Dress codes · Resort
What Is the Resort Casual Dress Code?
Relaxed holiday clothes that look right in the restaurant, not just by the pool
Resort casual means relaxed holiday clothing that still looks polished enough for restaurants, bars, lounges and other shared resort spaces. It is more dressed-up than pool or beachwear, but less formal than smart casual, cocktail or resort evening attire.
The safest interpretation: comfortable holiday clothes that look intentional rather than clothes you have just worn at the beach. Think linen shirts, polos, neat shorts, lightweight trousers, casual dresses, skirts, relaxed jumpsuits, sandals, loafers and clean sneakers.
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The safe choice for resort casual
If a hotel or resort simply says resort casual, these are reliable choices:
Men
Tailored shorts or lightweight trousers with a polo, linen shirt or casual button-up, and loafers, sandals or clean sneakers.
Women
A casual dress, skirt and top, linen trousers, tailored shorts or a relaxed jumpsuit, with sandals, flats or neat sneakers.
Gender-neutral
Lightweight trousers or neat shorts with a polo, T-shirt, overshirt or linen shirt, and polished casual footwear.
You generally do not need a jacket, tie, heels or formal eveningwear. You should, however, change out of wet swimwear and obvious beach clothes before heading into a restaurant or bar.
Resort casual at a glance
| Can you wear… | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Shorts | Usually, yes. Tailored or linen shorts, not board shorts or gym shorts, for restaurants. |
| Jeans | Clean jeans are acceptable, but heavy in tropical heat. Linen trousers or chinos are more comfortable. |
| Thongs | Often during the day. Sandals, loafers or clean shoes are safer in the evening. |
| Sneakers | Usually. Clean sneakers fit resort casual at most properties. |
| A T-shirt | Yes, when the setting is relaxed. Step up to a polo or linen shirt for dinner. |
| Swimwear | At the pool or beach. Elsewhere, usually not by itself. |
| A jacket or tie | Not needed unless the venue specifies a dressier code. |
What does resort casual actually allow?
Resort casual is most commonly associated with relaxed holiday settings, particularly coastal and warm-weather resorts. It commonly includes:
- linen shirts, polo shirts and plain T-shirts
- tailored shorts, chinos and lightweight trousers
- casual dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and coordinated resort sets
- sandals, loafers and clean sneakers
The important distinction is between resort casual and actual beachwear. A swimsuit with a cover-up may be completely appropriate beside the pool. It does not automatically become suitable for dinner simply because you are still inside the resort.
Resort casual can overlap with ordinary casual dress, but resort restaurants and evening spaces often expect a slightly more polished version.
What is resort casual for men?
For men, resort casual is usually simple. Good combinations include:
- linen shirt with tailored shorts and sandals
- knit polo with chinos and loafers
- lightweight trousers with a casual short-sleeve shirt
- plain T-shirt with neat shorts and clean sneakers
- open-collar shirt with linen trousers for an evening meal
A shirt does not need to be tucked in, particularly if it is designed to be worn loose. The overall outfit should simply look neat enough for wherever you are going within the resort.
Can men wear shorts?
Usually, yes. Shorts are completely normal at many tropical and coastal resorts. Tailored, linen or neat casual shorts are safer for restaurants than board shorts or gym shorts. If the resort has a more formal evening restaurant, trousers may be expected instead.
What is resort casual for women?
Good options include:
- a simple day dress
- a relaxed midi or maxi dress
- linen trousers with a top
- tailored shorts with a blouse or T-shirt
- a skirt and lightweight shirt
- a casual jumpsuit
- a coordinated two-piece set
Flat sandals, slides, espadrilles, sneakers and other comfortable shoes can all work depending on the setting. A straw bag carries sunscreen and a layer for the air conditioning.
You do not need heels or dressy eveningwear unless the resort specifies a more formal code.
Gender-neutral resort casual outfits
Resort casual is particularly flexible. Useful combinations include:
- linen trousers with a relaxed shirt
- tailored shorts with a polo
- a coordinated shirt-and-short set
- a relaxed jumpsuit
- chinos with a plain T-shirt and overshirt
- wide-leg trousers with a lightweight structured top
Choose breathable fabrics and silhouettes that suit the climate while still looking presentable. Clean white leather sneakers work with almost all of them.
Can you wear swimwear?
At the pool or beach, of course. In other parts of the resort, usually not by itself.
Many resorts expect guests to cover swimwear when entering restaurants, bars, reception areas and shops. A proper cover-up may be enough for a poolside café, but a full casual outfit is safer for indoor dining.
If the resort publishes a dress policy, follow that rather than assuming all shared areas have the same standard.
Thongs, sneakers and T-shirts
Can you wear thongs?
Often during the day. Thongs are normal around pools, beaches and very relaxed resort areas, particularly in Australia and tropical destinations. They are less dependable for upmarket restaurants, evening bars and resorts with footwear rules. Leather sandals, loafers or clean casual shoes are the safer evening choice.
Can you wear sneakers?
Usually. Clean sneakers fit comfortably within resort casual at most properties, and they help if you are walking between buildings or exploring nearby towns. Running shoes look more casual, but may still be fine at a very relaxed resort.
Can you wear a T-shirt?
Yes, provided the setting is casual. A clean plain T-shirt with neat shorts or trousers works for many daytime resort situations. For dinner, a polo, linen shirt, blouse or collared shirt may feel more appropriate.
Resort casual during the day
Daytime resort casual is usually very relaxed. Think shorts, T-shirts, linen shirts, casual dresses, skirts, sandals, sneakers and sun hats.
Sun protection, heat and humidity matter more during the day than dressing up. Lightweight fabrics such as linen, cotton and breathable blends are particularly useful.
Resort casual at night
Evening resort casual usually means moving one step more polished without becoming formal. For example:
- swap board shorts for tailored shorts or trousers
- swap a beach T-shirt for a polo or linen shirt
- change from a swimsuit cover-up into a dress or separates
- swap rubber thongs for sandals, loafers or clean shoes
You are still dressing for a holiday, not a boardroom.
What does resort casual mean at a restaurant?
This is where the term is most often misunderstood. If a resort restaurant says resort casual, it usually means guests should arrive in proper clothing rather than poolwear: a linen shirt and tailored shorts, a polo and chinos, a casual midi dress, linen trousers and a blouse, a relaxed jumpsuit, or coordinated separates with sandals or loafers.
Very casual beachwear may still be acceptable at a poolside grill but not at the property’s main dining room.
What is resort smart casual?
Some resorts, cruise lines and event invitations say resort smart casual or smart resort casual. It sits between the two codes: the climate-friendly fabrics of resort casual with the extra structure of smart casual.
Men
Lightweight trousers or chinos rather than shorts, a collared linen or cotton shirt, and loafers or leather shoes. A jacket is usually still optional.
Women
A midi dress, a jumpsuit, or tailored trousers with a polished top, plus dressier sandals, flats or a low block heel.
If you are unsure, dress for resort casual at night and lean towards trousers instead of shorts.
Resort casual versus smart casual, resort elegant and beach casual
Resort casual is more relaxed than smart casual, particularly when it comes to shorts, sandals and loose holiday clothing.
| Dress code | Typical interpretation |
|---|---|
| Beach casual | Swimwear, board shorts, thongs and cover-ups. |
| Resort casual | Relaxed holiday clothing suitable for shared resort spaces. |
| Resort smart casual | Resort fabrics with more structure: trousers, collared shirts, dresses and leather footwear. |
| Smart casual | Casual clothing with noticeably more polish and structure: trousers, smarter shoes and more structured pieces. |
| Resort elegant | Above resort casual: trousers instead of shorts, a dressier dress or jumpsuit, a collared shirt, loafers or dressier sandals. |
Some hotels use terms such as resort elegant, resort evening or elegant casual. Those generally sit above ordinary resort casual. If the resort uses more than one dress code, check which applies to the restaurant or venue you are visiting. For a beach wedding invitation, see beach formal.
Resort wear versus resort casual
Resort wear describes a type of clothing: the lightweight, warm-weather pieces people pack for a holiday, such as linen sets, kaftans, sundresses, swim cover-ups, straw hats and sandals. Resort casual is a dress code that tells you how polished those pieces need to be in a particular place.
So a kaftan over swimwear is resort wear, but it may not meet a resort casual code in the main restaurant. A linen dress or shirt and tailored shorts usually does both.
What should you wear at a tropical resort?
Heat and humidity should influence your fabric choices: linen, lightweight cotton, breathable blends, loose trousers, relaxed dresses, short-sleeve shirts and comfortable sandals. A complicated outfit that only looks good in air conditioning is not much use on a tropical holiday.
For destination-specific advice, see what to wear at a Bali resort, what to wear at a Noosa resort, or our Fiji clothing guide for the difference between resort wear and clothing for villages and local communities. Packing? Try our Bali packing list or Noosa packing list.
What is too casual for resort casual?
Depending on the venue, the following may sit below the expected standard:
- wet swimwear
- bare feet away from the pool or beach
- board shorts in an evening restaurant
- gym clothing
- sleepwear
- very worn or dirty clothing
- beach towels worn as cover-ups
- clothing that conflicts with the resort’s published policy
This does not mean those things are inappropriate everywhere. They simply belong in different parts of the resort.
What if the resort does not explain its dress code?
Look at where you are going.
- Pool or beach: swimwear and very casual clothing are usually fine.
- Poolside café: a cover-up, shirt, shorts and footwear may be enough.
- Main restaurant: change into a proper casual outfit.
- Upscale restaurant: move towards smart casual or resort elegant.
- Evening bar: aim slightly more polished than your daytime clothes.
If the resort provides restaurant-specific rules, those take priority over the general term resort casual.
So, what does resort casual mean?
Resort casual means comfortable holiday clothing that looks neat enough for the public areas of a resort. Shorts, lightweight trousers, linen shirts, polos, casual dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, sandals and clean sneakers can all work.
The simplest rule is to distinguish between what you wear in the pool and what you wear after leaving it.
Not sure whether your venue means something dressier? Compare this with smart casual, or browse our dress code guides. Packing for a particular holiday? Explore our travel clothing guides.
Resort casual FAQs
What does resort casual mean?
Relaxed holiday clothing that is neat enough for restaurants, bars and lounges: linen shirts, polos, tailored shorts, chinos, casual dresses, jumpsuits, sandals, loafers and clean sneakers. It sits above beachwear and below smart casual.
What is resort casual for a man?
Tailored shorts or chinos with a linen shirt, polo or casual button-up, and loafers, leather sandals or clean sneakers. Swap shorts for trousers at a more formal evening restaurant.
What is resort casual for a woman?
A casual or midi dress, linen trousers with a top, a skirt and blouse, a jumpsuit or a coordinated set, with flat sandals, espadrilles or clean sneakers.
Can you wear jeans for resort casual?
Clean jeans are not against resort casual, but they are heavy in tropical heat. Linen trousers, chinos or tailored shorts are usually more comfortable.
Are thongs OK for resort casual?
During the day around the pool and relaxed areas, usually. For evening restaurants and bars, leather sandals, loafers or clean shoes are safer.
Is resort casual the same as smart casual?
No. Resort casual is more relaxed, especially with shorts, sandals and loose linen. Smart casual leans towards trousers, smarter shoes and more structure. Resort smart casual sits in between.
What is resort wear?
Lightweight warm-weather holiday clothing such as linen sets, sundresses, kaftans, cover-ups and sandals. Resort casual is the dress code that sets how polished it needs to be.
Do I need to dress up for dinner at a resort?
Usually one step up from your daytime clothes: change out of swimwear into a dress or separates, a polo or linen shirt, and sandals or loafers. Check if the restaurant has its own dress code.
