What’s the Only Poolside Look That Actually Works This Summer? The One Piece, Always

Every summer comes with a flood of trends. Crochet bikinis, metallic cover-ups, strappy sandals that look better on a lounge chair than they feel walking down to the beach bar. But somehow, all that noise melts away when you find the right one piece. Not the sporty kind you wore for swim class or the stiff kind you borrowed from your mom in high school. This is the one piece that hugs, lifts, shapes, and transforms—not just how you look, but how you feel.

The one piece is no longer a fallback option. It’s the main event. And this summer, it’s the only thing that really matters when you’re poolside.

Confidence Lives in a One Piece

There’s something about slipping into a one piece that makes your whole energy change. It’s streamlined. It’s powerful. It says, “I came to lounge, but I could absolutely take a meeting right here in the cabana if I had to.” That’s the thing—confidence at the pool isn’t always about showing more skin. It’s about owning your space, whether you’re stretched out on a striped towel or walking slowly back from the water, dripping and divine.

You’ll never go wrong with a sexy one piece bathing suit. It doesn’t ask you to be anyone but yourself, only more sure of her. With the right fit, you don’t feel like you’re constantly adjusting, covering, or comparing. You just wear it—and suddenly the sun feels better, the drink tastes colder, and the summer feels easier.

Texture, Cutouts, and Straps That Know What They’re Doing

Designers have finally figured it out—structure is everything. A one piece doesn’t have to mean simple. In fact, it works best when it surprises you. Think unexpected necklines, bold cutouts in just the right places, and thick shoulder straps that add shape without digging in. Texture plays a huge role too. Ribbing, ruching, mesh overlays—these tiny details do more than catch the light. They draw the eye, sculpt the silhouette, and make a serious case for buying more than one.

Don’t shy away from high-leg cuts or asymmetrical shoulders either. They aren’t just trendy—they create movement and drama without losing function. That’s the sweet spot: style that works without overthinking. Your swimwear should never be a puzzle.

Resort Wear Starts With the Suit

Sure, your sunglasses matter. So does your cover-up. But real resort wear begins with your swimsuit. If you build your look around a bold one piece, everything else falls into place. That straw hat you bought last year? Better. Those oversized linen pants you weren’t sure how to style? Perfect poolside with your suit tucked in like a bodysuit. Even your makeup (or lack of it) feels more intentional when you’re working with a strong base layer.

Because the one piece anchors you. It’s not just the thing you swim in—it’s what pulls your look together whether you’re stepping into the hotel spa or sipping something icy in a plastic cup with a wedge of lime and a paper straw. The vibe is clean, cool, and unbothered. That’s the goal, isn’t it?

Throw-On Layers That Don’t Hide the Look

Once you’ve found the right suit, the last thing you want is to cover it up with something clunky or overcomplicated. Think light. Think open. Think barely-there enough to let the suit shine through while still offering just the right amount of shade. A linen shirt with rolled sleeves, an oversized button-down left unbuttoned, or even a sarong tied low at the hips—all of it should feel effortless.

And please—don’t limit yourself to standard beach cover-ups. A gauzy sundress you already own can be reimagined with wet hair and pool slides. That soft cotton robe from your bathroom? It might actually belong in your beach bag. You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe to play the poolside game. You just need to know what pieces deserve a seat at the lounge chair.

Let Your Hair and Skin Do Less

You’ve already done the hard part: found the suit that makes you feel like yourself. So let the rest of the look follow that energy. Skip the complicated braid tutorials and embrace natural texture. Salt spray is your friend. So is a sunblock that doubles as a highlighter. Dewy is the vibe, not matte. Gloss over lipstick, mist over setting spray, and a slicked-back ponytail if the humidity wins. No one’s judging—this is pool fashion, not prom.

Think of it this way: if your look can’t survive a cannonball, a nap in the shade, and a sweaty walk to the snack bar, it doesn’t belong at the pool. Comfort and style don’t have to be at war, especially not in the summer.

Style Is a Mood, Not a Checklist

Some days you’ll want to lean into bold. Other days, minimal will feel right. The beauty of the one piece is that it lets you decide. It’s not trying to impress anyone—it just holds you up and lets you do your thing. Style isn’t about following rules or hitting trends at the exact right moment. It’s about noticing what makes you feel lit up and then wearing that, unapologetically.

So if that means a black suit with a clean neckline and no bells or whistles, wear it. If it means color, straps, shimmer, or a deep V that makes you feel powerful and at peace, go there. The only wrong move is choosing something that doesn’t feel like you.

Wear the One That Lets You Breathe

Let the bikinis battle it out for likes on the feed. The one piece is having a moment, and it’s not going anywhere. It’s for the woman who wants to sit by the pool and read, then suddenly join a game of volleyball without changing. It’s for the one who doesn’t need to be the loudest to be noticed. The one who knows exactly who she is, even if she’s still figuring it out one pool day at a time.

Start with the suit. Everything else will follow.

xoxo