Las Vegas Dresses — Pool Party, Club & Dinner Outfits

Vegas is three different dress codes in one day, and the mistake everyone makes is packing for only one of them. A dayclub wants swimwear and a cover-up. A nightclub wants something that looks deliberate and will not get you turned away at the door. Dinner and a show sit between the two. You cannot wear the pool outfit to the club — every Vegas guide says the same thing, and the door staff agree.

Dayclub and pool party

Swimwear is the baseline, and a cover-up is not optional — you need one to walk through the casino to get there. A kaftan goes on over a wet swimsuit without a fight, which a fitted dress will not: the Mor Kaftan Wrap Kimono at $178 in organic cotton, or the BellaDonna Kimono at $198 in printed georgette. Belt either one and it reads as a dress for lunch afterwards. See all cover-ups and kaftans.

Nightclub

Women have more latitude than men here, as long as the outfit looks intentional. Cocktail dresses, bodycon and elevated minis all clear the door; athletic wear, flip-flops and casual trainers are what get people turned away. Heels are expected.

The Alice Black Sparkle Off-Shoulder Mini at $298 is the obvious one — black from a distance, gold and cobalt up close. The hand-beaded Bella Cocktail Dress at $298 has art-deco glass beadwork, and the Jewel Party Dress at $258 is hand-beaded black net. For sequins, the Ruby Sequin Dress is $98. The Serena Long Sleeve Bodycon at $158 covers the arms for an over-cold room.

Dinner, a show, or a bachelorette

This is the most useful dress of the trip, because it has to work from an 8pm reservation through to wherever the night goes. A printed mini or midi does it: the Versailles Pink Printed Mini Shirt Dress at $258, the Pia Pink Mini at $298, the Marrakech Mini at $298, or the Casablanca Hot Pink Pinstripe Wrap Midi at $298.

For a residency, a steakhouse or a 30th that deserves it, go floor length: Hera Black One-Shoulder Maxi at $358, Gia Black Maxi at $378, or Opal Black Wrap at $378.

Five things Vegas does to an outfit

Casinos are freezing. They run far colder than the street, year round. Bring a layer or choose sleeves — you will be inside for hours.

You will walk much further than you think. A single hotel can be half a mile end to end, and the Strip is longer than it looks. Pack one pair of heels for the night and something you can genuinely walk in for everything else.

You cannot go pool to club. They are different outfits and a full change is required. Plan two looks per day, not one.

Dry heat is brutal in summer. Cotton and viscose breathe. Anything synthetic and fitted will not be enjoyable at 108 degrees.

You will be photographed constantly. A print survives a camera roll better than a plain black dress that looks identical in every shot.

Sizes, fit and delivery

Most styles run XS to 3XL, and any piece can be made to your measurements for $50 to $100 above retail. Check the size chart first. Prices run $98 to $378. Free US shipping over $250, Afterpay available, shipped from Scottsdale, Arizona in 1 to 3 business days — and Scottsdale to Vegas is a short hop, so last-minute orders usually land in time.

Shop related: party dresses · mini dresses · bodycon dresses · cover-ups and kaftans · black dresses · holiday party dresses · resort evening wear · plus size XS to 3XL

Read next: the full what to wear in Las Vegas guide · girls night out outfits · how to get dressed up in five minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a woman wear to a Las Vegas nightclub?
A cocktail dress, bodycon or an elevated mini, with heels. Women have more flexibility than men as long as the outfit looks intentional. What gets people turned away is athletic wear, sportswear, flip-flops and casual running shoes. Fashion sneakers are a gamble and depend on the venue and the door.

What do you wear to a Vegas pool party?
Swimwear as the base, with a cover-up or kaftan for walking through the hotel and casino — most properties expect you covered indoors. Sandals are fine on the deck. The common mistakes are wearing athletic shorts or a sports bra instead of actual swimwear.

Can you wear the same outfit from the pool to the club?
No. Dayclubs and nightclubs have genuinely different dress codes and you will need to change. Plan two outfits for any day that includes both, and remember the casino is cold even when the pool deck is 105 degrees.

What should I wear to dinner and a show in Vegas?
A printed mini or midi, or a floor-length dress for a residency or a steakhouse. Dinner sits between pool and club in formality, so a dress that works at 8pm and still works at midnight saves you a change. Bring a layer — show venues and restaurants run cold.

How do I dress for Vegas in summer?
Cotton and viscose, which breathe, and loose rather than fitted. Daytime temperatures regularly exceed 105 degrees and the heat is dry, so synthetic fabrics are uncomfortable outdoors. Then bring a layer for indoors, because the air conditioning is aggressive.