Swimwear for a work event

r/

I’m (42f) attending a work event Saturday evening at a fancy hotel in town, a poolside cocktail hour. Guests will be colleagues both inside and outside my organization. All will be in swimwear, and so of course I am overthinking what to wear.

Here’s what I’ve decided so far. I will wear a black one piece. I don’t want it to be matronly – I want to look good, but not like I’m trying too hard. I want to look feminine but not slutty.

I have bought three suits but I’m still not sure I’ve found the right one.

Ideas and guidance on what to look for (and avoid!) would be helpful.

For perspective I’m 5’5, 125, 34B/C chest, 26 waist 36 hips.

Comments

  1. AlternativeLie9486 Avatar

    I would not be wearing a swimming costume. Maybe a nice summer dress!

  2. DennisDuffyFan Avatar

    I wouldn’t go or not go in “swimwear” but casual but nice summer clothes, linen pants, polo, jumper, etc … Pool attire for a work event with alcohol is wild and dumb.

  3. EccentricTiger Avatar

    Who sets up a work event with swimsuit attire? That sounds like a nightmare for a lot of folks.

  4. Complete_Aerie_6908 Avatar

    But the black one piece on under a flowy dress.

  5. cookiesncreamoreos Avatar

    this is a wild scenario

  6. skipdog98 Avatar

    There is zero chance I would ever in a million years attend a work-related pool party and, if I did, I would absolutely NOT wear a bathing suit of any style. I would wear a sundress.

  7. bellesearching_901 Avatar

    All poolside cocktail hours I’ve been to I’ve worn a summer dress or linen. Not one time have I worn a swim suit to any work event.
    Are you sure your colleagues aren’t just telling you they are wearing a swimsuits to trip you up?

  8. pdperson Avatar

    a chic coverup

  9. walrusant Avatar

    Black one-piece + sarong = instant chic. You’ve got this

  10. Houseplantkiller123 Avatar

    My wife has a similar build and similar concerns.

    What worked for her is an attire called tunic cover-ups over swimwear.

    It’s a lightweight attire for socializing around the pool (which is what many people do at these events), but it can be removed if you decide to get into the water.

  11. RichardHertz-335 Avatar

    WTF kind of job do you have?

  12. GoddessfromCyprus Avatar

    Wear you black swimsuit and a colourful sarong.
    Don’t swim if you don’t want to.

  13. SpecificBarb424344 Avatar

    How do you know all will be in swimwear? It’s a Sat night event? Fancy hotel. This sounds fishy to me, no pun intended. I’d wear anything but a swimsuit unless you really plan on going in the pool.

  14. KaykayLaPaypay Avatar

    I’ve seen lots of swim outfits that have a dress and skirt combo so you have a swimsuit on but it totally looks like a dress… and with black as your base, you are limitless for color/pattern options. So fun!!

  15. jayellkay84 Avatar

    I recently bought a swim dress. It’s regular swimsuit material but wi the a skirt. And I still wear a coverup over it.

  16. Downinahole94 Avatar

    Show it off, stick it to all the people that don’t take care of themselves.  It’s a good time to flex.   

  17. tickythompson Avatar

    bought this swimsuit and love that u can adjust the sides to get the coverage you want. bonus- it’s on sale!
    target swimsuit

  18. Pixichixi Avatar

    I would add a pair of flowy crepe like pants over the suit

  19. Organic-Class-8537 Avatar

    I’d get a cover up. Tommy Bahama has my favorites—they look like actual clothing.

    No effing way I’d hang out with co workers in a swimsuit.

  20. joesmolik Avatar

    Use the black one with possibly a wraparound. Or possibly look at pictures for a taste and style that you might like that’s goes with your bathing suit.

  21. NonnaHolly Avatar

    I’m going to preface this by stating that I’m an old woman: with measurements like yours, you could wear a bikini ffs.

    As horrible of an idea as I think this kind of gathering is, I advise you to wear whichever swimsuit makes you feel the most comfortable.

  22. engineered-chemistry Avatar

    Bikini under a sun dress. Strut it girl it’s your time to shine!

  23. Similar_Corner8081 Avatar

    No way would I attend a work event in swimwear with alcohol involved. That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

  24. Critical-Cell5348 Avatar

    I’d wear a cover up similar to a dress or a long sarong over the suit.

  25. Valuable-Hope369 Avatar

    Black swimsuit topped with a colourful sarong. You’ll look trés chic.

  26. SwimmingAway2041 Avatar

    Wear a hot pink thong bikini make a statement to your co workers if you got it flaunt it….lol

  27. nicearthur32 Avatar

    this was absolutely set up by a man. They will be in swim shorts and a short sleeve Hawaiian shirt with a tank top under with flip flop/boat shoes.

    I say wear a one piece that covers everything up and wear a cover/shawl. This is not appropriate for a work thing but since its already set, cover up, this is totally meant to gawk at women.  

  28. Knithard Avatar

    I’d wear a caftan.

  29. Bunny_Bixler99 Avatar

    Plot twist: the CEO of the company is Borat 

  30. LJ161 Avatar

    My boss organised something like this and then HR stopped it. How the hell is this okay? What kind of company is this?

  31. Life-LOL Avatar

    Trickle-truthing starts before the party even does, amazing

  32. Confident-Pen4934 Avatar

    Easier if we see pics