I used to panic the night before every pool party.
I’d stand in front of my closet, towel in one hand, three sad bikinis in the other, feeling like I had absolutely nothing to wear.
And the worst part?
I’d always default to the same plain black two-piece, then spend the whole afternoon tugging at it and feeling kinda invisible.
It took me one very sweaty, very awkward birthday pool party to realize something had to change.
Because looking cute by the water isn’t about the tiniest bikini.
It’s about feeling like you, just dialed up a little.
That afternoon I went home, raided my drawers, and started experimenting.
What I found completely changed how I dress for the water.
So grab your iced coffee, get cozy, and let me walk you through my favorite pool party looks.
These are the ones I reach for again and again.
The One-Piece That Made Me Fall in Love Again
Okay, let’s start with the piece that honestly saved me.
The one-piece.
I know, I know, you might be picturing your grandma’s old swimsuit.
But trust me, this is not that.
When I tried on a deep emerald one-piece with a plunging neckline last summer, something just clicked.
I felt long, lean, and weirdly confident, like I could actually walk to the snack table without doing the awkward arm-cross shuffle.
The fabric hugged me in all the right spots.
And the cutout at the waist gave it this little wink of skin without showing everything.
Here’s why it works, emotionally.
A great one-piece holds you.
It feels like a soft hug all day, so you stop thinking about your body and start actually having fun.
My personal tip?
Look for one with a textured fabric, like ribbed or a subtle shimmer.
It catches the light when you move and reads way more expensive than it probably was.
If you’re nervous about color, start with a rich jewel tone.
Emerald, plum, deep rust.
They flatter almost every skin tone, and they photograph like a dream in the afternoon light.
So before you grab another bikini, give the one-piece a real chance.
It might surprise you the way it surprised me.
Throw On a Crochet Cover-Up and Watch the Magic Happen
This one is my secret weapon.
A crochet cover-up.
I bought my first one almost by accident, a creamy off-white piece I spotted while wandering a little beach shop on vacation.
And honestly?
I’ve worn it to death.
There’s something about that loose, hand-knit texture that instantly makes you look like you belong on a sun-soaked terrace somewhere fancy.
The way it lets little slivers of light peek through.
The way it sways when you walk.
It’s just dreamy.
I love that it does double duty, too.
You can wear it open over your swimsuit while you’re sipping something cold.
Then knot it at the waist if you wander off to grab food.
Here’s the emotional reason it works for me.
A cover-up gives you a little armor.
When you feel a bit exposed, slipping into that soft, breezy layer gives you back a sense of control and ease.
My recommendation?
Go for a longer, kimono-style one if you want more coverage, or a cropped version if you love showing a little high-waisted bottom underneath.
A small hack I swear by.
Pick a cover-up in a creamy neutral so it pairs with literally any swimsuit you already own.
One piece, endless combos.
High-Waisted Bottoms Are My Forever Favorite
Let me tell you about the day high-waisted bottoms changed my whole vibe.
I was dreading a pool party, doing that classic stomach-sucking thing.
Then a friend lent me her high-waisted retro set, all soft polka dots and vintage charm.
And I genuinely did not want to take it off.
Something about that higher rise made me feel held in, secure, and so much more relaxed.
I wasn’t tugging.
I wasn’t fidgeting.
I just felt cute, plain and simple.
The emotional pull here is real.
High-waisted bottoms hug your middle and give you this lovely, confident silhouette without any squeezing or fuss.
They nip in at the smallest part of your waist, so you get that soft hourglass shape almost effortlessly.
My personal favorite pairing?
A high-waisted bottom with a simple bandeau or a halter top.
It feels a little retro, a little pin-up, and totally timeless.
Optional variation for you.
If you want extra coverage, look for a “boy short” style high-waist.
It’s playful and sporty, perfect if you actually plan to swim instead of just lounging.
A little tip from me.
Solid colors on the bottom and a printed top balance everything out beautifully.
It draws the eye up and keeps the whole look feeling intentional, not random.
A Flowy Maxi Skirt Over Your Suit (Trust Me on This)
This is the look that makes people ask where you got your outfit.
A flowy maxi skirt thrown right over your swimsuit.
I started doing this when I wanted to bounce between the pool and the patio without feeling half-dressed at the dinner table.
And it’s become such a signature move for me.
There’s something so romantic about a soft skirt catching the breeze.
The way it pools around your ankles when you sit.
The way it twirls just a touch when you turn.
It feels feminine and a little dreamy, you know?
Here’s why I’m obsessed.
A maxi skirt instantly elevates a simple swimsuit top into a real outfit.
Suddenly you’re not “in a swimsuit,” you’re in a look.
That shift does wonders for how confident you feel.
My go-to combo?
A simple triangle bikini top paired with a sheer chiffon maxi in a soft pastel.
It’s barely-there but still feels put together.
A little hack I love.
Choose a skirt with a slit, so you can show a little leg and still move easily.
Optional variation.
If chiffon feels too delicate for you, try a lightweight cotton wrap skirt instead.
It’s more casual, super forgiving, and honestly perfect for a laid-back backyard party.
The Belted Sarong Trick I Learned the Hard Way
Oh, the sarong.
I used to think these were impossible to style.
For years I’d wrap one around my hips, take three steps, and watch the whole thing slide right off.
So embarrassing.
But then I figured out the trick, and now I’m kind of a sarong evangelist.
The secret?
A thin belt.
I take a soft, lightweight sarong, wrap it like a skirt, then cinch it at the waist with a slim woven belt or even a cute braided rope tie.
Game over.
It stays put all day, and it looks so polished.
The reason this works for me is simple.
That little belt creates a defined waist and turns a shapeless wrap into something that actually flatters your figure.
It reads as “styled,” not “thrown on in a hurry.”
My recommendation?
Go for a sarong with a bold print, like tropical leaves or a watercolor floral.
A printed sarong over a solid suit is such an easy, breezy combo.
A small personal tip.
Try wrapping it as a strapless mini dress instead of a skirt for a totally different look.
Same piece, brand new outfit.
Optional variation for the bold among you.
Knot it high on one hip for a thigh-baring slit that feels a little sultry, a little vacation-mode.
Why I Always Pack a Linen Button-Down
This might be the most underrated thing in my pool bag.
An oversized linen button-down shirt.
I borrowed one from my brother years ago, and I genuinely never gave it back.
Sorry, Danny.
There’s just something so easy and chic about a crisp white linen shirt over a swimsuit.
It feels relaxed but intentional.
Coastal, in the best way.
I love how the linen wrinkles slightly and still looks gorgeous.
That lived-in, breezy texture is the whole point.
Here’s the emotional reason I keep reaching for it.
When the sun starts dipping and the air cools, that shirt becomes my cozy little layer.
It bridges the gap between “still by the pool” and “now we’re having drinks and snacks.”
My styling tip?
Leave it mostly unbuttoned and let it hang loose over your high-waisted bottoms.
Or tie the front into a casual knot at your waist for a flirtier shape.
Personal recommendation.
A creamy white or soft sand color is the most versatile, but a pale blue stripe feels so fresh too.
Optional variation.
Roll the sleeves up to the elbow for a more polished look, or push them all the way up if you’re feeling laid-back.
Either way, you’ll look effortlessly cool.
Statement Sunglasses Do So Much Heavy Lifting
Can we talk about sunglasses for a second?
Because I really think they’re the easiest way to look ten times more pulled together.
I learned this when I splurged on one good pair of oversized cat-eye sunnies.
Suddenly every basic swimsuit I owned looked intentional.
Like I’d actually planned my outfit instead of grabbing the first thing I saw.
There’s a little bit of glamour that comes with a great pair of shades.
You instantly feel a touch mysterious, a touch movie-star.
And honestly, they hide the fact that you’re squinting and possibly hungover from last night’s margaritas.
Just me?
Here’s why they work so well.
Sunglasses frame your face and become the focal point.
So even if your swimsuit is the simplest thing ever, your whole look suddenly has personality.
My recommendation?
Choose a frame shape that contrasts your face.
Round faces look amazing in angular frames, and sharper faces soften beautifully with rounder ones.
A personal tip from me.
Go for a fun colored frame, like tortoiseshell, warm amber, or even a soft blush pink.
It adds warmth and looks gorgeous against sun-kissed skin.
Optional variation.
If you love a retro vibe, tiny rectangular frames are so playful and fun.
Just maybe keep a backup pair, because I always sit on mine.
The Power of a Good Straw Hat
I’m a hat person now, and I didn’t see it coming.
For the longest time I thought big straw hats were too much.
Too dramatic.
Too “look at me.”
But then I tried one on at a little market stall, this wide-brimmed woven beauty, and I just felt instantly elegant.
I bought it on the spot.
Now I genuinely feel naked at a pool party without one.
There’s something about the way that brim shades your face.
The way it frames everything so softly.
It makes even a plain bikini feel like a whole vacation aesthetic.
Here’s the emotional bit.
A great hat gives you a sense of glamour and ease at the same time.
You feel protected from the sun, but also like you stepped out of a dreamy summer film.
And, bonus, it saves your skin and your hair from frying.
My personal tip?
One short, one medium, one slightly longer, so they don’t tangle into a sad little knot.
xo, Jenny
