Resort wear for women: what to wear
A linen dress or trousers + top + sandals + hat.
Warm-weather holidays, cruises, resort restaurants.
- When
- Any time
- Trousers for women
- Yes
- Jeans
- Depends
- Sneakers
- Depends
Three outfit ideas
Poolside
A kaftan over a swimsuit, a straw hat and sandals.
Dinner
A white linen maxi dress and gold jewellery.
Town
Linen shorts, a shirt and espadrilles.
What to wear
- Linen trousers and shirts
- Kaftans, maxi dresses
Shoes
Sandals, espadrilles.
Accessories
A straw bag, sunglasses, a hat.
What to avoid
- Synthetics in the heat
Colours
White, sand, light colours.
Fabrics
In summer
Natural fabrics, loose cuts, sun protection.
In winter
For a winter trip somewhere warm: layers for the flight, light clothes on arrival.
Details that make the difference
- Casual clothes look expensive when the fabrics are good: quality knits, heavier cotton, real leather.
- One structured piece (a blazer, a coat, a leather bag) instantly lifts an outfit a level.
- White sneakers must actually be white – dirty ones drag the whole outfit down.
- Jean length: at or just above the ankle with open shoes, slightly longer with ankle boots.
About resort wear
Holiday elegance: light, loose pieces in natural fabrics that go from the pool to dinner. Fashion houses began making 'resort' collections in the early 20th century for wealthy clients wintering in warm places. Today it's both a style and a season on the fashion calendar.
Dressy casual for women
A midi dress or dressy trousers with a top + heels or dressy sandals.
Other codes for women
Frequently asked
01Resort wear: can women wear trousers?
Yes – elegant trousers or a trouser suit are perfectly fine.
02Resort wear: are jeans OK?
It depends on the place: dark jeans with a blazer are sometimes accepted, but trousers are the safer choice.
03Resort wear: are sneakers OK?
Only minimalist leather sneakers without logos, and only in relaxed settings; running shoes, no.
04What is resort wear?
Light holiday clothes for warm climates; also the name of fashion houses' between-season collections.