up."
Don't overthink the shoes. Slides are the move. Period. Anyone wearing heels near a pool is either very brave or hasn't thought this through. Terrycloth or rubber slides that you can kick on and off are the only practical choice, and they can still be cute.
Layer your jewelry with intention. For the coverup look, go colorful and playful — crystal hoops, a fun ring, maybe a charm bracelet. For the maxi dress look, keep it tonal — all gold, one statement cuff, one cocktail ring. The dress does the heavy lifting, so the jewelry just needs to accent, not compete.
What Type of Pool Party Are You Going To?
Backyard pool party at a friend's house: The coverup look (Look 1) is perfect. Keep it fun, colorful, and easy. You'll be eating, drinking, and probably getting splashed whether you planned on it or not.
Hotel or resort pool party: Either look works depending on whether you plan to swim. If you're there for the scene, the maxi dress (Look 2) will set you apart from everyone in basic black swimwear.
Rooftop pool party: The maxi dress, no question. Rooftop events skew more dressed up, and the metallic chevron pattern looks incredible as the sun starts to set.
Birthday pool party: The coverup look with the woven butterfly clutch. It's festive, it's photo-ready, and the birthday girl will probably ask to borrow your bag for pictures.
Bachelorette pool party: Go bold with the pink coverup, the Rosé clutch, the multicolor crystal hoops, and the fuchsia bow hat. Coordinated without being matchy-matchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to a pool party if I'm not swimming?
A maxi dress or a polished coverup styled as an outfit (not just a swimsuit layer) with statement accessories. The key is looking intentional — like you chose this outfit for a party, not like you're on your way to the beach.
Can I wear jewelry to a pool party?
Yes — gold-plated and stainless steel jewelry can handle heat and humidity. Avoid anything with delicate stones that could be damaged by chlorine or sunscreen. For a full guide on which pieces hold up in summer heat, see our post on summer jewelry that won't tarnish.
What kind of bag do you bring to a pool party?
A woven straw clutch or small crossbody is ideal. It holds your essentials (phone, sunscreen, lip gloss) without taking up a lounge chair. Leave the large tote in the car.
What shoes should I wear to a pool party?
Slides or flat sandals — never heels. Terrycloth or rubber slides are the most practical because they dry quickly, are easy to slip on and off, and won't slide on wet pool decks.
What's the difference between a pool party outfit and a beach outfit?
A pool party is an event. A beach day is casual. Pool party outfits should be more put-together — think styled coverups with accessories, a statement bag, and intentional jewelry — rather than a swimsuit and flip-flops.
Can I wear a maxi dress to a pool party?
Absolutely. A maxi dress is one of the best pool party options, especially if you don't plan to swim. Choose a lightweight fabric that moves well and pair it with flat sandals or slides and gold jewelry.
What accessories do I need for a pool party?
At minimum: sunglasses, a hat with sun protection, and a small bag. To go from "fine" to "best dressed," add statement earrings, a cuff bracelet or cocktail ring, and slides that look intentional rather than like an afterthought.
More Style Inspiration
Best Coverups for the Pool and Beach
Vacation Dresses That Go From Beach to Dinner
Summer Jewelry That Won't Tarnish
Beach Vacation Packing List: The Accessories You'll Actually Wear
Best Wide Brim Sun Hats for Women