14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (2024)

It wasn’t that long ago that resortwear as a category didn’t really exist for men. We put whatever summer pieces we had in a suitcase alongside some swimming shorts, stuck a straw hat on and headed to the airport.

Thankfully we’re a more discerning bunch now and see the value in looking and feeling as good on vacation as we do at home. Lazing away the days between poolsides and restaurants requires a unique set of aesthetic qualities so we’ve spotlighted the key elements to a concise and compact holiday wardrobe.

With this set of resortwear in your carry-on, you’ll have every style box ticked, from horizontal days on the beach to the post-dinner club.

Tailored Swim Shorts

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (1)
Bulldog Night Iris/Cloud Seglas Jacquard Mid-Length Swim Shorts
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (2)
The Resort Co Tailored Swim Shorts Ebru

For great swim shorts inspiration, you have to travel back in time to the 50s and 60s, when the likes of Cary Grant was gracing the Cannes promenade in To Catch a Thief. Or there’s the iconic image of Dustan Hoffman reading on a pool float in The Graduate, in a similarly understated pair.

The neatly tailored style cut with a sleek leg is as chic and timeless as they come, perfect for hopping from beach to restaurant with a linen shirt without feeling underdressed. Orlebar Brown set the benchmark for modern styles when they first launched their Bulldog short in 2007, but you’ll find plenty of resortwear brands offering sleek tailored styles these days.

Terry Cloth Polo

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (3)
Aurelien Light Blue Terry Towelling Polo Shirt
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (4)
Hamilton And Hare Polo Shirt Short Sleeve – Eucalyptus Terry

Terry towelling is having a resurgence now – the only surprise is why it ever fell out of favour. It is woven with a loop yarn in the pick and normal chain, which means the looped ends stand up to create a super soft and very absorbent fabric.

This makes it perfect for poolside lounging, of course, but it’s just a great lightweight tactile fabric that adds a unique textural quality to your holiday outfits. While it works well in the form of polo shirts and tees, you can also find some excellent softly tailored options in the form of terry blazers by the likes of Oliver Spencer and Armor Lux.

Cuban Collar Shirt

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (5)
ISTO Camp-Collar Linen
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (6)
Hamilton And Hare Pique Open Collar Shirt – Cloud Blue

Just like the guayabera shirt before it, the iconic Cuban collar shirt has been part of the Caribbean island’s menswear culture forever, but has only really seen a resurgence in the West in the last few years.

Now, it’s a non-negotiable piece of summer kit, thanks to that structureless collar that nonchalantly flaps open at the chest. You’ll find no shortage of lightweight cotton and linen styles (as well as some plush silk options too) that you can pair with tailored shorts and loafers for a smart vibe, or keep it relaxed with chinos and sandals.

With plain styles, go for interesting textural fabrications such as waffle knits or seersucker, whereas on the patterned side you’ll find endless options to give your seasonal wardrobe that slice of Caribbean cool.

Resort Collar Polo

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (7)
A Day’s March Greylock Jersey Polo
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (8)
Hamilton And Hare Easy Polo – Navy Cotton

While the classic two- or three-button placket polo is a very useful piece of resortwear kit, the resort collar just adds that extra bit of off-duty seasoning. The resort collar is by definition, any collar with a medium spread and no stand so that it naturally sits open and flat to the chest, rather like a bowling shirt.

The absence of buttons reaffirms the informality of it, making it ideal to wear with tailored swim shorts by day, or a pair of tapered chinos and loafers for a chic summer evening vibe. Textural styles in terry cloth and linen add an extra dimension to the polo, whereas smooth cotton jersey provides a smarter vibe.

Espadrilles

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (9)
Aurelien Grey Beachside Loafer
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (10)
The Resort Co Espadrilles Olive Suede

Peasant footwear since the 14th century, espadrilles were made all over the Basque region of Spain and Occitania in France. Notable for the soft canvas upper and esparto rope sole, the espadrille is still going strong after 700 odd years, reinventing itself as a comfortably chic summer shoe and a casual alternative to open-toe sandals and the like.

The aforementioned peasants would be confused to find that the modern-day espadrille has become the choice shoe for smart casual summer style, whether rolling up to the beach in a pair, or dressing down a smart evening look.

Linen Trousers

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (11)
L’Estrange London The 24 Trouser Linen
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (12)
Luca Faloni Lipari Linen Trousers

Nothing comes close to linen for lightweight breathability, which are exactly the characteristics you need in your summer trousers. Besides being very sustainable (flax crops are typically irrigated with rain water, unlike cotton crops), linen has natural slubs in the cloth which give it that subtle textural quality.

A dynamic fabric, it works well cut in wide-leg trouser styles, but is equally smart as a more tapered suit separate. Very easy to be dressed up or down with sandals or loafers respectively, opt for light-coloured neutral tones as a sophisticated backdrop for brighter resort polos, shirts and tees.

Linen Shirt

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (13)
Luca Faloni Ravello Linen Shirt
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (14)
Aurelien White Linen Seaside Shirt

Much like the aforementioned linen trousers, the linen shirt is a key element to a sophisticated resort wardrobe. Aside from the already lauded properties of linen, this shirt swaps the stiff stand collar of its cotton cousin in favour of a much more relaxed soft roll collar.

Versatility is its forté, since you can wear it with a blazer for a smart summer look, or over your swim shorts and espadrilles for more of a bohemian beach vibe. The white option is the classic, while pastel tones and rich blues also style up well.

The Perfect Plain Tee

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (15)
L’Estrange London The Tailored Tee Organic
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (16)
Asket The T-Shirt

An invaluable part of the modern resort wardrobe, the simple white T-shirt is not to be underrated. It can hold its own as a casual poolside layer on the one hand, and chic underlayer for evening tailoring on the other.

That’s not to say any old white tee will do – seek out heavyweight cotton jersey in a relaxed fit for a more polished finish, while knitted merino tees are also a good option for wearing with tailoring in the evening (but probably not practical during the day).

Linen and linen blends are another excellent choice, but the slubby finish of linen doesn’t make it quite as clean cut as the classic cotton style.

Minimalist Sneakers

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (17)
Uniform Standard Series 1 Original White Leather
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (18)
Zespa ZSP4 Apla Nappa White/Navy

When it comes to resortwear sneakers, leave your hype kicks at home and opt for a pair of sleek minimalist pumps instead, simply because they are that much more versatile. You can wear them with shorts and a polo by day, and chinos and a linen shirt in the warm evenings.

Go for pared-back white leather styles by the likes of Uniform Standard or excellent new French brand Zespà.

Seersucker Blazer

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (19)
Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Soft Seersucker Suit Jacket
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (20)
Boglioli Slim-Fit Unstructured Cotton-Seersucker Blazer

It was a hard call between the linen blazer and the seersucker style but the latter got the nod for its laidback textural quality. The seersucker suit was born in New Orleans in 1909 at the hands of haberdasher Joseph Haspel. It takes its name from the Persian words شیر shîr and شکر shakar, literally meaning ‘milk and sugar’, from the resemblance of its smooth and rough stripes (the dimples of which allow air to flow and thus keep you cool).

When shopping for a blazer, make sure you stick to unstructured styles with a relaxed natural drape. Navy, ivory and pastel tones are all good considerations for a resort wardrobe, as well as the classic pinstripe style.

Pool Slides

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (21)
Air Jordan Break Slide
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (22)
Gucci GG-Embossed Slides

The ultimate vacation slip-on, pool sliders have somehow slip-slopped their way into everyday streetwear with teenagers around the globe adopting the white-sock-and-slide vibe. That has not stopped luxury brands from proliferating this most simple of resort footwear into the menswear consciousness with logo-laced plastic forms or more sophisticated leather styles.

The Aquatic Watch

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (23)
Tudor Black Bay S&G
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (24)
Timex Navi XL Automatic 41mm Stainless Steel and Leather Watch

Given that most of us spend our holidays in short sleeves or at the very least with sleeves rolled up, our wrist furniture is there for all to see. What’s more, the constant dipping in and out of the pool or the sea requires a timepiece rugged enough to withstand the water, but smart enough that you don’t need to change it when dressed up in the evening.

This equation has a number of answers, depending on your budget. At the top end of the scale, Rolex’s Submariner, TAG Heuer’s Aquaracer, Omega’s Seamaster, Tudor’s Black Bay and just about anything from Panerai will give you peace of mind when in the water, while Timex’s Navi, Seiko’s Prospex and Oris’s 65 all offer excellent value.

The Sunglasses

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (25)
Persol 714SM – Steve McQueen
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (26)
Ray Ban Original Wayfarer Classic

Sunglasses are a balance of personal preference and face shape so we’re not going to say that one style is better than another, but when it comes to sophisticated resortwear, you’ll always be on the money in retro-styled frames such as Wayfarers and aviators, both of which will complement a relaxed holiday wardrobe.

Naturally, eyewear specialists have created myriad spins on the classics, but the key things to look out for are Italian acetate, quality hardwear and superior protective lenses.

Tote Bag

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (27)
Bennett Winch Leather Tote
14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (28)
Mismo M/S Seaside

The final piece of the resortwear puzzle is the tote bag. Sleek and yet boasting plenty of volume for your wallet, tech and whatever else you need to traffic around, the tote is an elegantly casual bag with a simple, clean silhouette.

Canvas styles are great for the beach or the pool whereas elevated options in leather or suede add more than a touch of luxury to your look. For a more contemporary style, opt for edgier nylon totes.

14 Resort Wear Pieces All Men Should Have In Their Vacation Wardrobe (2024)

FAQs

What is resort wear for men? ›

Men should plan to wear dressier shorts, pants or nice jeans with a polo or other collared shirt. T-shirts, sleeveless shirts, shorts, are not typically acceptable. Women can choose a casual dress or pair a blouse with a nice pair of jeans, slacks, or a skirt.

What do men wear at all inclusive resorts? ›

Women are usually required to wear a dress, or long pants with a blouse whilst the men must wear long pants or shorts with a collarless shirt, polo shirt, or collared shirt. For both, some sort of nice looking shoes or sandals is also needed.

What is the meaning of resort wear? ›

Generally speaking, resort wear is a style of clothing that is dressier than casual, but not as formal as business or business casual dress codes. Resort-style clothing is meant to be comfortable and relaxing. Brings the vacation to you wherever you are with bight lightweight fabrics and flowy, effortless styles.

How much clothing should a man have? ›

A versatile wardrobe for most men typically includes around 5-7 pairs of pants, 10-15 shirts, a few blazers or jackets, and a selection of accessories like ties and, of course, suspenders to add flair and functionality.

What is a resort wear collection? ›

A cruise collection or resort collection or resort wear sometimes also holiday or travel collection (collection croisière, in French), is an inter-season or pre-season line of ready-to-wear clothing produced by a fashion house or fashion brand in addition to the recurrent biannual seasonal collections — spring/summer ...

What is the resort casual dress code? ›

Resort casual Style may normally refer to polo style shirts, sundresses, linen pants, skorts, skirts, button up tops, nice shorts, and dresses. Nothing fancy, but not just t-shirts and jeans either. Do not wear cutoffs and tank tops for sure!

What is the dress code for sandals resorts for men? ›

Resort Casual: Shorts or jeans, t–shirts or polo shirts. Swimwear must be covered. Shirts and footwear required. Resort Evening: Dress pants or jeans for men, long or short sleeve dress shirts (with or without collar).

What to wear at an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic for men? ›

A lot of all-inclusive resorts have dress codes, especially at dinner time. Many require men to wear long pants, collared shirts and/or close-toed shoes. Without the proper attire you may be stuck eating at the buffet every night.

What do men wear to travel? ›

If the weather is particularly warm, you can opt for tailored shorts, however, most flights can become quite cool, so it's best to stick with long pants. For short flights, stick to stylish sneakers or boots. You want your feet to stay as comfortable as possible, so wearing sneakers is an easy win for stylish comfort.

What is the meaning of vacation wear? ›

It caters to the needs of customers who are planning to travel to warm, tropical locations during the winter holidays or early spring, meaning the clothing usually consists of lightweight, comfortable, and versatile pieces to mix and match for different occasions.

What does it mean when a resort is all-inclusive? ›

By Kylie Morrow | February 9th 2021. An all-inclusive vacation is a vacation that includes all the essentials in the booking price. Besides accommodation, you can expect food, drinks, activities, and entertainment to be included, without having to pay extra for it.

What does a resort usually have? ›

Resort amenities include things like restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos, spas, shops among others. Most resorts have a wide variety of restaurants and (swim-up) bars on property to cater a variation of cuisines during their guests' stay.

How should a 70 year old man dress? ›

The same basic principles of dressing well apply to older men as to the younger – stay in shape, wear clothes that fit but don't constrict, wear colors that flatter your hair and skin tones, and wear something that is activity appropriate while still looking better than all the other men in the room.

What is the 333 capsule wardrobe method? ›

The 333 styling method, born out of Courtney Carver's Project 333, is a minimalist fashion challenge that prompts individuals to curate a wardrobe consisting of only 33 items to be worn over the course of 3 months.

How many pieces of clothing should a person have? ›

According to a report referenced by Vogue in 2022 that leans on sustainability goals, “The researchers found that a “sufficient” wardrobe consists of 74 garments and 20 outfits in total.

What does resort fit mean? ›

Your cruise collection, resort wear, or vacation wardrobe is going to consist of clothes that are more laid back, comfy, and breathable while still being chic. Especially if you are heading to a warm, tropical climate, your resort-wear suitcase will hold loosely fitting, flowy garments.

Why is it called resort in fashion? ›

These interim shows that we know as Resort collections or Cruise collections originally started for the wealthy clients. The clients would go on a vacation around the Mediterranean Sea during wintertime. Stores would be filled with coats and boots during winter.

What is resort attire for a wedding? ›

The most common beach wedding outfits for men include a button-down shirt, slacks or chinos and a suit jacket or blazer if it's a formal ceremony. Flowy maxis and midis are common beach wedding guest dresses for women, but jumpsuits and dressy separates are also appropriate choices.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6398

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.