What to Wear at a Resort: From Daytime Sunhats to Evening Mini Bags

Navigating the Resortwear Dress Code

When you’re escaping the cold to get a little taste of summer sun, sand and warm breeze, the last thing you’ll want is to worry about a wardrobe fail at your hotel’s restaurant. Resort dress codes are sometimes really vague, but generally they fall into one of these categories.

The good news is that you don’t need a separate suitcase for each. By choosing the right resortwear ideas, especially when it comes to accessories, you can fit the dress code for the whole week or two, or however long you’ll be staying, while packing light.

Resort Casual - Daytime Standard

Resort casual outfits will be your go-to for breakfast, poolside longing and souvenir shopping. The vibe is relaxed, breathable, and sun-ready. Swimsuits are generally allowed, but only with a coverup. Your accessory best friend will be a sarong. High-quality printed sarongs are perfect for transitioning your bikini into a “skirt” that’s suitable for a casual seaside lunch. 

Additionally, you can transform your sarong into a midi skirt or a mini dress, providing even more styling options with just one piece of clothing. Pair your sarong cover-up with an oversized beach tote to keep your winter skin protected with a UPF-protecting sun hat. 

Resort Evening - The Sunset Transition

This is the most common answer to what to wear at a resort in the evenings. It’s a step up from your beach day outfit, moving it toward a bar before dinner outfit. The vibe for this outfit is still polished, but in a relaxed manner. For evening resort wear, we recommend switching your flip-flops for straw sandals or anything else that’s more versatile. Switch out your swimsuit for linen trousers or a sundress, or a polished yet slightly casual beach shirt tucked into high-waisted shorts.

Your go-to accessory for evening resortwear will be a minibag or clutch!

Elegant Casual - Country Club Vibe

If the resort has a fine-dining restaurant, this is likely the requirement. It’s also known as “Casual Chic”. The vibe for this look is sophisticated and upscale, don’t reach for sneakers, denim and t-shirts. Instead Opt for a blouse, silk items, or a midi dress. Of course, this will differentiate from resort to resort. We trust that you know if your resort is more of a luxurious one or has a more laid-back vibe.

Your go-to accessory for elegant, casual resortwear will be a silk scarf or a statement piece of jewelry. 

Pro tip: If you aren’t sure about the dress code for your resort, your accessories will act as your safety net. A glamorous minibag and a belt can transform your light and airy sundress from a beach-ready look into a luxe, elevated one, for example.

The Daytime "Hero" Resortwear Accessories 

During the day, your accessories need to be functional enough for the sun but stylish enough for a lobby walkthrough.

1. The Multitasking Sarong

The sarong will be the most powerful piece in your resortwear-packed suitcase. It will save you a lot of space, since it’s so practically weightless and serves multiple purposes.

• The Look: Try to look for a sarong in a high-quality fabric such as cotton-silk blend or chiffon. 

• How to Style: It will serve a different purpose depending on how you tie it. Tie it low on your hips, not folded in half for a midi or a maxi skirt, suitable for walks on the beach or wrap it around your chest or neck if you’re in need of a mini dress. This option is perfect when heading to the indoor areas of your resort.

• Why it’s a Hero: It will gap a bridge between your swimwear and actual clothing.

 2. The Structured Beach Bag

A structured bag is the centrepiece of a vacation wardrobe. It holds your essentials, looks good when you’re carrying it around, and when you place it next to your lounge chair.

• The Look: Opt for variations made from premium raffia or woven straw. 

• How to Style: Pair a structured tote with a flowing sarong or an unbuttoned beach shirt. The contrast between the crisp lines of the bag and the natural flowiness of your shirt or dress will create a balanced aesthetic.

• Why it’s a Hero: It is the ultimate transition piece. It will look just as appropriate in a hotel lobby as it will on the beach or by the pool.

Evening Elevation: What to Wear After Sunset

When the sun sets, your accessories should scale down in size and up in sophistication

3. The "Micro" Bag & Luxe Clutch

The giant tote stays in the room. If you’re still wondering what to wear to a resort in the evening, mini bags are it! Having a great minibag will help you with styling for the entirety of your stay. 

• The Look: Small-scale statement pieces featuring fine-weave raffia, gem accents and intricate beading. Choose a structured top-handle mini bag or a handheld clutch; when a piece is crafted with a true focus on artisanal detail, the quality speaks for itself.

• How to Style: Wear your minibag with a linen maxi dress or a silk slip, and make sure to match your jewelry to the hardware of your bag - if it has any. Luxury is in the details. That’s an excellent way to achieve a cohesive resort evening look.

• Why it’s a Hero: It’s the ultimate dress code hack, as you can basically wear the same outfit to lunch and dinner, if you simply elevate your dinner outfit with a minibag.

4. The Beach Shirt as an Evening Layer

Don’t pack away your linen shirts at 5:00 PM. A high-quality beach shirt can be the tailored element that will work perfectly for a moonlit dinner by the water. 

• The Look: Look for sheer natural blends of fabric, and patterns that you normally feel confident in, or opt for solid color such as ivory, deep navy or sand.

• How to Style: For a look that matches a resort evening dresscode, tie the beach shirt at your waist over a sleek midi skirt or high-waisted silk or linen trousers.  You can wear the sleeves cuffed or uncuffed - it depends on whether you want to show off your bracelets for the evening.

• Why it’s a Hero: It’s light enough so you won’t be hot wearing it during the day, but it will still act as a thin layer in the evenings, when the temperatures can feel breezy at times.

The Finishing Touches: Hats & Sun Protection

A sunhat will do more than just shield you from the harsh sun - it is also a signature style that will set your entire look. Let’s look at some sunhat options.

The Classic Packable Wide-Brim Straw Hat

Classic poolside look, with maximum drama and shade.

• The Look: Large brims designed with high-quality flexible straw that can fold right up into your suitcase, while still holding its shape.

• How to Style: Pair this with a flowing sarong or a beach dress that’s almost breezing over the floor and a large pair of sunglasses. So dramatic, perfect for a luxurious getaway.

• Why it’s a Must Have: Provides a lot of shade surface area, while making a simple swimsuit outfit feel designer.

The Modern Canvas Sunhat

A minimalist’s dream, the canvas hat is a versatile staple for a resort wardrobe.

• The Look: Crafted from cotton or linen, you’ll find hats in a structured bucket or boater shape. These are crushable and machine-washable, plus they’ll still hold the shape after.

• How to Style: Lean into the “clean girl” aesthetic and style a neutral colored one with an oversized beach shirt and simple hoop earrings in gold or silver. Perfect for a day of exploring town or a boat trip.

• Why it’s a Must Have: this is the most durable packable option. You can carry it around in your large beach bag, and it will still look great when you decide to wear it later.

Summary: The Essential Accessories Checklist

• Sarongs are the most versatile item you can bring with you on your trip. They can transform instantly from a skirt to a dress in seconds.

• Beach shirts are a great option for layering in the tropical heat. They can elevate your bikini, or make an evening outfit more casual.

• Mini bags are an essential for a day spent in a bar or for evenings. They can keep your look polished and will prevent the tourist bulk.

• Large straw tote will be a go-to for day trips, and are the perfect carry-on on the plane. They can also hold everything while maintaining a luxe aesthetic.

• Packable Sun hats are the perfect accessory that save space and add an elevated touch to any daytime or evening look. Besides, they also add SPF protection.