Too casual

Beachwear

Swimsuits · flip-flops · sarongs

✦ The sweet spot

Resort Casual

Dresses · kaftans · sandals · wraps

Too formal

Cocktail Attire

Cocktail dresses · heels · formal bags

🏨 Luxury Resorts & Hotels

For daytime dining, lobby bars, pool areas (with coverage), and common areas. Most 5-star resorts enforce this code informally — guests who turn up to breakfast in swimwear may be asked to add coverage.

🚢 Cruise Ships

Most cruise lines use "resort casual" and "cruise casual" interchangeably for non-formal nights. Both mean polished but relaxed — dresses, blouses with trousers, dressy separates. Formal nights require elevated attire. See our cruise wear dress code guide.

⛳ Country Clubs & Golf Resorts

For dining rooms, clubhouses, social events, and poolside lounges. Country clubs often have the strictest interpretation of resort casual — no bare midriffs, no athletic wear, covered shoulders in the dining room.

🍽️ Upscale Restaurants

Especially at beach destinations and tropical locations where resort casual doubles as the local evening standard. In places like St Barts, Mykonos, or Cabo, this is simply how people dress for dinner.

🌊 Beach Weddings & Resort Events

Many destination wedding couples specify resort casual or "beach chic" — they want guests to look beautiful but not overdressed in the sand. A printed maxi or wrap dress is almost always the perfect choice.

01

Printed Maxi Dress

The undisputed resort casual MVP. A maxi dress in a bold or tropical print is vacation-ready from breakfast to sunset dinner — just swap sandals for wedges. Choose breathable cotton, chiffon, or a lightweight cotton-silk blend.

02

Kaftan or Tunic Dress

A printed kaftan is the definition of resort casual done right. It moves beautifully, works over swimwear for pool-to-bar transitions, breathes in heat, and looks intentional rather than casual. The gold standard of poolside resort dressing.

03

Wrap Dress

The wrap dress is the resort casual workhorse — it flatters every body type, transitions from day to dinner, and comes in an infinite variety of prints and fabrics. A wrap midi with sandals covers every resort casual occasion you'll encounter.

04

Linen or Breezy Midi Dress

Linen is the fabric of resort travel. Lightweight, breathable, beautifully textured — a well-cut linen midi dress in a solid colour or simple print is resort casual across all settings, from beachside lunch to hotel bar.

05

Kimono Over Separates

A printed silk kimono over a cami and linen trousers instantly creates a resort casual outfit that looks considered. Kimonos are the secret weapon of resort dressing — endlessly versatile and inherently polished.

06

Sundress with Sandals

For daytime resort casual, a sundress is perfectly appropriate — especially if it has a defined silhouette (not a shapeless shift) and is made in quality fabric. Pair with espadrilles, leather sandals, or block-heeled mules to elevate the look.

07

Dressy Shorts Set

At most resort settings, a tailored shorts set or matching co-ord in a quality fabric (linen, silk, cotton-poplin) qualifies as resort casual for daytime occasions. This works particularly well at outdoor lunches and pool decks — less so for cruise ship dining rooms.

❌ Avoid These

• Swimwear without coverage — unless specifically poolside
• Athletic or gym wear — leggings, sports bras, running shoes
• Flip-flops at dinner — sandals yes, rubber flip-flops no
• Ripped, distressed, or very casual denim
• Very revealing cuts — micro-minis, sheer without lining
• Logo-heavy streetwear — hoodies, graphic tees, trainers

✅ Always Welcome

• Maxi, midi, or sundresses in quality fabrics
• Kaftans and tunic dresses with sandals
• Wrap dresses in prints or solids
• Dressy separates — silk blouse with linen trousers
• Bold colour and print — encouraged, not avoided
• Statement jewellery and a sun hat for daytime

🚢 Cruise Ship Casual Night

A midi or maxi dress in a quality fabric is ideal. Wrap dresses, printed kaftans, or a silk blouse with tailored trousers all work. Heels are not required — block-heeled sandals or wedges are perfectly appropriate. Avoid shorts in the dining room.

⛳ Country Club Lunch

Country clubs tend toward the more conservative end of resort casual. Knee-length or longer is safer. Covered shoulders in the dining room. Avoid shorts unless explicitly permitted. A wrap midi or printed A-line dress with ballet flats or low wedges is the gold standard.

🌴 Resort Pool Deck

A kaftan or tunic over your swimsuit is the perfect pool deck resort casual outfit. It provides meaningful coverage, looks polished, and transitions effortlessly to the poolside bar. A sun hat and statement sunglasses complete the picture.

🌊 Beach Wedding

A printed maxi or flowy midi in a rich colour is perfect. Skip the stilettos (sand is not kind to heels) and opt for block wedges, metallic sandals, or dressy flats. Avoid white and very pale champagne. A bold tropical print in coral, cobalt, or emerald reads beautifully in beach photographs.

👗 Clothing

• 2–3 printed maxi dresses
• 1 wrap midi for versatility
• 1–2 kaftans (pool + dinner)
• 1 silk kimono (layering)
• 1 dressier option for special evenings

👡 Shoes

• Leather or woven flat sandals
• Low wedge or block heel sandal
• Espadrilles (versatile)
• Water shoes or rubber sandals for beach

✨ Accessories

• Wide-brim sun hat
• Statement earrings × 2
• Woven or structured clutch
• Light wrap or shawl for evenings
• Quality sunglasses