How To Dress For A Pool Party High And Low

I heard there was a big run on pools this year since everyone is staying at home this summer. Well even if your pool is a tiny kiddie wading pool set up in your backyard, you can still wear something that looks chic. It’s wise to have a great swimsuit and a coverup on hand for future pool parties. Here’s how to dress for a pool party both high-end and low price. You can compare the designer pieces on the left with their low priced counterparts on the right. Or you can mix up a few high quality items with less expensive fashion and keep everyone guessing. That’s the fun part of high low styling!

How To Dress for A Pool Party

You may know someone with a pool (and after this year) you may get invited to a pool party. Sometimes there are work events where you gather around a pool and you need something appropriate to wear. Or once we all start vacationing again, you will want to be prepared with an outfit for a hotel pool. Swimwear is often a dreaded subject, especially when you are over 40, so we have a guide to find the best suit for you. I recommend a fun print one piece and a crisp white dress as a cover up. Slip on some flat silver metallic slide sandals, grab a straw tote and don’t forget your shades!

The Pucci Print Swimsuit

A Pucci print one-piece swim suit will never go out of style. Find a style that flatters you. Abstract and paisley prints like this are almost like camouflage. You may be surprised that you can look slimmer in bright colored prints. This is because the eye is not sure where to settle! You can also wear it like a bodysuit with white palazzo pants, denim shorts or a full skirt. You can get this Emilio Pucci abstract print swimsuit for $520. Or if you want to go low, try this Atrani Belted Swimsuit in Blue Wave Painted Paisley from Boden, now on sale for $78.40.

The White Dress Pool Party Coverup

This season white cotton dresses and tiered dresses are on-trend and this style works well as a swim suit coverup. It’s a perfect packing piece once you are able to travel again, because it can go from the pool to the street. Wear a white tiered dress with a suede or leather belt in neutrals or bright colors. Or you can toughen it up with a black leather jacket or booties for another look as the weather gets cooler. This gorgeous Merlette Saint Germain Floral Embroidered Dress is $580, or you can get the look for less with this Topshop Smocked Poplin Dress for only $55.

A Chic Straw Bag

A medium sized beach bag is perfect to stow your sunscreen, makeup bag, phone and wallet. This Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza medium leather-trimmed woven raffia tote is this seasons “it” bag when it comes to straw totes. However “it” comes with a price of $490. For a much lower-priced option this Mango straw bag with front panel in tan is now on sale for $48 at ASOS. It’s slightly disheveled but this bag makes me smile, because it really wants to be a Loewe bag when it grows up!

Flat Slide Sandals

A comfortable option for poolside is a pair of leather flat slide sandals. I love metallic shoes for summer! These all leather Ancient Greek Desmos Slides come in a gleaming silver color for $245. However Sam Edleman’s best selling Bay Slides are on now sale in silver for only $39.95.

The Cat Eye Sunglasses

A Pucci print calls for a pair of retro frames. You can’t go wrong with a basic black pair of cat eye sunglasses. Invest in these absolutely perfect Prada 56MM Cat Eye Sunglasses for $298 and you can add them to your collection. Or get the look for a fraction of the cost with these Cat-eye Sunglasses from H&M for only $9.99.

Pool Outfit Styling Tips

1. Wear a one-piece. Find a suit that you feel comfortable wearing. If you are going to be in public (next year) or around family, friends or business associates, you probably will want to be more covered up. A once-piece is the way to go.

2. Retro prints are forever! A Pucci, Missoni or Versace print is classic, so if you invest in the real deal, it will be worth it since it will never go out of style and you’ll wear it for years to come. You can also find many look-alikes for these designer prints so you can spend a great deal less.

3. Wear real street wear for your coverup. Find a coverup that serves a dual purpose, such as the white tiered dress I chose for this outfit. You may be able to invest in the high-end dress if you will wear it on more occasions. A dress like this is perfect for travel because it will be appropriate when you step into a shop or restaurant before or after visiting the hotel pool. You can also change up the look with a belt and different shoes to wear on the street.

Enjoy your pool party this summer and for years to come with this outfit.

Shop This Pool Party Look High and Low

HIGH

Emilio Pucci Abstract Print Swimsuit, $520

Merlette Saint Germain Floral Embroidered Dress, $580

Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza Medium Leather-trimmed Woven Raffia Tote, $490

Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos Slides, $245

Prada 56MM Cat Eye Sunglasses, $298

Total High Price Outfit: $2133

LOW

Boden Atrani Belted Swimsuit – Blue Wave, Painted Paisley, was $98, now $78.40

Topshop Smocked Poplin Dress, $55

Mango Straw Bag with Front Panel in Tan, was $60, now $48

Sam Edelman Bay Slide Sandal, now $39.95

H&M Cat-eye Sunglasses, $9.99

Total Low Price Outfit: $231.34

Would you wear this pool party outfit? Would you style it high, low or a combination of the two?

You may also like to read more of Carol’s High Low style posts like How To Style A Patio Party Maxi Dress High Or Low and How To Style A Zoom Meeting Outfit High Low.

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